sharing Solihull's local history
As a number of the Birmingham 2022 events are being held within the Solihull borough, it seemed timely to have a look at people with a connection to Solihull who have competed in the Commonwealth Games since it started in 1930 as the British Empire Games.
Continue reading “Solihull & The Commonwealth Games”
It is 60 years this year (2022) since the official opening of the Kingshurst Playing Fields, Fordbridge Road, Kingshurst. The day was marked by the first ever Carnival, a parade of floats staged by various groups and organisations. Star attraction was the crowning of the first Gala Queen, and that was me – Brenda Price (now Jephcott) – but oh, what a storm it all caused!
Continue reading “Kingshurst Carnival 1962”
Solihull’s Coronation celebrations were spread over several weeks in 1953, rather than all taking place on Coronation Day itself – Tuesday 2nd June 1953.
Continue reading “Solihull Coronation Festivities 1953”
On Friday 25th May 1962, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited Solihull – apparently the first official visit of a reigning monarch to the town. She officially opened the new Solihull Civic Hall before visiting Solihull Hospital and then going onto Solihull School, which was celebrating its 400th anniversary.
Continue reading “The Queen opens Solihull Civic Hall”
The story of Cicely (pronounced Size-ly) Lucas (née Neale) is the fascinating record of a woman who overcame a troubled childhood, stood up for women’s rights, and achieved her ambition to become a teacher who could make a real difference to her pupils’ lives. She was outspoken, a woman of strong principles and opinions, sometimes overpowering in her manner and often admired rather than liked, but she inspired love and respect from her students and was well regarded in her local community.
Continue reading “Cicely Annie Lucas (1879-1970)”
Lieutenant Gerald George Cates of the headquarters company of Solihull Home Guard (5th Warwickshire), died in Shaftesbury Military Hospital on 20th April 1942 after suffering an abdominal injury during a battle exercise at Imberdown, near Warminster, on Salisbury Plain. He was 44 years old and was one of some 25 officers and men who died as a result of the Imber “friendly fire” incident on 13th April 1942 when a Hawker Hurricane fighter plane (similar to those pictured above) taking part in a demonstration accidentally opened fire on a crowd of spectators.
Continue reading “Military funeral of Lieut G. G. Cates”
17th April 2022 is the 85th anniversary of the laying of the Foundation Stone of St Leonard’s Church, Marston Green.
Continue reading “St Leonard’s Church, Marston Green”
I joined Compton Verney Art Gallery in 2008 as a Gallery Assistant because, although I am an historian, I have always loved art. Compton Verney seemed a treasure house in which to explore and satisfy my never-ending curiosity.
Continue reading “Harry Ellard (1897-1983)”
On 6th March 1867, local jockey John Page (1844-1917) won the Grand National for the first time, riding the Duke of Hamilton’s horse, Cortolvin. He won the race at Aintree by five lengths. Five years later, he won the Grand National again on Casse Tete and, until his retirement in 1880, was one of the foremost jockeys in England and France.
Continue reading “John Page – Shirley’s jockey”
Silhill Hall stood on the corner of Streetsbrook Road and Broad Oaks Road for some 700 years until it was illegally demolished in 1966. An exhibition at the Core Library, Solihull (until 28th May 2022) includes photos and memories from descendants of the Morris family who owned the house 1904-1949.
Continue reading “Silhill Hall”
Solihull Life 