In 1959 the country of Barbados was changed from the Vestry system, into a more modern system of local government patterned after that of the United Kingdom.[1] Two main sub-regions known as Districts were formed in Barbados, and the majority of the vestry parish councils, which acted as local government were consolidated and transferred into these larger areas and also the Bridgetown City Council.[2][3] Both were simply known as the Northern and Southern districts, and a third separate area consisted of the City of Bridgetown.[4] Each of these districts were run by Chairmen, and the city with a mayor affiliated with Barbados' political parties.[2]