TOGETHER WITH

Hello Solihull 👋

Half Term & the second May bank holiday is creeping up fast, so if you’re already wondering how to keep the kids entertained without hearing “I’m bored” by Tuesday morning, we’ve got a few ideas for you.

A couple of events going on around us this week. For Eurovision fans, last night gave us the usual mix of chaos, questionable staging and songs you’ll somehow still be humming in three days’ time. And closer to home, for those Villa fans, you don’t need reminding it’s the Europa League final this Wednesday, which means there may be a few slightly hoarse voices and match day nerves across Solihull this week.

In today’s edition, we’ve got local updates, community stories, food finds, creative workshops, live music, half-term ideas and a few ways to get moving locally.

Let’s get into it.

— Max

A quick but useful one for the gardeners among us: Solihull Council has opened renewals and new subscriptions for the 2026/27 garden waste collection year.

Current subscriptions expire on 30 June 2026, with the new collection year running from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. The annual cost has been frozen at £49, and only bins displaying a valid new permit will be emptied once the new year begins.

New permits are being posted from now, and residents are advised to allow 10–15 working days for them to arrive. If you’re renewing, don’t cover your current 2025/26 sticker just yet, you’ll still need it as proof of your current subscription until the new collection year starts.

You can renew or subscribe online via Solihull Council’s garden waste page, or contact Solihull Connect if you’re unable to pay online.

👉 One for the to-do list before the grass cuttings start piling up

As we come to an end of Mental Health Awareness Week, it’s a reminder that rest isn't a reward, it's a necessity. And right here in Solihull, Dr. Gurpreet Solanki has created a space designed exactly for that.

Ananda Pearl Yoga & Wellness offers Yin Yoga, Sound Healing and Menopause retreats for people who spend so much of their lives doing everything for everyone else, but rarely give themselves proper time to pause. If that sounds familiar, this might be the class you've been putting off giving yourself.

My wife and I attended the Wednesday evening Yin Yoga class and honestly, we loved it. The room is calm, candlelit and welcoming, and Gurpreet has a real gift for putting you at ease from the moment you walk in. Neither of us had done Yin Yoga before, but by the end we were completely switched off from the week. We'll definitely be going back.

👉 Book a class or explore upcoming retreats here

A big well done to pupils at Lyndon School, whose Active Travel Ambassadors have secured funding to help launch their new Active Travel Campaign.

The pupils pitched their ideas to a Solihull Council panel and were awarded £200 to support plans encouraging more students and families to walk, cycle, scoot and travel more actively around the school community. The campaign also aims to promote safer parking and better wellbeing around the school gates.

It’s a lovely reminder that small everyday changes, a walk to school, a safer drop-off, a few more minutes outside, can make a real difference.

👏 Brilliant work from the Lyndon pupils putting their ideas into action.

A big thank you to Stephen from Castle Bromwich for getting in touch and reminding us about Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, one of those local places that’s easy to forget is right on our doorstep.

The historic gardens are a rare example of a rescued Baroque garden, with green space, seasonal events, family activities and plenty of reasons to slow down and have a wander. It’s the kind of place that feels like a mini escape without having to travel far.

There are a few bits coming up too, including Children’s Bug Magnet Craft on Wednesday 27 May, an Introduction to the Gardens Tour on Sunday 31 May, and Blue Moon Circles on the evening of Sunday 31 May.

So if half term is starting to look a little empty, this could be one to add to the list.

👉 Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens

Street food fans, this one’s for you. Digbeth Dining Club’s Summer Tour is coming to Shirley Park on Monday 25 May, bringing a line-up of brilliant traders, proper Bank Holiday energy and plenty of reasons to turn lunch into a little local outing.

Expect the usual Digbeth Dining Club mix: street food, drinks, music and that relaxed “grab a table if you can, try a bit of everything” feel. A lovely one for families, friends, or anyone who enjoys making a decision only after walking past every food stall twice.

⏰ 12–6pm
🎟️ Free entry

👉 Keep an eye on Digbeth Dining Club for trader announcements.

A lovely little midweek nudge for anyone who could do with a friendly start to the week.

