Why use the old names and divisions?
There are three reasons. The old systems were more logical, less chaotic. Instead of the present day multiplicity of counties, metropolitan boroughs and unitary authorities, we had a single system which recognized the difference between a town (a point on a map) and a county (an enclosed area of land). Secondly, we avoid the problem of a hyperactive government deciding to change boundaries once again, as has happened several times in the last one hundred and thirty years.

Finally we understand more about our county, our town, our area, by seeing how it has developed over the years. It is remarkable that nearly all the main towns of the present day were in existence at the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, even though their size and importance has varied down the centuries.