I visited the West Midlands village of Hagley and unlocked the secret of happiness among locals

What is the secret to such a happy place? Well, it could be the local Batham's-serving pub, but it goes deeper than that.

The Express & Star's Love Your Neighbourhood feature explores the best of the West Midlands. We chat to residents and businesses, church wardens and shoppers about what they love about their area, and if there's anything they would change.

This week we are in Hagley, a village with a population of around 7,000. It is four miles from Stourbridge, and just eight miles from the middle of Dudley. 

Its tranquil location at the foot of the Clent Hills, coupled with easy transport links, have long made it a popular choice for commuters.

And despite one of the main roads, Worcester Lane, introducing a Co-op Food and a chain barbershop, it remains largely populated by independent businesses - and some really good ones at that.

So, not only is this lovely community largely self-sufficient, but it attracts people that are looking for goods and services they might not find elsewhere. 

My eye was instantly drawn to The Butcheress in all its hot pink glory. Owner of the award-winning business, Rachel, has only been serving the people of Hagley for 18 months after bringing her Bromsgrove branch to Dudley, but wouldn't change it. 

"The village is accessible to everywhere; Birmingham, Worcester, Stourbridge, Bromsgrove, Redditch," Rachel said.

She praised the convenience, community spirit, and the great neighbourhood watch team keeping their village safe. 

"The Co-op is great, there's a barbers next door where lads can get their hair done, and the pub that we can take staff to after work. 

"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."

We went next door to Ikon barbershop which, despite having branches across the West Midlands, is in touch with its local community. 

Barber Will, who grew up in Hagley, loves his neighbourhood for the people, the sports, and for his memorable upbringing.

"It is a great community," he said, "everyone is always smiling, you walk past people and they'll say hello. There is nothing wrong here.

"I'm a big football and rugby fan, and if I want to go and watch the game after work I can go to West One or the Station. It's great, all of it. Whatever sports your into, they've all got it on."

Will was a pupil at the nearby Haybridge School growing up. 

"I always felt safe there, and walking to and from school, and it was a great school as well," he said. 

Down at the King Arthur's Arms, a Batham's pub, we met grandparents Dot and Chris with their grandson James. They were enjoying a spot of lunch on the terrace in the warm weather, and spoke highly of the village they live in. 

"We've got everything we need here," said Dot. "We love this pub too!"

"We've got great transport, you only need to walk through the park and you're at the station," Chris added. 

Dot agreed, saying the buses even run to the countryside. 

"We feel very safe here," she added.  "James can ride his bike around here and there are no worries."

Tom is the vicar of Saint Saviours church on Park Road and lives just around the corner. He loves Hagley for its community, something that is very central to himself and the church. 

"That is really what the church has been about since the beginning of the Bible," said the vicar. 

"We see this through our congregations, the offices that we do such as baptisms, marriages, and funerals, which there is a fun little way of describing - hatch, match and dispatch.

"But yes, we engage with community and that is what I really like about this."

I asked Tom if there was anything he would change about the area - his answer was a mutual one between the people of Hagley that I spoke to that day. 

"The only thing that I would say is that some people drive too fast, and that poses a danger," Tom said. "I would urge them to be cautious so that we can be safe."

Resident John has lived in the village for more than forty years. He enjoys spending time with his family, all of whom live nearby, and says there is plenty to do. He also likes the fact that you'll see a familiar face wherever you go.

"You can walk into the village and see somebody you know," John said. "There are so many friendly people. I'm so proud of the village and everything it offers."