Catalogue Number
NMLH.2021.1
Object Name
Beer Can
Title
Barnard Castle Eye Test
Place
Barnard Castle, Durham
People
Dominic Cummings; Boris Johnson; Matt Hancock, Brewdog Brewery
Events
Covid-19 Pandemic
Date
2020
Description
Empty beer can, 'Barnard Castle Eye Test' by Brewdog brewery. The beer can is designed to resemble an optician's eye test chart, with the words on the lower half becoming blurred. The beer is a 'Hazy Durham IPA', and the can is decorated in turquoise, orange and cream.
Produced following a public vote, this beer was named to reference Prime Minister Boris Johnson's then aide Dominic Cummings' trip from London to County Durham during the first Covid-19 Pandemic lockdown. Whilst in County Durham, Cummings travelled to Barnard Castle with his wife and children; when facin media and public outcry, Cummings claimed to have driven to 'test his eyesight' before taking the long journey back to London.
There was significant public and media pressure for Cummings to resign or be sacked, due to the appearance of a lack of regard for the rules imposed on the country during lockdown, where people were advised to stay at home and not travel. Despite this, Johnson and his government supported Cummings, who remained in post until December 2020. It is thought by some that this moment significantly undermined public adherence to the rules of the first lockdown.
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