People have their say as Black Country survey results are in
Pride in the Black Country is alive and well and it is still a good place to live - though more investment is needed.
These are the views of the hundreds of people who took part in the Your Black Country survey.
Over two weeks, hundreds of readers took part by answering a series of questions about the region, its culture and its future.
And it has produced some interesting results that give an insight into just how important the Black Country is in this day and age.
It shows that despite the tough times the region has faced lately with job losses and factory closures, the Black Country is still an important part of people's lives.
Of the hundreds of comments that were added to people's responses, there is a sense of pride and determination to keep the Black Country on the map.
But there is also frustration that the area is being overshadowed by Birmingham and other big cities across the country.
This is typified by the resounding opposition to the plans for a West Midlands combined council - and the majority of people thinking that the Black Country authorities should get together and go it alone.
The older generations of readers were the biggest opponents to the idea, with 85 per cent of 61 to 70-year-olds saying it should not happen, compared to the overall result of 60.7 per cent.
The combined council plans were also most popular in Walsall, where 62 per cent backed them, and least popular in Dudley with 57 per cent.
Readers focused on this issue, raising fears that the Black Country would end up being controlled by other areas.
But despite opposition to the combined authority, residents were keen on the idea of a Black Country mayor - and historian Carl Chinn was the clear favourite for the job.
He today spoke of his surprise at the results but insisted he would consider the role if one was ever devised.
Mr Chinn said: "I'm very flattered. There is no such thing as a Black Country mayor at the moment but I'm happy that people think I would be capable of it.
"If there is such an office, whoever stands needs to put the region first and foremost.
"If there were to be such a post, and people felt I could so it, I would seriously think about it.
"I'm a historian, I'm not a politician, but I do love this region. I'm not sure I would really be qualified to take it on, and whoever did it would need to focus on making sure the government is not always concerned with the so-called northern powerhouse, and that the region is not controlled by London as it has been for more than 100 years."
People also made their own suggestions for the role, with votes cast for Noddy Holder, Black Country Day founder Gaz Sawyers, Lenny Henry, Frank Skinner - and one for Mickey Mouse.
On the subject of being proud of the Black Country, Wolverhampton came out on top with 92 per cent, compared to 78 per cent in Dudley, 74 per cent in Sandwell and 61 per cent in Walsall.
And there was a huge gulf between the age ranges, with 55 per cent of 0 to 20-year-olds saying they are proud of the region, with 92 per cent of 51 to 60-year-olds saying the same.
This dropped to 78 per cent of 41 to 50-year-olds, and 79 per cent of 71 to 80-year-olds.
Perhaps surprisingly, the majority of people said they found people outside of the area had heard of the Black Country.
A total of 42.9 per cent voted yes, and by area the lowest was Sandwell with 37.6 per cent compared to Dudley's 51.2 per cent.
Though residents are still proud of the Black Country, they feel its identity is not as strong as it was 30 years ago.
Some 45 per cent backed this view, 38.8 per cent saying it was as strong.
A total of 59 per cent said it was not as strong, along with 55 per cent of 61 to 70-year-olds but just 36 per cent of those aged up to 20.
But the long-held view that Dudley is the capital of the Black Country is still supported by 70 per cent of people who took part. This rose to 75 per cent in Dudley itself.
And Dudley came out on top throughout the age groups, though Tipton was also popular among middle aged readers.
It was generally accepted that traditions in the Black Country are dying out, with 70 per cent answering yes, but a surprising number of people still regularly eat Black Country dish faggots and paes.
Some 35 per cent occasionally tuck in to the meal that was once a staple for Black Country folk, and 6.5 per cent eating them every week.
On this day of celebration, this survey gives an idea of what the Black Country is in 2015 - and whether it will still exist in the coming decades.
