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

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.

“It's a beautiful place to visit. A lot of people are traveling to Codsall, because we host a lot of big events, especially in this pub, word-of-mouth events, things like that.

“It can get really busy on the weekends, but also during the week. On the weekend, it picks up - it's like a big party.”

Shifnal - June 4

Samantha Norbury said: “It’s a very friendly town.

“They've got a lot of convenience stores here, some nice places to shop. It's a lovely place - nice and busy.”

Tipton - June 11

Zack Yiallourou, manager at Victoria Chippy and Tipton local, said: "It's great here. We have owned the shop for around six years now. It's really lovely, our shoppers are really great.

"We're all very polite, very respectful. It's really great. They come in and they laugh and joke and we have football banter, It's really great."

Wordsley - June 18

Resident Bob James said: "I have lived in Wordsley most of my life and I am interested in old photographs and the history of the area. I tell people about the Wordsley Waterfall which sometimes confuses people but it is kind of where the River Stour winds around to the Stourbridge Canal - you need to experience it for yourself.

"But there are some lovely walks around here and the area is steeped in history and heritage, whether that be from the traditional industry of glass which still makes its mark pretty much opposite this pub, to the canal and waterways of the area."

Cheslyn Hay - June 25

Les Pickerill said: "You get people coming into Cheslyn Hay and while it's got nothing special to it if you're driving around as a stranger, once you live here, you never leave and people that leave come back.

"It's got something about it, this village, that you can't quite put your finger on.

Eccleshall - July 2

Florist Amanda Alldritt said: “It’s just a really lovely community. You can’t go to the shop without seeing somebody you know and saying 'hi' which is really lovely.

“You never get any trouble, everyone’s friendly and looks out for each other. It’s just a really lovely place to be.”

Albrighton - July 9

Kat Callaghan, owner and barista at One Shot Café, said: "It's a cute little town, the people are so friendly. Nice and kind. We're from out of town but they still welcome us.

"There's a lot to do. Close by you have Telford and the Iron Bridge, there's a hiking area - it's for everyone really."

Gnosall - July 16

"We've lived here for 60 years and we love the fact that it's surrounded by countryside," Diane Thacker, a resident for almost 60 years, said.

"There are lots of walks that you can do and everywhere you go there's a bit of greenery which is lovely."

Wombourne - July 23

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.

Bridgnorth - July 30

Tom Burgoyne, originally from Glasgow, said: “There's a lot to see. It's a nice little town. Things to do here as well.

“There’s a lot of little shops where you can buy local goods. And you can see a lot of history in that industry.”

Cleobury Mortimer - August 6

Martin Evans said: “It's a traditional place. This is a lovely place to visit. While we call it a village, it's a bit more than a village these days. They are like mini-towns right now.

“The high street is lovely, yeah, and then that's just a really nice place to visit.”

Chase Terrace - August 13

"We love to sit here because different people go by and they're all friendly and nice," said Gill Court, who has lived in Chase Terrace all of her life.

Her friend Pam Hawkins added: "Even if you've not met them before - obviously the dogs help - but everyone is lovely. One of our friends has just taken us to Morrisons, and it's things like that, we all do things for each other here. I think that's true with most of Chase Terrace.

Kingswinford - August 20

Engin Caglar said: "I am originally from Turkey and have worked in the south of the UK running businesses in south London and Essex.

"I find the people here are very relaxed and friendly, possibly more so than in London where people don't seem to have as much time.

Penkridge - August 27

"It's the friendly people - that's what makes it stand out," said Jean O'Borne, an 80-year-old Penkridge resident who moved to the village only 12 months ago from the Isle of Wight.

"It's very beautiful. I love coming to the village and just talking to people. I love the people. They're always very friendly and the high street is lovely."

New Invention, Willenhall - September 3

Talking about living in the area, Tracey Badger, manager at The Hive, a community centre in the neighbourhood, said: "It's a lovely place to be.

"I think the people of the community are the best part of New Invention. They are friendly and have strong personalities and are just lovely to talk to."

Haughton - September 10

"There's quite a lot here," said 62-year-old Teresa Jones, who moved to the village two and a half years ago.

"There's a good bus service, the church is very good and there are a few shops - not many villages have shops anymore, do they?"

Bobbington - September 17

Julie Holland, of the Halfpenny Antique and Vintage Centre, said: "If I had to pick one thing, it would be community. It's got lots of different people doing lots of different things. It's lovely.

