Setting the Record Straight.
In response to this county confusion a number of local and national
organisations have appeared since 1974 with the aims of promoting awareness
of the continued existence of the ancient and geographic counties. The
Yorkshire Riding Society was established in 1974 to promote the fact
that, despite the abolition of the Ridings as administrative areas,
their old boundaries and those of Yorkshire continue unchanged. The
Friends of Real Lancashire have a similar charter pertaining to the
Ancient and Geographic County of Lancashire. Nationally, the Association
of British Counties (ABC), is dedicated to promoting awareness of the
continuing existence of the 86 traditional Counties of Britain. On a
local level, the Saddleworth White Rose Society was formed in 1998 to
promote Saddleworth's historical legacy as part of the County of Yorkshire
and to celebrate the district's unique identity.
Since 1974 governments and local politicians have tried to allay the
confusion in many people's minds and to stress the continuity of the
Ancient and Geographic Counties and their affiliations.
Michael Portillo, then Minister of Local Government and Inner Cities,
in a reply of 11 July 1990 to a letter about the status of the County
of Avon wrote "I can confirm that the government still stands by
the statement ..... that the local authority areas and boundaries introduced
in April 1974 do not alter the traditional boundaries of counties. The
1974 arrangements are entirely administrative, and need not affect long-standing
loyalties and affinities."More recently, Phil Woollas, MP for Oldham
East and Saddleworth, in a written reply of 8th October 1999 to a question
on County boundary signs around Saddleworth stated:"...I am aware
of the fact that Saddleworth is in Yorkshire. Indeed, I was instrumental
in securing the signs that display this, which are situated on the Lancashire/Yorkshire
boundary." Also Councillor John B. Battye, Mayor and Leader of
the Council, Oldham MBC in a written reply of 27th September 1999 to
a question on the geographic location of Saddleworth replied: ."...As
far as I am aware the county boundaries of Yorkshire and Lancashire
have not been abolished but they have no relevance for local authority
services. The county boundary of Yorkshire is indicated at County End,
Springhead. I would say, geographically, [Saddleworth is in the ] County
of York (part of the West Riding of Yorkshire) but local government
services are provided by Oldham MBC and Greater Manchester Countywide
Authorities [such as Greater Manchester Fire and Civil Defence Authority,
Greater Manchester Police Authority and Greater Manchester waste disposal
authority]".
The message is therefore clear.
• Saddleworth is still in the County of Yorkshire, although adminis
tered by Oldham MBC.
• Oldham is in the County of Lancashire, and shares with Saddleworth
its administration by Oldham MBC.
• 53% of Oldham MBC geographically is in the County of Yorkshire
and 47% in the County of Lancashire
• The boundaries of the Ancient and Geographic Counties of Yorkshire
and Lancashire continued unchanged in 1974.
Do the Ancient and Geographic Counties matter?
Until 1974, the Counties of Great Britain were universally used as the
standard popular geographical reference frame for the Country. The location
of every village, town and city could be simply described by reference
to one of these Counties. We literally knew where we were.
Administrative geography is of course important, but administrative
areas can never form a popular and stable geographical framework because
their names and areas are subject to frequent change.
An ABC pamphlet summarises why the Ancient and Geographic Counties still
matter:
"Whilst each County was probably created with some kind of administrative
purpose in mind, the Counties have long since come to represent something
much more than this. They have become bedrocks of the history, culture
and geography of Britain. They provide an instant means of reference
to different parts of the country, to a set of cities, towns and villages,
to distinctive scenery, architecture and wildlife, to particular industries
and pastimes, accents and dialects, tourist attractions, weather ....
A large literature focuses on each of the Counties, they give their
names to clubs and societies, to teams people play for. Above all else
they are places - places where people live and "come from
Go to part one /
two |
