Hello Solihull 👋

Did you manage to catch the solar eclipse last night? 🌒

For a little while, staring at the sky became the most exciting thing happening on a Wednesday evening, as the Moon passed across the Sun and gave us one of the deepest partial solar eclipses visible from the UK in decades. Around Birmingham, the eclipse reached its maximum at about 7.11pm, with more than 90% of the Sun covered.

If you got a good photo from somewhere around Solihull, hit reply and send it over — we’d love to see it!

Back down on Earth, it’s another busy few days locally. We’ve got a major M42 closure to know about before the weekend, another scorcher on the way, a couple of new brunch spots for the list and loads happening locally, from free live music and family activities to circus workshops, European athletics and some seriously big events just up the road.

So grab a coffee (or something considerably colder ☀️), get comfortable and let’s see what’s happening around Solihull this week.

Let’s get into it…

— Max

This is probably the one to send to anyone you know who regularly uses the M42.

The motorway will be completely closed in both directions between Junctions 6 and 9 from 9pm on Friday 14 August until 5am on Monday 17 August, while HS2 carries out work connected to the new Water Orton viaducts.

The M6 Junction 4a link to the M42 will also be closed, and there’s an added complication at Junction 6: the northbound exit towards the A45 eastbound will be shut too because of separate work at Bickenhill Bridge.

Signed diversions will be in place, but with this being such a major route for the NEC, Birmingham Airport and the M6, I’d allow plenty of extra time if you’re travelling this weekend.

There are then further overnight northbound closures between Junctions 6 and 9 on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 August, from 9pm–6am.

👉 Worth saving this one before the weekend.

It’s another scorcher.

An amber heat-health alert remains in place for Solihull until 9pm on Friday 14 August, with local health teams asking residents to take extra care during the current spell of hot weather.

It’s particularly worth checking in on older relatives, neighbours and anyone who may struggle in the heat — and remembering the basics of keeping hydrated, finding shade and avoiding the hottest part of the day where possible.

The timing isn’t ideal with plenty of families out and about for the school holidays, so keep the water bottles topped up this week!

👉 The alert currently runs until Friday evening.

A useful one to pass on to any families with teenagers or young adults heading off to university this autumn.

The NHS in Birmingham and Solihull is encouraging eligible young people to get the free MenB meningitis vaccine before the new academic year begins.

The temporary programme includes young people born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, as well as eligible under-25s starting university or certain residential further-education courses for the first time this autumn.

Two doses are needed, at least four weeks apart, so it’s worth looking into sooner rather than leaving it until move-in week.

Eligible young people can book through the NHS or participating pharmacies.

👉 Check the NHS eligibility and booking information here.

Here’s a local organisation you might not know much about.

BHBN Radio is a volunteer-run hospital and community radio station which broadcasts 24 hours a day to patients across hospitals including Solihull Hospital, Heartlands, Good Hope and the Queen Elizabeth.

The team recently brought its radio roadshow to Mell Square, with the Mayor of Solihull joining them as they introduced residents to what they do and encouraged more people to consider volunteering.

And you don’t need to turn up sounding like Chris Evans — no previous radio experience is required, with training available for volunteers wanting to get involved.

A lovely little organisation helping provide some company and entertainment to people when they might need it most. 💙

👉 Find out more about BHBN Radio and volunteering.

Steak for breakfast? I’m listening.

Fiesta del Asado on Stratford Road in Shirley is now serving a Buenos Aires-inspired weekend brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 9am.

It’s definitely not your standard eggs-on-toast affair. Think steak and eggs, smoky chorizo, patatas y huevos, beef panqueques and a full Argentino breakfast, alongside strong coffee and all the usual weekend brunch vibes.

If your ideal Saturday morning sits somewhere between breakfast and an Argentinian steakhouse, this could be worth a try.

📍 Fiesta del Asado, 177 Stratford Road, Shirley

👉 Buenos Aires Weekend Brunch — Saturdays & Sundays from 9am.

One independent café I don’t think we’ve given enough love to yet is Swan Yard Coffee & Kitchen on Knowle High Street.

Tucked into the village centre, Swan Yard serves breakfast, brunch and lunch alongside coffee and cake, making it a nice alternative if you fancy somewhere local rather than heading into Solihull town centre.

The menu covers everything from full breakfasts and avocado and eggs to pancakes, brunch dishes, wraps and cakes — and because it’s right on Knowle High Street, you can easily combine it with a wander around the village afterwards.