Smithtons in Olton run a Monday Sip & Natter from 9am to 10.30am, with unlimited tea and coffee plus a pastry. Simple, cosy and exactly the sort of thing that makes a neighbourhood feel a bit more connected.

Whether you’re catching up with a friend, easing into Monday, or just fancy getting out of the house for an hour, it’s feels like a very gentle way to start the week.

👉 Smithtons - Mondays, 9am to 10.30am

Sip & Paint — The Boat, Catherine-de-Barnes
A relaxed bank holiday evening of painting, sipping and getting creative at The Boat in Catherine-de-Barnes. The session runs on Monday 25 May at 7pm, with all materials and light refreshments included, and no experience needed — just turn up ready to paint something lovely. Tickets are £25pp.

👉 Sip & Paint at The Boat

Cris Wong Painting Class — Boston Tea Party, Solihull
A lovely creative one for anyone who fancies slowing down with a brush in hand. Cris Wong Art Studio runs regular painting classes at Boston Tea Party in Solihull, covering different styles and media across the week, from acrylic and oil to watercolour, sketching and Chinese calligraphy. A nice one to book if your idea of a good weekend involves coffee, cake and a bit of colour.

👉 Cris Wong Painting Classes

The Greatest Showman With Wine — The Core Theatre
Love movies? Love wine? This one might be for you. The Core is hosting a special screening of The Greatest Showman on Friday 22 May at 7.30pm, with themed wines poured at key moments during the film. Expect musical drama, a bit of theatre and a very different kind of cinema night. Over 18s only, with non-alcoholic options available if requested in advance. Tickets from £32.95.

👉 The Greatest Showman With Wine

Umberslade Adventure — Hockley Heath
Half term bookings are now open at Umberslade Adventure, with outdoor fun running across Whitsun week on 25, 26, 28 and 29 May, plus an Adventure by Night session from 6pm on 30 May. Think zip lines, tree climbing, low ropes, woodland activities and plenty of space for kids to burn off some energy.

👉 Umberslade Adventure

Peppa Pig Space Adventure — NEC Campus
A brand-new family adventure for little ones opens at the NEC from Saturday 23 May, as Peppa, George and the family head off on an imagination-fuelled journey into space. The walk-through experience includes hands-on play, gentle storytelling and plenty of preschool-friendly surprises, running through to November. Tickets from £25.

👉 Peppa Pig Space Adventure

Just Start Running turns 2 — Swan Yard & Gail’s
A big happy birthday to Just Start Running Run Club, which turns two this weekend. To celebrate, they’re hosting two local runs next weekend from Swan Yard and Gail’s, bringing together the usual mix of friendly faces, steady miles and post-run coffee. A brilliant reminder that sometimes the hardest bit is simply showing up.

👉 Just Start Running Run Club

Discover Sailing — Earlswood Lakes
Fancy trying something new on the water? Earlswood Lakes Sailing Club is hosting a free Discover Sailing taster session at 2pm on Sunday June 7th, giving local families and beginners the chance to get out in a boat and have a go. A lovely low-pressure way to try sailing without committing to anything bigger.

👉 Earlswood Lakes Sailing Club

The Lumleys Duo — The Farm, Solihull
Ease into the weekend with live music at The Farm, as The Lumleys Duo play on Saturday 23 May from 8.30pm. A lovely one for anyone who wants a drink, a good tune and that cosy countryside-pub feel without heading too far from home.

👉 The Farm Solihull

Aston Villa Fanpark — Utilita Arena Birmingham — Wed 20 May
Villa fans, this could be a big one. Utilita Arena Birmingham is hosting an Aston Villa Fanpark for the Europa League Final, with the main fanpark listed from 5pm and the final screening from 8pm. One for anyone who wants the atmosphere of a big Villa night without trying to squeeze into a pub.
👉 Aston Villa Fanpark

The 30+ Club — O2 Academy Birmingham — Sat 30 May
A night out with a very clear brief: music, dancing and being home at a reasonable-ish hour. The 30+ Club is listed at O2 Academy Birmingham on Saturday 30 May. Tickets from £17.40.
👉 The 30+ Club

• 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 Thursday! 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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