Good Morning Solihull 👋

The weekend is almost here and there’s plenty happening around the borough.

This morning, we’ve got a new investment in skills at Solihull College, a brilliant way to spend Sunday volunteering outdoors, two Shirley food finds, and a bumper guide to what’s happening this weekend, including beers, plants, crafts, Ancient Egypt and a local fun run.

We’ve also rounded up the latest from Solihull’s sports teams and, if staying local isn’t quite enough, we spotted return flights to Paris for just £34.

Grab a coffee and let’s get into it.

— Max

Good news for the next generation of builders and tradespeople in Solihull.

Plans for a new purpose-built bricklaying workshop at Solihull College’s Woodlands Campus in Smith’s Wood have been given the go-ahead.

The college says demand for its STEM courses, particularly construction subjects, has been growing by more than 30% year-on-year, meaning more space is needed to train students.

The new single-storey workshop will be built on part of the existing campus car park and is designed to significantly increase the number of students who can receive practical bricklaying training.

It’s all part of a wider push to help train the next generation of skilled workers and support the housebuilding and construction industries.

A nice bit of investment in skills and potentially a few future Solihull builders getting their start right here.

👉 Read the full story

Another bit of national recognition for a Solihull independent.

Caroline Creba Fine Jewellery has been selected as one of just 100 businesses nationwide for Small Business Saturday’s Nation’s Favourite Businesses 2026.

The showroom only opened in Knowle in September 2025 and specialises in bespoke jewellery, engagement rings, heirloom redesign and permanent jewellery.

Always nice seeing one of our independents putting Solihull on the map. 👏

👉 Shop Caroline Creba Here

If you've ever walked through one of Solihull's parks or nature reserves and wondered who helps keep them looking so good, here's one of the groups behind the scenes.

Solihull Conservation Volunteers meet twice a month to help look after green spaces across the borough and they're always happy to welcome new faces.

This Sunday 13 September, the team will be working at Packhorse Bridge in Hampton-in-Arden, where previous projects have included meadow cutting, clearing paths, managing willow and removing invasive Himalayan balsam.

You don't need any previous conservation experience either. Anyone aged 16+ can get involved, with tools, guidance and safety equipment provided.

A nice way to spend a Sunday outdoors, meet some new people and leave a little corner of Solihull better than you found it.

👉 Find out how to volunteer

How would you redesign the journey between Birmingham International Station and the airport?

That was the challenge recently given to students from WMG Academy Trust, including young people from its Solihull academy.

Birmingham Airport invited students to come up with ideas for the future of its 585-metre Air Rail Link — looking at how it could become greener, more accessible and better for passengers. 🚝

The project gave students the chance to work on a genuine local engineering challenge while learning more about careers in aviation, infrastructure and engineering.

It also links into Birmingham Airport's wider ambition to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2033.

Pretty cool to think that ideas from local students could help shape how millions of future passengers arrive at Birmingham Airport. 👏

👉 Read more

If you like your coffee independent, properly made and with a bit of personality, Bora Coffee on Stratford Road is well worth knowing about.

The family-run coffee shop serves ethically sourced coffee and loose-leaf teas from across Africa, alongside pastries, homemade cakes and plenty of vegan-friendly options.

It’s the sort of place that feels equally suited to a quick coffee stop, catching up with a friend or settling in for something a little slower.

📍 219–221 Stratford Road, Shirley, B90 3AH

👉 Take a look at Bora Coffee

This one has been sitting on our Shirley list for a while — and the menu looks seriously good.

Cleopatra’s Kitchen specialises in Middle Eastern food, with everything from freshly made mezze and falafel to chicken and lamb shawarma, kofta, grilled halloumi and loaded bowls.

A few things that caught our eye?

🥙 Chicken shawarma wraps
🍚 Mixed grill bowls
🧆 Homemade falafel
🧀 Grilled halloumi with pomegranate molasses
🍟 And plenty of sumac-dusted fries on the side

They were also named a 2025 Restaurant Awards winner for Best Middle Eastern Restaurant in the region.

Definitely one for the “what are we having for dinner?” list.

