NEIGHBOURS AT LOGGERHEADS WITH STUDY’S ‘WORST PLACE TO LIVE’ CLAIM
Villagers reject findings and say it’s a ‘family-friendly community’
FAMILIES have rejected a claim that their village is the ‘worst place to live in Staffordshire’.
Loggerheads, on the A53 between Market Drayton and Newcastle, was ranked a lowly 1,348 out of 1,372 towns and villages across England and Wales.
But people who live there think the study, which judged areas on natural and architectural beauty, quality of life, and how green they are, is unfair.
Loggerheads ranked in the bottom 100 for its green spaces and the bottom 150 for natural beauty.
But when we visited, we found a friendly, contented community who say they would never consider moving. They said they loved Loggerheads and praised its ‘community spirit’.
Steve Brunsch, of Hugo Way, said: “It is a nice, quiet location. We’ve got the basic facilities and a good community spirit.
“We get the usual problems - roads and some drainage issues at the bottom of the hill. I’ve been here for seven or eight years and it’s a nice place to live.”
Jane Baker, also of Hugo Way, who has lived in the village for a decade, said: “It’s a nice family-friendly community. I have no issues at all really here.”
Neighbour Hazel Wilshaw has lived in the village for 30 years. She has some minor complaints but enjoys living there. She said: “It is nice and quiet. People smile at you and the wood just up the road is really nice to walk through.
“There are some issues with parking up here sometimes with people coming out of the school. You sometimes can’t get your car round but it’s not that often.”
Deb Wellard, of Hemp Mill Walk, said: “I’ve been here 16 years and I love it. I just really like the community.
“It’s a village, but is close to Hanley and Market Drayton. Having the towns so close is really handy. I have no issues whatsoever.”
Deb Sterland, of Fox Hollow, said: “We like it. It’s quite semi-rural and it is nice not having the big town around us.”
Despite widespread support for Loggerheads, some people did criticise public transport. The village is supported by the 64 bus, which runs from Shrewsbury to Hanley, stopping at Market Drayton, Loggerheads, Ashley, Baldwins Gate and Newcastle.
A Ms Williams, of Heathcote Avenue, said Loggerheads was a ‘good place to be’ but added: “What we need is more buses. Unless you drive, Loggerheads can feel quite isolated.