Flags are signs and symbols of allegiance, and this one flutters prominently above the little office at the entrance to the park where my caravan lodge is located. It is the flag of Westmorland, has existed since 2011, and is based on the coat of arms of the historic county of Westmorland.

That county disappeared in 1974, when the government rationalised local government in the UK into a two tier system of (sometimes new) counties and (usually new) districts. So Westmorland and Cumberland disappeared and Lancashire lost the Furness and Cartmel peninsulas (historically the highest point in Lancashire was the Old Man of Coniston). Replacing all of these was the new County of Cumbria. Across the UK local attachments to and nostalgia for the historic counties has remained strong, notwithstanding the rationality of providing local government services based on medieval boundaries. .

Since 1974 central government has continually tinkered with local government structures and boundaries, to the extent that its overall structure now looks both irrational and thoroughly confusing. Last year the County of Cumbria disappeared after nearly 50 years, along with the 6 districts created in 1974. These are replaced by two new unitary districts - Cumberland, and Westmorland and Furness. So the historic counties have made a kind of comeback, although Furness has not gone back to Lancashire. That would be taking irrationality several steps too far.