Local artist and writer Laura Adkins reflects on her memories of Tudor Grange Swimming Bath and shares some pictures she took in March 2007.
Continue reading “Tudor Grange Swimming Bath 1965-2008”Tudor Grange Swimming Bath 1965-2008
Malvern Park
Solihull’s first public recreation ground, Malvern Park, was officially opened on 10th July 1926 by Mrs Maurice Davis of Berry Hall. The name is derived from Simon de Malverne who is known to have owned the site in 1332.
Continue reading “Malvern Park”Solihull Libraries 1920-1947
Public libraries in the Solihull Rural/Urban District were the responsibility of Warwickshire County Council until Solihull Council took over this role on 1st April 1947. At that time there were three libraries in the Solihull Urban District – Olton, Shirley and Solihull. Only the library at Shirley was purpose-built.
Continue reading “Solihull Libraries 1920-1947”National Exhibition Centre
The £44 million National Exhibition Centre (NEC) opened for business on 1st February 1976, the day before it was officially opened by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. The NEC opened on a 310-acre site with six original exhibition halls – 1, 2, 3, 3a, 4 and 5.
Continue reading “National Exhibition Centre”The families of Touchwood Hall
On 4th January 1896, Geoffrey Arthur Martineau (1861-1934) and Jessie Clementina Madeley (1864-1947) were married at St Alphege Church, Solihull. The groom was a 34-year-old widower, listed as a manufacturer, whilst the bride was a 31-year old spinster, and the daughter of the late Charles Madeley JP (1829-1895), gentleman.
Continue reading “The families of Touchwood Hall”Exhibition: A Journey Through Time
A new exhibition at the Core Library, Solihull invites visitors to explore the town’s history.
The free exhibition Solihull Heritage: A Journey Through Time is in the Heritage Gallery on the first floor of The Core until 28th February 2026.
Continue reading “Exhibition: A Journey Through Time”Solihull’s Coats of Arms
The present Armorial Bearings of the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull were granted on 10th December 1975 from a design created by Miss Brenda C. Hands (1931-2016), who worked in the Council’s Technical Services Department. The new Arms replaced the previous Armorial Bearings granted to the then Solihull Urban District in 1948, which were also used by Solihull Municipal Borough and Solihull County Borough.
Continue reading “Solihull’s Coats of Arms”Lavender Hill Housing Association
The Lavender Hill Housing Association Ltd was formed on 5th May 1952 as a private limited company under the Friendly Societies Act. It had 26 members and its members built 14 semi-detached bungalows in Scott Road, Olton (believed to be nos. 92-118) and 12 semi-detached bungalows in Rushbrook Close (believed to be nos. 2-16 and 15-21), with construction starting in summer 1954.
Continue reading “Lavender Hill Housing Association”Knowle Library
To mark the 50th anniversary on 20th November 2025 of Knowle Library moving into Chester House, we take a look at the history of library services in the village. It wasn’t until 1970 that Knowle had its first public library building, but there was a mobile library service from 1948.
Continue reading “Knowle Library”The Crescent Estate
The Crescent Estate was the title given in 1910 to the land enclosed by the houses built along Warwick Road (then Birmingham Road), Ashleigh Road and Streetsbrook Road.
Continue reading “The Crescent Estate”
Solihull Life 