During the Solihull Remembers project to commemorate each of the Borough’s First World War casualties on the centenary of their death, library staff worked with researchers from across the Borough, including a team from St Margaret’s Church, Olton. The names of the 52 men on the war memorial in the church were researched. It was found that there were at least 30 other casualties with a local connection whose names were not included on the memorial.
Continue reading “Olton Remembers the First World War”A Poem for Shirley
In May 2023, for Local and Community History Month, local historian, Gordon Bragg, led a guided walk around “Shirley Street.” Participants were accompanied by Poetry on Loan poet, Jonny Fluffypunk, who then crafted a poem referencing Shirley’s history.
Continue reading “A Poem for Shirley”Solihull Volunteer Infantry
In the face of rising fears of invasion, an association for the defence of Solihull, Knowle and Elmdon was formed in 1797. The association offered to the Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire a troop of horse at least 50-strong, with volunteers comprising local tradesmen and farmers who agreed to serve only within the bounds of Solihull, Knowle and Elmdon. Unlike the militia, which was raised by public ballot and administered by the War Office, the volunteer forces were self-regulating and would only come under the control of military authorities in the event of an invasion.
Continue reading “Solihull Volunteer Infantry”Korean War
Two local casualties of the Korean War (1951-53) are commemorated on Solihull war memorial. Corporal David Nigel Fellows, aged 20, was killed on 7th August 1951, and 24-year-old Corporal Robert Henry Smith was killed on 8th October 1951.
Continue reading “Korean War”Queen’s Baton Relay, 26th July 2022
Having been on a 294-day journey to all 72 Commonwealth countries, the Commonwealth Games baton returned to England on Monday 4th July 2022 for a 25-day tour of the regions. After visiting Sandwell on 25th July, the baton officially arrived in the Solihull Borough at 8am on Tuesday 26th July 2022, when the day’s first Batonbearer, Wayne Elcock (BB001), carried the baton into the grounds of Castle Bromwich Hall Hotel.
Continue reading “Queen’s Baton Relay, 26th July 2022”Elmdon Park – Solihull YAC exhibition
From 15th July 2023 until 14th September 2023, the Heritage Gallery at The Core hosted an exhibition about Elmdon Park, curated by Solihull Young Archaeologists’ Club (YAC).
Continue reading “Elmdon Park – Solihull YAC exhibition”The Solihull Sonnet(s)
If you look up above the Crescent Arcade in Touchwood, you will see a series of relief sculptures on the bulkhead between the Map Room (now known as the Atrium) and John Lewis. The sculpture group consists of 14 panels and was described by Touchwood’s architect, Eric R. Kuhne (1951-2016) in 2000 as “The Solihull Sonnet.”
Continue reading “The Solihull Sonnet(s)”Ramsgate, High Street, Solihull
Ramsgate, just off Solihull High Street, was perhaps the closest to back-to-back housing that Solihull had. One of the cottages (no. 20. High Street, pictured above) faced the High Street, whilst 14 other cottages together with wash-houses, water-closets, coal-houses, ash-pits and a communal pump were situated around a courtyard off a party entrance from the High Street.
Continue reading “Ramsgate, High Street, Solihull”Hampton Manor
The first recorded mention of Hampton Manor estate appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086, and today the current manor house still stands in the heart of the village of Hampton-in-Arden just along from the Parish church where a church has stood since Saxon times.
Continue reading “Hampton Manor”Coronation celebrations in Solihull
To mark the Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday 6th May 2023 – the first coronation of a British sovereign for 70 years – library staff have been researching how previous coronations were celebrated in Solihull.
Continue reading “Coronation celebrations in Solihull”