A national article has hailed Lichfield as one of the best places to live in the country. We speak to locals and visitors to see what they make of the City.
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00:00 Perfect, yeah.
00:02 So I think we come every Tuesday and I think it's lovely.
00:05 And I mean look at all...
00:07 Tell you what tells me it's a wealthy area, all the banks and the building societies.
00:10 Absolutely, yeah, absolutely.
00:12 So what's the biggest bonus about... because you're an electrical resident?
00:16 No, I live in Cantercourt.
00:18 But it's very nice because it's just up on the Chase.
00:20 So yeah, it's pretty good shopping as well, isn't it?
00:22 Yeah, it's pretty good for shopping.
00:23 What, here?
00:24 Yeah, here, yeah.
00:25 Oh yeah, because you could survive just coming here and not worry about anywhere else.
00:28 Absolutely, yeah.
00:30 So you agree then, you agree that Litchfield is one of the nicest places in the UK, do you think?
00:34 Well, bearing in mind I've only lived...
00:36 Oh no, I was born in Bourneville, but bearing in mind I've not lived in many places, I can't really...
00:41 No, but I'm quite happy with it, yes.
00:43 I think it's very pleasant.
00:45 Absolutely.
00:46 What do you think truly stands out?
00:48 The history, the culture, the living?
00:50 Yeah, it's got some nice architecture, hasn't it?
00:52 Absolutely, yeah, Litchfield Cathedral with the...
00:54 Except it doesn't make a shame the front's so dirty, wouldn't it be nice if they could clean it up?
01:00 Give it a bit of a jet wash.
01:01 Yeah, basically, but then you'd lose half the carvings, wouldn't you?
01:04 Absolutely, yeah.
01:05 And you were saying about the outskirts as well earlier, the...
01:09 I think it's crazy, they're building massive and massive houses.
01:13 No gardens to talk of, no infrastructure to talk of, I just think it's crazy.
01:18 But as you say, it's happening everywhere, isn't it?
01:20 Absolutely, it is, yeah.
01:21 Well, all in all, agree?
01:23 Yes, yes, no, no, I think it's very favourable.
01:25 Ah, that's perfect.
01:26 That's alright.
01:27 Go on then, Dan, follow the way.
01:28 So here with Helen, Hugh and Adrian.
01:30 Yeah, yeah, so Litchfield's been classed as one of the UK's most desirable places to live.
01:36 What's your initial reactions, what's your thoughts?
01:38 Well, I'm not surprised.
01:39 Not surprised? Yeah, that's great.
01:41 I mean, this is an incredibly friendly place.
01:44 My parents used to live in Stafford.
01:46 I moved to Litchfield to look after my widow mother,
01:49 who was still living in Stafford about eight years ago.
01:53 And we were instantly accepted as members of the community.
01:57 And I think that's true of people who do move here,
02:00 that they instantly feel they're part of the community.
02:03 Ah, fantastic. What's your thoughts?
02:04 Well, I actually live six miles away in Tamworth.
02:08 However, I used to work here in the library.
02:11 Litchfield, in my car, is ten minutes away.
02:14 I come here more than probably I go into Tamworth.
02:17 Well, every ten minutes.
02:18 I love Litchfield.
02:21 This is where I would like to live.
02:24 But, as I said, I'm only six miles away.
02:26 So, very desirable for you then, isn't it?
02:28 Yeah. Very desirable for you. And yourself?
02:30 Yeah, I just think Litchfield's a really vibrant sort of place for people of all ages.
02:34 There's a thriving art scene, theatre.
02:38 I mean, every midsummer we have Shakespeare in the Park.
02:41 Absolutely.
02:42 And it's a comedy of erotics here.
02:44 And Litchfield players and various other local groups, you know, put on shows.
02:49 Look at the pubs. There's lots of live music.
02:52 People of all ages, you know, open like that.
02:54 So, people are able to express themselves here.
02:58 It's a very receptive environment.
03:01 I think one of the things that we're hearing the most is everyone keeps on using the word 'community'.
03:05 Yes.
03:06 Which, that seems to have a reaction from there, isn't it?
03:08 Yes.
03:09 I think that's one of the things that stands out most with people.
03:10 Absolutely.
03:11 I would say, you know, as a single woman, I really do wish I lived within walking distance of the centre of Litchfield
03:20 because there is so much going on where, you know, and if I could just walk to these places rather than, you know, drive.
03:27 Yeah, I just think it's...
03:29 But it's true. I mean, there are so many things going on.
03:32 My wife is Japanese.
03:35 We used to live in Japan.
03:37 She has been accepted totally into the community with no problem at all.
03:42 And, you know, most evenings we find either I'm going out to a meeting, council meeting or something like that,
03:49 or she's going out to something. We're busy.
03:53 And lots of people from Ukraine were hosted.
03:57 Yes.
03:58 And in the annual Bauer parade, there were some of the, you know, some of the Ukrainian friends actually, you know, taking part in the Bauer parade.
04:06 It's very inclusive and welcoming.
04:08 It's very welcoming. I mean, at the service on Easter Sunday, one of the Ukrainians who works as a virgin in the cathedral read one of the lessons.
04:20 We've had Syrians as part of our places of welcome in the past.
04:23 Yes, absolutely.
04:24 We've had a Syrian family come in.
04:25 We have.
04:26 Not just a Litchfield community, it's like, you know, everyone's a community.
04:28 Everyone's welcome.
04:29 Well, everyone's welcome. I think that's the point.
04:31 And it's got a big catchment. I mean, there's a lot of villages, part of Litchfield district. And, you know, lots of village hall activities as well, actually.
04:41 I've got to ask as well, is there anything that could use any improvements at all, do you reckon?
04:46 Um, you're better than I'm trying to speak.
04:51 Well, I'm a district councillor, so...
04:53 I was going to tell you that.
04:57 Diplomatic responsibility.
05:00 No, I mean, I think, I mean, people obviously complain about local government. That's what it's there for, isn't it? To complain about.
05:09 But I think on the whole, we, and when I say we, I mean all the parties, are doing a pretty good job of listening.
05:17 We don't always react perhaps as quickly as we might.
05:21 But we do try and react. We do try to listen. And we do try and give people what they want. I don't know what you'd say.
05:27 Yeah, well, I think Litchfield is a victim of its own popularity to a certain degree.
05:32 In that there's a big demand for housing, lots of new housing going up. And that does put a strain on infrastructure.
05:39 Everyone who moves in, you know, often young families want school places. Everyone gets sick sometimes.
05:45 And so, you know, that sort of support infrastructure is needed. Because it's a place people want to live.
05:52 It's perfect.
05:53 You've been a fantastic gentleman.
05:54 Thank you very much for all that.
05:55 It was great.