The Counties that Never Were

[Grinner]

Something that I think is underappreciated is actually just how much the pre-72 system did change. While often the expansion of urban areas or minor border adjustment was successfully blocked, there's actually a strong history of border expansions at various points.

Just to speak locally, Long Eaton UDC expanded to encompass most of Sawley and Wilsthorpe parish in 1921 and 1934, Derby was expanded to its modern boundaries in 1962, Alvaston and Boulton UDC was established in 1894 and abolished in 1934, Matlock went through several expansions through the 30s to take in most of the surrounding urban settlements, Ilkeston gaining Kirk Hallam in 1934, and that's just the one's I've come across.

It's food for thought really.

Yes, also you have things like various detached parts of counties being tidied up over the years. Of course, the people who are most concerned by historical county boundaries tend to be Traditional County enthusiasts, who like to suggest that their chosen boundaries (basically the 1890-1974 ones) are immutable from time immemorial.