The first county day of 2022 is Shropshire Day on Wednesday 23rd February, the feast day of St Milburga. Shropshire has been described as possessing every variety of natural charm: the bold and lofty mountain, the woody and secluded valley, the fertile and widely-cultured plain, … Continue reading
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Support Historic Somerset – Give an appropriate name for Somerset’s newest council
A new online petition Support Historic Somerset – give an appropriate name for Somerset’s newest council is calling for the new unitary council replacing Somerset County Council to be given a name which does not undermine the identity of Somerset itself. From April 2023, the … Continue reading
8 February 2022
2 responses
A tale of three Somersets
Among the many outrages of the Local Government Act 1972 was the naming of “Somerset County Council”. Whilst this local authority does cover a large part of the historic county of Somerset, it does not cover the highly populated north of the county. Nonetheless, for … Continue reading
1 February 2022
one response
Boost for the historic counties – ‘Cumbria’ is axed!
Moves towards unitary local government in England provide the perfect opportunity to clear up the longstanding confusion between the historic counties and local government, to the advantage of both. Is this opportunity going to be grasped? The latest news about local government changes in the … Continue reading
26 January 2022
36 responses
ABC on social media
A reminder to our supporters that you can also follow ABC on social media at: Twitter: @britishcounties Facebook: @abcounties There are very many social media channels promoting or celebrating an history county or some aspect of an historic county’s history or culture. Some of our … Continue reading
1 December 2021
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Caernarfonshire Day – Sun 28th Nov 2021
Caernarfonshire Day is celebrated on 28th November, the date of death of Owain ap Gruffudd (1100 – 1170). In celebration we present a Map of Caernarfonshire and our portrait of the county. Caernarfonshire (Sir Gaernarfon) is a maritime county in north Wales. A large proportion … Continue reading
28 November 2021
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Bedfordshire Day – Sun 28th Nov 2021
#BedfordshireDay is celebrated on 28th November, the birthday of John Bunyan (b. Elstow 1628). In celebration we present a Map of Bedfordshire and our portrait of the county. Check out the Friends of Bedfordshire Society (also on Twitter and Facebook) for more information about Bedfordshire … Continue reading
28 November 2021
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Lancashire Day – 27th November
#LancashireDay is celebrated on 27th November. On this day in 1295 the first elected representatives from Lancashire were called to Westminster by King Edward I to attend what later became known as “The Model Parliament”. We present our portrait of the county and a Map … Continue reading
27 November 2021
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Essex Day – 26th October
Essex Day is celebrated on October 26th, the feast day of St Cedd, bishop of the East Saxons and the county’s patron saint. Cedd founded many churches, among them the Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall at Bradwell-on-Sea, one of the oldest intact Christian churches in England. … Continue reading
26 October 2021
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Monmouthshire – geographical confusion taken to its illogical conclusion
The biggest challenge facing the identities of the historic counties is their continued confusion with local government areas. Whilst moves towards unitary local government in England provide an opportunity to clear up this longstanding confusion, a quick look at the local government map of Wales … Continue reading
22 October 2021
3 responses