I visited an award-winning Staffordshire market town and discovered a close knit community that appreciates the lighter side of life

The award-winning town of Brewood has earned the titles of Best Kept Large Village and Staffordshire Community Spirit, and it is not hard to see why. 

The roots of this rural South Staffordshire village are in the Anglo-Saxon times where it flourished as a market town after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century - it has retained its character through timbered houses and Georgian architecture which, to me, is what makes the town so charming. 

It seemed quiet when I first got there on a sunny Wednesday afternoon. Was that because everyone was inside the pubs and cafes, socialising and living their lives of leisure?

The silence was soon broken by the self-proclaimed legend of Brewood himself, Johnathon Boydell, known locally as Bod. 

He admitted that sometimes the fame gets too much. 

"Everyone knows your business around here," he said. "That's the trouble with these small places."

Jokes aside, Bod thinks Brewood is a 'nice place to be'. He has lived there for 20 years, and particularly likes the sociability. 

"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."

Bod recommended we head into his favourite watering hole, The Swan Inn, where we soon met bartender Sally Griffiths. 

Sally was born and bred in Brewood - try saying that three times fast - and loves her 'tight-knit community' that is easy to get around. 

"Everything's so close, everyone's so welcoming and friendly, there are good schools and shops.

"Obviously this pub is the best place to be every day of the week especially on the weekends."

She loves her place of work and the customers so much that she comes in with her friends on her days off and, most importantly, feels safe walking home late at night. 

"When I walk home from work at 12 'o'clock at night I don't feel scared," said Sally, "and you know so many people in the village that if you didn't feel safe you know whose door to knock on."

In the corner by the open fire we met another man called Bod. Never in my life have I met someone called Bod and in Brewood I met two, one after the other. 

"It's certainly an historic place," said Bod number two, who's a keen historian in his spare time. "And we like the pub."

His friend Russ Hopley agreed: "We like the pub, and the general chit chat that goes on here."

The next resident we met was globe-trotter Simon Beasley, who moved from Brewood to New Zealand over ten years ago. He would come back to visit his family every so often. 

The day before Simon was due to fly back to New Zealand last year, he lost his passport, which led to him staying in Brewood for the long-run. 

But it wasn't all bad, he said. He too loves the social and light-hearted community that he hasn't found anywhere else. 

"I just like the whole vibe," Simon said. "Everyone mocks me when I come in here because I'm still in shorts and flip flops, even if it's snowing. 

"But everyone makes an effort here and it's nice. It's my release to come here."

He also likes the town for its good transport links, things to do and nature walks. 

Local gift shop Raynbowzend is run by Judi and David Woodcock, who love their area for the friendly people and the care they have for the town.

"There's a nice energy here and its people are friendly," said Judi. "It's a very caring community."

Her and David enjoy the countryside walks that the small town offers. 

"There are some lovely walks, you haven't got far to go to have a little wander around."

David said it's beauty brings people from all over. 

"You've got the canal that brings people in through the summer," he said. "Even up to the wintertime.

"We've also got a local gardener who cares about the area and keeps it nice."

No wonder Brewood has been honoured with a host of accolades. There's a fantastic atmosphere and so many welcoming locals with fun stories to tell.ed