One to add to the weekend brunch list. ☕🥞

📍 Swan Yard Coffee & Kitchen, High Street, Knowle

👉 Independent breakfast, brunch, lunch, coffee & cake in Knowle.

Brum Rising + Family Jam — MAC (Midlands Arts Centre) Birmingham
MAC Birmingham has two brilliant free events this weekend, starting with Brum Rising: She Creates Takeover on Saturday 15 August, featuring live Soul and R&B from emerging Birmingham artists including SHANON, Olivia, Ocean and Janel Antoneshia, plus DJ sets throughout the afternoon. Then on Sunday 16 August at 3pm, the SURGE Family Jam brings live musicians, percussion, workshops and a kids’ ceilidh to MAC for a fun, interactive session aimed mainly at ages 4–11. Both events are free and drop-in, so they’re easy to combine with a wander around Cannon Hill Park.
👉 What’s on at MAC Birmingham

Toto the Ninja Cat — Birmingham Town Hall
Dermot O’Leary’s popular children’s books come to life at Birmingham Town Hall on Saturday 15 August, with music, comedy and puppetry as Toto sets out to stop an escaped King Cobra causing chaos across London. The hour-long show is recommended for ages 5+, with tickets from £14 for children and £20 for adults.
👉 Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape

Super SEN Summer Fair — Hatchford Family Hub
A welcoming summer fair specifically for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and their families takes place at Hatchford Family Hub on Sunday 16 August from 12pm–3pm. It forms part of Solihull Family Hubs’ programme of free and low-cost activities running throughout the summer holidays.
👉 Solihull Family Hubs Summer Programme

Wild Food Foraging — Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens
Learn what you can safely pick and eat from the countryside during a beginner-friendly WildFoodUK foraging session at Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens on Sunday 16 August from 12pm–3.30pm. The walk explores edible plants and wild foods around the gardens while teaching you how to identify and forage them safely.
👉 Wild Food Foraging at Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens

European Athletics Championships — Alexander Stadium
Some of Europe’s best athletes are competing just up the road at Alexander Stadium, with the European Athletics Championships continuing until Sunday 16 August. Expect world-class sprinting, jumping, throwing and distance events, with tickets starting from around £10 for adults and £5 for under-16s, subject to availability.
👉 European Athletics Championships Birmingham 2026

Circus & Aerial Adventure Workshops — The Core, Solihull
Young people can try their hand at juggling, plate spinning, flower sticks and aerial hoop skills at The Core on Monday 17 August. There’s a session for ages 7–11 from 10am–1pm and another for ages 11–16 from 2pm–5pm, with no previous circus experience needed. Tickets are £25pp.
👉 Circus & Aerial Adventure Workshops at The Core

Baddesley Clinton Book Fair — Baddesley Clinton
Thousands of pre-loved books are waiting to be discovered at Baddesley Clinton’s annual summer Book Fair, running throughout August until Sunday 30 August. There are books covering everything from thrillers and history to children’s stories, with money raised helping to support the National Trust property. Normal admission to Baddesley Clinton applies.
👉 Baddesley Clinton Book Fair

Mrs. Doubtfire The Musical — Birmingham Hippodrome
The West End hit Mrs. Doubtfire has arrived in Birmingham, bringing the much-loved Robin Williams film to the stage with comedy, new songs and big musical numbers. Performances run from Thursday 13 August until Saturday 19 September, with several shows across each week and tickets starting from £28. Recommended for ages 6+.
👉 Mrs. Doubtfire at Birmingham Hippodrome

Summer at Warwick Castle — Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle is going big for the school holidays, with live jousting, the UK’s largest birds of prey display, the firing of the giant trebuchet, Zog, the Horrible Histories Maze and more running throughout the summer. The programme continues until Monday 31 August, with tickets currently starting from £25.35pp.
👉 Summer at Warwick Castle

Birmingham Weekender — Birmingham City Centre
One to get in the diary for the Bank Holiday: Birmingham Weekender returns from Saturday 29 to Monday 31 August, filling the city centre with three days of free live music, DJs, dance, circus, installations and family entertainment. Events will pop up around Bullring, Victoria Square and New Street Station, including an open-air disco, Birmingham Royal Ballet performances and plenty of unusual street entertainment.
👉 Birmingham Weekender 2026

• 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.

P.S. Want your business in front of local Solihull readers? Reply with SPONSOR and I’ll send over our options.

Thank you for being a part of Solihull Spotlight. If you've been enjoying Solihull Spotlight, one thing you can do to help us out, is forward this to a friend. When they subscribe using your personal link below, you’ll earn rewards from us as a thank you. Here's what's on offer: