Middlesex Day is celebrated each year on 16th May. Middlesex Day, as with most county day celebrations, has been growing in popularity year on year. 2022 has unquestionably been the biggest event yet with even the Prime Minister (MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip) joining … Continue reading
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Somerset Day 2022
Somerset Day is celebrated on May 11th, commemorating the gathering of his people by King Alfred to battle and defeat the Danes in May 878. You can read our Portrait of Somerset to get a flavour of the many delights that Somerset has to offer. … Continue reading
11 May 2022
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Cumbria County Council 1974-2023 R.I.P.
The axing of Cumbria County Council has passed its last legal hurdle. The Cumbria (Structural Changes) Order 2022 received Royal Assent on 18th March 2022. On 1st April 2023 Cumbria County Council and the district councils in its area will be abolished and replaced by … Continue reading
21 March 2022
8 responses
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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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
Devon Day – 4th June
Devon Day is celebrated on 4th June, the feast day of Saint Petroc. In anticipation we present our Map of Devon and a portrait of the county. Devon is a maritime county in the West Country of England. In the south west of Devon lies … Continue reading
Leicestershire Flag Competition – Time to Press ‘Pause’
Leicestershire is the only historic county of England which does not yet have a flag registered with the Flag Institute. We were delighted, therefore, when BBC Radio Leicester agreed to run a Flag of Leicestershire competition, endorsed by the Flag Institute, to select a flag … Continue reading
29 November 2020
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