"At the airport, we have lots of different businesses and people doing different things. But this village is a great place to visit. We also have the vineyard nearby, which not many places have."

Brierley Hill High Street - September 24

Kirsty Wood said: "It's brilliant that we get so many customers in, and there is always so much going on.

"You always have something here to brighten up your day, and it's nice that we are able meet so many new people, and so many familiar faces while we are working here. I love being able to get to know each and every one of them."

Woodseaves - October 1

Pub landlord Paul Treadwell said: "It's a really nice, friendly village, it's a proper old-fashioned village with a school, village hall, shop, and the pub. It has a lot of community spirit about it.

"A lot of people drive through the village and may have never stopped, but then they do and come for a drink, they find that the locals are very friendly and nice to chat to.

"It's a place where people from the village can get together and meet, and get to know the people they are living amongst."

Bearwood - October 8

Julie Shaughnessy said: "There is a good community feel, some nice places to visit for lunch and a high street which is very busy and has a good variety of shops - probably everything you could need in one area.

"The library at Thimblemill Road is a great asset, there is a lot going on there from exhibitions to art to concerts, I sometimes think those facilities are taken for granted but we have a really good venue there which serves the whole community."

Penn - October 15

Eve Painter said: "Working here you get to know a lot of people so you kind of feel like a family almost.

"I really like the area. I've lived here for coming up to 10 years now and I love Penn, it's a wonderful area."

Bilbrook - October 22

75-year-old Barrie Wheeler, who has lived in Bilbrook all his life, said: "It's a beautiful place to live. I wouldn't live anywhere else, and I've been here for 75 years.

"There are a lot more houses about here now than there were when I was growing up, and a lot more cars about now. There used to hardly be any about.

Leamore - October 29

Craig Resnik-Hanson said: "I think it's a decent area and we haven't had any problems, issues or concerns, plus we've got pretty much everything we need nearby in terms of amenities and it's very near to my mum's house as well.

"I never have any trouble and I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from living here as if my friend asked about moving here, I would say there's no reason not to."

Tividale - November 5

Lakee Vaneswaran, who explained he had moved to the area from Sri Lanka, said: "I've been living here for three years now and I've always found the area to be nice and quiet.

"The people are also really nice and I have a lot of customers coming in, so I think this is a nice area to work and live in."

Kinver - November 12

Eileen Tristram said: "It is a nice area and friendly, we go to the Conservative Club quite regularly and obviously there is plenty of countryside around.

"The only thing I would say with the growth of the area is parking can be a problem if you are coming into the centre as it is now pretty much a small market town."

Wheaton Aston - November 19

Faye Peace said: "We're very dog-friendly. A neighbouring town calls us the dog-walking village.

"When I was a kid growing up here, I thought it was one of the most boring places in the world. But then you go and see other parts of the world and you think 'I'm so lucky that I got to grow up here'."

Netherton - November 26

Bev Gregory said: "There is a big community spirit here and a lot of the ladies I work with are from the local area and know each other, and they know the history of the place and are very proud to live here.

"I think what brings people into Netherton is the fact that we've got the canal close by, so there's parts where children can go and do nature reserve things and Bumble Hole is quite popular with the local community, with the school taking children down there as well."

Castlecroft, Wolverhampton - December 3

Colin Ashton said: "I've been here for 23 years and it really is a lovely place to live," he said. "We live down by the Old Wulfrunians club and it's a nice house in a nice area in a nice part of the city.

"The shops and the pub are nice and convenient. My wife has just been in the butchers which is another nice place to have."

Claverley - December 10

"I'm from Wolverhampton, so is my wife. We used to come out every weekend walking with the dog, and we thought we might as well live out here, or somewhere like this," said Alan Reade, tower captain at All Saints Church.

"One of my colleagues - I worked for Tarmac in those days - already lived on the new housing estate in Claverley and he told me that this cottage opposite the church here was for sale.

"So I rang the bloke up and we came over that evening and bought it on the spot, and we've been here ever since."

Highley - December 17

Vicar David Poyner said: "The people are very friendly, it's a very supportive community.

"That's something I've noticed: people will support each other out here."

"Everyone is so lovely and really friendly, whereas where I come from everyone was really miserable," said Karen Sandwell.

"Wherever you go around here the people are always happy to see you."