👉 Have a look at the menu

Shirley Lions Beer & Cider Festival — Shirley
A charity beer festival takes over Shirley Royal British Legion this Friday and Saturday, with a selection of beers and ciders alongside live entertainment from Ray’s Open Mic performers. It runs from 12pm–11pm on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 September, with £10 entry including a souvenir glass, programme and beer/cider tokens — and proceeds going to charity.
👉 The Lions Beer & Cider Festival — Find out more

Oasis Open Day & Plant Sale — Knowle
A lovely community one for Saturday as the Oasis Mental Health Support Garden in Knowle opens its gates for its Open Day & Plant Sale. Pop along between 11am–4pm on Saturday 12 September to explore the garden, pick up some plants and support the brilliant work Oasis does locally. Entry is free.
👉 Oasis Open Day & Plant Sale — Find out more

Craft & Vintage Fair — Hobs Moat
Shop small this Saturday as St Mary’s Church Hall in Hobs Moat fills with local makers, crafts, gifts and vintage treasures. There’ll be indoor and outdoor stalls, plus a pop-up kitchen serving food, cakes and refreshments. It runs from 12pm–4pm on Saturday 12 September and entry is free.
👉 Hobs Moat Craft & Vintage Fair — Find out more

Last chance: Tutankhamun — The NEC
If you’ve been meaning to visit this one, this weekend is your last chance. Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition finishes its Birmingham run on Sunday 13 September, bringing Ancient Egypt to life through huge projections, VR experiences, artefacts and more. Allow around 90 minutes, with tickets starting from £22 for adults and £15.50 for children aged 4–15. Under-3s go free.
👉 Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition — Book tickets

Balsall Common Fun Run — Balsall Common
Whether you want to race it or just enjoy a Sunday morning jog, the Balsall Common Fun Run returns this weekend with races for all ages and abilities. There are mini runs for children from 11am, followed by 5K and 10K events at 12pm on Sunday 13 September, starting and finishing at Balsall Common Primary School. Entry starts from £8.
👉 Balsall Common Fun Run — Enter here

Surreal Solihull — MAC Birmingham
A new free exhibition celebrating Solihull’s surrealist connections opens at MAC next week. Inspired by artist Emmy Bridgwater, who spent her final years in Solihull, the exhibition features new surrealist work from 29 West Midlands artists, from dreamlike paintings and collage to sculpture. Surreal Solihull opens on Wednesday 16 September and runs until Sunday 22 November, with free entry.
👉 Surreal Solihull at MAC — Find out more

⚽ Solihull Moors — searching for that first win
The Moors were denied late on at Gateshead last weekend, drawing 1–1, before a much-changed side lost 3–1 to Leeds United U21s in the National League Cup on Tuesday. They’re back at Damson Park this Saturday against Aldershot Town at 3pm, looking to finally get that first win on the board.

🏒 Solihull Barons — season gets underway
Ice hockey is back, with the Solihull Barons beginning their league campaign away to Nottingham Lions this Sunday at 7.20pm. Their first home action follows next weekend, when they welcome Widnes Wild to Planet Ice in the cup.

🏏 Big final weekend of local cricket
There’s still time to catch some local cricket before the season winds down. Dorridge host Harborne in Birmingham League Premier Division One on Saturday, while Knowle & Dorridge travel to Kenilworth Wardens. Solihull Blossomfield are also at home against Leamington II.

🏑 Hockey returns to Solihull
The hockey season is warming up too, with Old Silhillians Men’s 1st XI hosting Warwick in a pre-season match at Silhillians Sports Club this Saturday at 1.30pm, ahead of their league campaign beginning later this month.

Part of a local sports team? 🏆
We’d love to feature your results, fixtures and club news in Solihull Spotlight. Just reply to this email and tell us what’s happening at your club.

Passport at the ready? Here are some of the best bargain returns we spotted from Birmingham Airport this week… 👀

🇫🇷 Paris — £34 return
📅 Sat 12 → Tue 15 September
✈️ Ryanair
A spontaneous weekend in Paris for less than the price of dinner for two? The flight lands at Paris Beauvais, so remember to factor in the transfer into the city.

🇮🇪 Dublin — £34 return
📅 Wed 16 → Mon 21 September
✈️ Ryanair
Guinness, live music, Temple Bar and a few days across the Irish Sea for £34 return. Hard to argue with that. 🍺

🇮🇹 Rome — £44 return
📅 Sun 27 September → Fri 2 October
✈️ Ryanair
Five nights in Rome for less than £50 return. Colosseum, pasta, gelato… we'll leave the rest to you. 🇮🇹🍝

👉 Our pick? Paris this weekend for £34 return. That's dangerously tempting.

Prices checked Wednesday evening and can change quickly. Cheapest fares usually include only the airline's basic baggage allowance, so always check the final price before booking.

• Bin collections: https://digital.solihull.gov.uk/BinCollectionCalendar/
• Council news + updates: https://www.solihull.gov.uk/news
• Travel disruptions (West Midlands): https://disruptions.tfwm.org.uk/

Thanks for reading Solihull Spotlight 💙 let’s chat again on Sunday! Hit reply and tell me what you want more of next week: family, events, food, deals, walking routes, live music, sport, or hidden gems.

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