I visited a South Staffordshire village full of happy and settled residents - including a famous ex-referee

With a growing population of around 2,000 by the middle of the 19th century, an influx of several hundred council houses in the 1950s saw Wombourne increase rapidly in size, going from 3,838 occupants in 1951 to 9,974 within the space of a decade.

As of the 2021 census the village was home to 13,800 people, 47.8 per cent of them aged 50 and over, and it is clear to see a lot of what goes on in Wombourne is aimed at that demographic.

While the sun might not have been shining down as much as in previous weeks there was still a great turnout at one of the village's most popular weekly events - the over-50s afternoon game at Wombourne Bowls Club.

One of those playing was Pat Fieldhouse, a Wombourne resident for the best part of six decades and, by all accounts, a dab hand at bowls.

"It's a very pleasant and very social event, very much [a big part of the local community] here," she said. "I've been living here since 1970 and we've got lots more housing now. There are a few estates that have been built which is just a sign of the times, isn't it?"

John Coyle, a former boxing referee who oversaw more than 100 title bouts and shared the ring with Mike Tyson, Chris Eubank Sr and Lennox Lewis, has lived in the village since he moved up from London in 1964. 

"Wombourne was a lot smaller then and a bit more intimate, if I can use that word," he explained. "You knew a lot more people.

"The numbers in Wombourne now have really grown, but it's still got a village feel and I still love it here, it's great. The [community spirit] has always been good and I've got no intention of going anywhere else.

And when asked to name the biggest difference he found when moving up to the village from the capital Mr Coyle, who also officiated on the legendary TV show Gladiators, gave an unsurprising answer.

"The friendliness," he replied. "We'd bought a house in advance and moved up, and within 10 minutes one of the neighbours came round with a tray full of cakes and biscuits. I'm sure that still happens in London, but not quite so much."

Key to any community is the trusted local stores with a deep-rooted history in the village, which led us to the butchers - Boxley's of Wombourne - where we spoke to Lyn Bradburn, an employee who has lived in the village for the majority of her life.

"I've lived here for 60 years," she told the Express & Star. "I moved out to somewhere not far away for about three years but then came back again, and it's wonderful. It's a lovely village that has obviously grown a lot with a lot more houses and a lot more people, but it's still a wonderful village.

"That village vibe, even though now it is one of the biggest villages, is really nice. People here are friendly and it's lovely.

"My mum worked here for 13 years before me and I've worked here for six years, and [Boxley's] has always been that well-known place."

Our trip to Wombourne finished with a chat with one of the village's most well-known residents, popular business owner Manni Massey outside his GM Home Discounts store.

"It's amazing, the people are great here," he said. "I've worked here for 15 years now and it's friendly, you don't get any hassle from anybody like you can do in other places. It's been amazing.

"The area is lovely, our neighbouring shops are all really cool with each other and it's just a friendly place to be."