Meet some of the friendly faces and quirky characters we've encountered on visits to West Midlands neighbourhoods over the last 12 months

Throughout 2025 we've been travelling all over our bostin' Black Country, Staffordshire and beyond to visit communities, towns, villages and hamlets and find out for ourselves what makes each place unique and notable.

On our travels we have met some remarkable people, seen some remarkable things and been told some remarkable stories by locals keen to show their home off in the best light.

And as 2025 comes to an end, we have compiled our favourite quotes from residents and workers across the 44 'Love Your Neighbourhood' features for you to look back on

Aldridge - January 25

Ian and Raphaella Cook thought their area was the best around, saying: "Aldridge is a smashing place, it's really great.

"I think the safety of the place is really good. We have had some problems, but it's much better than a lot of other areas, everyone is nice here. It's clean, it's hospitable. When you compare it to town centres like Walsall, it's just much better."

Hagley - March 12

Rachel Edmonds, proprietor of The Butcheress, said: "Everyone is really friendly, it's a nice small community with a great spirit. And we like to do our bit to keep them happy.

"The neighbourhood watch team is really good as well; we all feel safe here, especially when we start early in the morning."

Brewood - March 19

Self-proclaimed legend of Brewood himself, Johnathon Boydell, known locally as Bod, admitted that sometimes the fame gets too much.

"Everyone knows your business around here," he joked. "That's the trouble with these small places.

"It's a friendly place and there're lots of boozers. There's a great cocktail bar that does record nights too. It just has good, friendly people and it's a safe place to be."

Bilston - March 26

"It's like a little community hub, you can walk in here by yourself and you haven't got to worry, there's always someone to talk to," Market Tavern landlady Joanne Horton said. "There's always a conversation to be had, banter going on, we have children in here as well so it's like a little drop-in centre for the entire community which is really nice.

"Everyone can just come together and have a good laugh. We have different games and competitions on each day with prizes to be able to give something back to our customers."

Brownhills - April 2

Resident Sarah Jones said: "It's really brilliant here. I live just above the canal and it can be so pretty most days.

"The people around here are really lovely too. The Jigger is fantastic, I think it's just a genuinely lovely place to live."

Stonnall - April 9

Councillor Phil Whitehouse said: "It's a beautiful village. I think the biggest thing that everyone talks about is the good community spirit that you get here.

"There are a lot of village groups, such as the conservation society, the history society, the gardening guild and lots of entertainment type of groups as well.

"I think it's quite special that people join in. And the other testimony to that is how long people have lived in Stonnall. Some have been here 40, 50, 60 years. It's almost like they love it and they don't want to go anywhere else."

Willenhall - April 16

Councillor Simran Cheema said: "The community spirit here is just immense.

"The Willenhall people have got our own strong sense of identity and our own heritage that we frequently like to champion, and I like to champion too at Walsall Council to make sure that we are not the forgotten town."

Lichfield - April 23

Samantha Royce, 32, of Lichfield, said: "It's really amazing. It's the perfect place to live.

"The views are fantastic and the council really look out for the residents. We have plenty of activities going on, and we welcome everyone and anyone. It's just brilliant."

Sedgley - April 30

Emma Lewis-Taylor said: "I have been in Sedgley for two and a half years now and my favourite thing about it is the people - we have a lot of regular customers who keep coming back and we value them all.

"We just need the other shops to fill up in the arcade to increase the footfall a bit around the town but we are doing ok."

Pattingham - May 7

Tracey Harvey, who moved to Pattingham after living in London, said: "It's great. I used to live in London, so it was good to come here and escape the city life.

"It's peaceful and calm and there is plenty of fresh air. It's a nice change from the city."

Heath Hayes - May 14

Dan Ball, co-owner with his partner Summer Hevican of Chocolate Treasures, an award-winning independent chocolate shop on the high street and resident of Heath Hayes, said: "I think it's the community. The fact that we have people walk past, they aren't pressured to buy anything, they just drop in to have a chat and enjoy the interaction and the community, that's what we love the most.

"It is quite an independently run high street, we only have a few chains, not that many, and people do use the independent shops, and we all support each other. It's really amazing."

Tettenhall - May 21

Musician and all-round creative Paul Bloom moved to the area with his wife Emma this year, and said he has "never been happier".

"The reason Tettenhall brings out creativity is because it reminds you of peace," said Paul. "It's difficult to be creative when you're worried about your wellbeing.

"It is so peaceful, the people are kind, and there is so much positive energy. It gives you the freedom to explore yourself. That's the importance of a community, to provide everyone with the foundations they need. And the greengrocers always gives my dog a carrot!"

Codsall - May 28

Jae Fitzpatrick, who works at The Crown in the village, said: “It's a nice, quiet little village. It's quite a close-knit community. You see a lot of the same locals come in every single day.