Carl Chinn thanks listeners as he bows out from BBC radio show

It was an emotional two hours for me presenting my BBC WM programme last Sunday, as I announced that it would be the last time that I would be able to do so. After 19 years of successful broadcasting, the station's management had decided not to renew my contract. Of course, that is the prerogative of the management but I am deeply disappointed and saddened at that decision.

I am disappointed most of all because the programme has been very successful, not only in terms of consistently high audience figures but also in respect of giving an opportunity for people to speak for themselves about their lives, their families, their groups, their neighbourhoods and our region. As such, it has been a means for many different people to enhance our knowledge about a variety of issues and for bringing people together.

As I sat in the studio on Sunday, I remembered one of my early programmes in 1994 when a chap from West Bromwich rang in and said how much he liked the show and the topics covered but that he wished that I would do as much on the Black Country as on Birmingham.

As a Brummie, I took on board his comments and worked hard to get out and about to learn more not only about my own city but also about the Black Country – and Cannock Chase, Redditch, Lichfield, Tamworth, Solihull and South Staffordshire.

Looking back there have been many, many highlights since then. Indeed I saw each show as a highlight in which people could speak for themselves - and through that we could all learn more about each other and the region we love. However during my last show I received a message from Andy Horan, a former New York firefighter, who wanted to thank the people of Birmingham and the Black Country for their support after 9.11. That brought to mind a wonderful occasion when the show was broadcast live from the 'White Swan' in Digbeth in March 2002.

Andy and three other New York firefighters had been invited to lead the St Patrick's Parade in Birmingham and during the week beforehand they had been feted by the city's Irish community in particular. I thought it was important that they also experienced something English and local. So I got in touch with Keith Boxley, the famed butcher from Wombourne, and Nigel Brazier, of the equally celebrated Cook Shop in Old Hill.

Keith and Nigel set up to cook in the bar and the New York lads were treated to sausages, pork pies, and pork and stuffing cobs from South Staffordshire as well as faggots and peas from the Black Country. To go with it that day they had to forego Guinness and instead drink fine pints of Banks' mild, thanks to the gaffer, Agnes Creaton an Irish Brummie from Roscommon.

I have so many memories to cherish and so many people to thank for their involvement with the show but as I sit and write this piece I can hear Gerald Hanrahan ringing in to tell me about a Black Country Memories Club event; I am laughing with Sue Hawkins, Jacky Fellows and Deb Nicholls of Fizzog with their distinctive Black Country humour; and I am listening to people talk with pride about their town.

People like Tony Highfield of Darlaston; Jill Guest of Cradley; Terry Price of West Bromwich; Mary Bodfish of Smethwick; Dr Terry Daniels of Oldbury; Ian Bott of Wednesbury; Beryl Wilkes of Coseley; Bev Parker of Wolverhampton; Ron Davies and Roy Hawthorne of Bilston and Bradley; John Brimble MBE of Tipton; Susan Satterthwaite of Aldridge; Clarice Hackett and Tossie Patrick of Blackheath; Stuart Williams of Walsall; Ken Wayman of Bloxwich; and Ned Williams for places across the Black Country.

Importantly there was always Tom Larkin to remind us that the past was a hard place to live in if you were working class; Bernard Hackett of Halesowen, Jean Summerhayes of Willenhall, and Black Country wench Madge Gilbey to enthral us with their poetry; and Brendan Hawthorne, and Ian Henery to bring the present together with the past through their poems.

And there were the youngsters from schools across the region who came in to the show with their teachers to talk about their projects or else to perform with Jon Pye from the Sandwell Rock School. It was vital to involve young people and to make the show relevant to now and the future and not just to then.

That it is why it was essential to draw attention to successful and longstanding manufactures such as Griffin-Woodhouse of Cradley Heath; and to listen in awe to the skills of working men like Bill Pinchers and his pals, Billy, Mark, Jason and Ray – all of whose very beings are infused with a passion for the making of steel.

Looking at our region today and tomorrow is why guests like Phil Pitt of Tividale and Rudy Parkes MBE of Dudley were as crucial. Firefighters in the West Midlands Fire Service, year after year they went with others from our region to help build homes for orphans in Romania and to bring hope to those who had been abandoned.

There were many volunteers from local good causes and charities who also opened our eyes and our hearts to the importance of giving and volunteering here. Most recently these have included the Silver Scheme Project in Walsall, the Developing Compassionate Communities project in Sandwell and the St John's Church Preservation Group in Kates Hill.

And as I finish writing this 'thank you', I am listening to the stunning collection of songs called 'The Black Country and Me' put together by John Langford and featuring various wonderful singers and musicians so as to raise funds for Dudley Cancer Support at the White House. The haunting 'Iron and Chains' by Keith Judson has just finished and I have rewound to play again to one of the most moving and captivating songs written about our people. It is 'Bricklayer's Beautiful Daughter', sung by Billy Spakemon to the music of Lozz Hipkiss – a partnership to which the Black Country owes much.

I am sorry that I have not been able to mention everyone who has meant so much to me – to have done so would have filled several editions of the 'Express and Star'. But please accept my thanks to all of you who were guests and all of you who were listeners. I believe that together we have told some remarkable stories and that we have created some remarkable programmes – and in so doing we have made a difference for the better in and for our region.

I am saddened that we cannot continue to do so.