It was recently dubbed the UK's 'grimmest village' by locals who lived there - but not everyone in Featherstone has agreed with that 'unfair' sentiment. The former mining village in South Staffordshire, near Wolverhampton, was criticised for having a number of problems including 'drugs, alcohol, poor infrastructure and overflowing dog poo bins'.
Some believed Featherstone has been left behind compared to other nearby villages. But others have launched a staunch defence of the village located near the M6 and M54 motorways - highlighting its strong community spirit, 'excellent schools' and the regular clubs and events that are held there.
Featherstone can trace its history back to ancient times where it was referenced in the Domesday Book of 1066AD. Its population boomed during the 1920s after a new mine opened, taking the tally of its residents from 39 to 3,000 in just a few years. Today, its population stands at just over 7,000.
READ MORE: I visited 'forgotten' M6 services with a 'ghost bridge' that was once dubbed busiest in UK
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Excellent transport links
Featherstone enjoys excellent transport links to the motorway network. The village is located right next to Junction 1 of the M54 and one-and-a-half miles from Junction 11 of the M6.
It's also positioned next to the A460, allowing easier access to larger towns and cities like Cannock and Wolverhampton. Although it doesn't have a train station, Featherstone is served by a number of buses, including the No's 67 and 70 to Wolverhampton and the No 67 to Cannock.
There are also plans to build a new link road between Junction 1 of the M54 and Junction 11 of the M6, which has become known as the 'Featherstone Bypass'. It's hoped the scheme will free up traffic on the A460, which often gets clogged up with motorway traffic. Read more here.
Countryside on doorstep
While Featherstone is positioned at the edge of the West Midlands conurbation, it is also blessed with swathes of countryside on its doorstep. There are a number of footpaths and bridleways through the countryside, connecting to the nearby villages of Shareshill and Coven, which you can find out more about here.
The National Trust's Moseley Old Hall is located around the corner, too, and Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding National Beauty is just a 20-minute's drive northwest.
Points of interest
Two monuments exist at the junction of Brookhouse Lane, The Avenue and Hilton Road. One of the monuments, adorned with poppies and accompanied by a cross and Union Jack, honours Featherstone's war heroes who "answered our country's call in her hour of need," a plaque on the stone monument reads.
The other commemorates the miners of Featherstone who worked at the Hilton Mains Colliery - which opened in 1924 and closed in 1969 - and other surrounding collieries. The monument consists of a mine cart, with a plaque and the names of miners inscribed in bricks underneath, and a stone monument painted black, resembling a large piece of coal.
It's also worth noting there are three prisons located in Brinsford, a village within Featherstone, which are HMP Oakwood, HMP Brinsford and HMP Featherstone. Read more about life in Brinsford here.
Sadly, the village's only pub, the Red, White and Blue, is no longer open. Residents say they have held meetings and fought over the future of the site. However, vice-chair of Featherstone Parish Council, Cllr Roger Tucker, said: "Like a lot of village pubs, it has fallen by the wayside.
"It is a little bit sad really and it was well-used by the community. That is being now sold and there are now plans - we have met with the developers of that - to develop the Red, White and Blue into a small, I wouldn't call it a pub, there will be an alcoholic-drinking facility within the new development, plus perhaps a shop and some apartments or houses. That will smarten the village up in that respect."
'Friendly' neighbourhood
Villagers say Featherstone enjoys a strong and friendly community. Dean Martin, 74, said: "I come from Rushall and was brought up in the Goscote area (of Walsall) - what's rougher than that? Here, it's like paradise. When you walk along the streets, people say 'good morning, how are you?' You always get one bad apple."
Emma Thompson, 40, who runs Featherstone Cafe, said: "There's a real community spirit in this village. A lady runs a food bank down the road, for the only reason of helping people. The chapel down the road do different fundraising events. Everyone looks out for each other." She added: "Although there's some problems, there's a lot more positive aspects."
A 23-year-old woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "I've lived across from my neighbours all my life, I have never had a problem. I have always felt safe walking around here. I would say it is a bit of bull that Featherstone was considered the grimmest village in the UK.
"Okay, you do get dog poo in the street but you find that wherever you go. You will always have your ups and down like speeding, there will always be drugs. But everyone knows everyone around here, you will always find someone who will help you out. "
Good school and businesses
Ms Thompson, who runs Featherstone Cafe, said: "There's some really good businesses, the hairdressers and the chemist." Her business is celebrating its first 12 months of being open next month. Each Friday, she has a 'special' selection on her menu, which can range from jerk chicken to chicken tikka.
Featherstone Academy, a primary school in the village with a 'Good' Ofsted score, was praised by a number of residents. Also highlighted was Strawberry Poppets Nursery School, which has an 'Outstanding' score.
Vice-chair of Featherstone Parish Council, Cllr Roger Tucker, said: "The health centre provides all the facilities you want. We have a good options in a village. We have a good chemist."
Community groups and events
Featherstone enjoys a number of community groups and events. There is a senior citizen's club, a 'warm Wednesday' group, a friendship club and a group for mothers and toddlers.
Community events are also held at Easter and Christmas, where there's a Santa visit and a community Christmas tree. In addition, there's a gardening club and a team of litter pickers.
A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "The gardening club cleans up areas of our village and makes it look tidy and a nicer place to live, because our community cares. Our team of litter pickers work hard to clean up our area and keep it as tidy as possible.
