Letters: Smallest county of all time
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Mr Alan Freke Sir: Roderick Dixon (letter, 15 December) should know better than to imagine that the Isle of Wight was ever England's smallest county. This distinction is held by somewhere much closer to his Somerset home. In 1373 Bristol was createda county separate from both Somerset and Gloucestershire by King Edward III "for all time". At 10,954 hectares (27,067 acres) it is only a quarter of the area of the Isle of Wight.
It temporarily lost county status in 1974 at the last local government reorganisation but by 1996 the Government has promised a return to county status.
Yours faithfully, ALAN FREKE Frenchay, Avon 15 December
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments