We visit a close-knit village near Wolverhampton where locals still practice a traditional art and TV crews recently came to film

This historical village is mentioned in the Doomsday Book, where it formed part of the Seisdon Hundred of Staffordshire, and was held by Hugh of Montgomery, 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury.

The earliest evidence of settlement in the parish is found at Chesterton, a hamlet to the east of Worfield, rather than in the village itself.

Between 600 BC and 47 AD, the area was inhabited by the Celtic Cornovii tribe, who formed the earliest known community in the parish. Their economy was based on agriculture, livestock breeding, cattle trading, and control of the South Cheshire salt-making industry, which brought considerable wealth to the area.

In recent years the village's claim to fame has been its involvement in the filming for the TV adaptation of Murder Before Evensong, when it stood in for the fictional Champton St Mary, with several local spots used on screen.

The production filmed at The Dog & Davenport Arms pub on Main Street, which appears as the village pub in the Channel 5 series alongside other notable village locations like St Peter’s Church and the local stores. 

"It's a great community around here," Charlotte Byrne, landlady at The Dog & Davenport Arms, began. "We've got youngest of around five and the oldest at 98, and it's a lovely mixture where everyone knows everyone and everyone looks after everyone. There's a great sense of community in the village.

"On Sundays at the pub we have the 'God Squad' table because the vicar will come in and sit with all the regulars at lunchtime. We have the young farmers in most nights playing poker and all round there's just a nice mixture of people.

"We host meetings in here, the tennis club and the golfers will be in once a week, there's a book club. Loads of different people from the village come here."

When we came to leave the pub we were introduced to John 'Moley' Sedgwick, a familiar and friendly face around the village thanks in part to his job as captain of the belltower at the local church.

St Peter’s Church is a prominent landmark and one of the oldest buildings in the village, reflecting centuries of local religious life. The church is largely medieval in origin, with parts dating back to the 12th century, though it has been altered and restored over time.

The building features a mix of architectural styles, including Norman and later Gothic elements, which highlight its long history of development. Its stone construction, tower, and traditional layout are characteristic of historic parish churches in Shropshire.

"Worfield means a lot to me," John said. "Although I've only recently moved into the village I used to live up the road in Swancote, and myself and my family have been very much involved in the village for a long, long time.

"It's an unspoilt, virtually untouched village and I think it's going to become popular over the next year after the filming that was done here.

"It isn't many miles from anywhere, but you could come here and feel like you're hundreds of miles from anywhere. You can come to the pub, listen to the birds, hear the church bells ring. It's ideal.

"The feeling here is that people want to keep the village's old-school values. At the church we're struggling to get bellringers, but it's an old tradition and I know I'm getting on a bit at 82 - but if all these old traditions collapse, what the devil is going to happen?

"We practise [bellringing] every Thursday night at 8pm, and that time can be moved if needed. If anyone is interested they can get in touch with me, or contact The Dog & Davenport Arms and they can pass it on to me."

If you are interested in bellringing and would like to take part at St Peter's Church in Worfield contact John Sedgwick on 07971 694005.