FreeThink's first topic a year ago was Local Heroes looking at different approached to localism.  It's interesting to see how that debate has continued over the year - and my eye was drawn to this short piece in the economist about the growing sense of shire patriotism.

"One reason for this outbreak of Devonian patriotism, says Mark Stoyle, a Southampton University historian, is rivalry with Cornwall, a neighbouring county with a rather older flag of its own and a proud tradition of waving it. “Devonians have been thinking, ‘the Cornish have a flag, why shouldn't we have one too?'” And he points out that a strong local brand can attract visitors—handy for an area that depends on tourism for its livelihood.

That combines with rebellion against a uniform national culture (the high street in Exeter, Devon's county town, has the lowest proportion of independent shops in Britain) and resentment at the migration of moneyed Londoners to the country. “As we become more homogenised, people cling to things that set them apart,” says Professor Stoyle."

The Economist