Hello Solihull 👋

It’s a hot one this week, so before we get into everything happening across the borough, a little reminder to take care in the sunshine. Keep water with you, find some shade where you can, check in on older neighbours or vulnerable family members, and maybe save the big walks for the cooler parts of the day.

That said, there’s still plenty to enjoy locally, from free family activities and summer reading, to countryside pub stops, live music, open-air cinema, community updates and a busy few weeks ahead for Solihull Moors.

And, of course, England are back in World Cup action this Saturday night, with a huge quarter-final against Norway. It’s another late one, but after the drama of the last round, we’ll all be hoping the rollercoaster continues in the right direction.

Stay cool, stay safe, and here’s what’s happening around Solihull this week.

Let’s get into it.

— Max

A huge well done to the pupils, staff and families across Summit Learning Trust, who have raised more than £20,000 for the charity Kids’ Village.

The Trust’s family of schools, which includes schools across Birmingham and Solihull, have been fundraising throughout the year to support the charity’s mission to create the UK’s first respite holiday village for children with critical illnesses and their families.

Kids’ Village is designed to give families a much-needed break away from hospitals, treatment and the daily challenges of serious illness, creating a place where children can enjoy magical moments, spend time with loved ones and simply be themselves.

It’s a brilliant community effort from local schools, and another lovely reminder of what can happen when pupils, parents and staff all come together for a cause that really matters.

👉 Read more at their Just Giving page

A lovely one for families this summer, the Summer Reading Challenge is back at Solihull Libraries from Saturday 11 July.

This year’s theme is Read to the Beat, celebrating the link between stories, music, imagination and creativity. Children can sign up at their local Solihull library, read through the summer, collect rewards and keep their reading going before the new school year begins.

It’s free to take part, families can join at any point during the summer, and the challenge runs until Saturday 5 September.

A brilliant way to keep little minds busy over the holidays and a great excuse to rediscover your local library.

👉 Summer Reading Challenge at Solihull Libraries

A few useful community updates this week from Solihull’s Community Development Team.

First up, Sustrans will be running free bicycle repair drop-ins this August, with sessions at Waitrose on Homer Road and by the entrance to Asda in Shirley. The drop-ins will include bike safety checks, small repairs, security marking and a limited number of free D-locks, ideal if your bike has been sitting in the garage and needs a little summer MOT.

There’s also support available for local charities, community groups and social enterprises, with an online Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Covenant for Solihull workshop taking place in September. The session will give local voluntary and community organisations the chance to share what they’d like from the future relationship between Solihull Council and the VCSE sector.

For frontline workers, Act On Energy is also offering free energy advice training, helping people better support residents who may be struggling with energy bills, fuel poverty or understanding what help is available.

And finally, Sandant Care is running mental health drop-ins for adults across Solihull, offering support, signposting, activities and a welcoming space for socially isolated residents.

A really helpful mix of practical support, wellbeing and community connection and a good reminder that there’s lots happening across Solihull to help people get the right support when they need it.

👉 Bike Repair & Sandant Care Mental Health Drop Ins

A lovely one if you fancy getting just outside Solihull for a proper countryside pub visit.

Set in the village of Rowington, alongside the Grand Union Canal, Tom O’ The Wood is a dog-friendly country pub serving fresh, homemade food with a focus on local suppliers and farms.

It’s the kind of spot made for a slower summer afternoon, canal-side drinks, a relaxed meal, a Sunday roast, or a post-walk stop-off with friends, family or the dog.

A little drive out, but very much worth having on your local food radar.

👉 Tom O’ The Wood, Rowington

A Dickens Heath favourite for everything from brunch and coffee to cocktails, pizzas and Sunday lunch.

Mortons Kitchen, Bar & Deli is open seven days a week, with a relaxed all-day menu covering brunch favourites, fresh cakes, sandwiches, burgers, wood-fired pizzas, evening dishes and a proper Sunday roast.

With its open kitchen, tree-shaded terrace and village-square feel, it’s a great one for a weekend brunch, midweek catch-up or easy dinner close to home.

A proper local all-rounder and a lovely reason to spend a little more time in Dickens Heath.

👉 Mortons, Dickens Heath

Funny to The Core — The Core Theatre — Sat 1 Aug
Solihull’s monthly comedy club returns to The Core, this time headlined by award-winning comedian Stephen K Amos. Expect a big night of stand-up, with Patrick Monahan opening, Joe Foster also on the bill and Andy Robinson hosting. The show starts at 8pm and tickets are £20 plus transaction fee.

👉 Funny to The Core at The Core Theatre

Princess Morning — Resorts World / NEC — Fri 10 Jul
A magical morning for little ones at Resorts World, with Princess Ariane and Princess Chloe bringing dancing, games, bubbles, fairy dust wishes and photo opportunities to the Atrium. The free session runs from 9.30am to 11am and is aimed at children aged 1–5 — perfect for a little pre-weekend sparkle.

👉 Princess Morning at Resorts World

Paint & Sip: Door to the Azure — Paramo Lounge, Solihull — Wed 15 Jul
A relaxed creative night out in the town centre, with Brush Party bringing its Paint & Sip evening to Paramo Lounge. The session runs from 7pm to 10pm, with all the painting supplies provided and step-by-step guidance to help you create your own “Door to the Azure” canvas. No experience needed, just turn up ready to paint, sip and enjoy a midweek catch-up with friends.

👉 Paint & Sip at Paramo Lounge

Bridge Club Open Coffee Morning — West Midlands Bridge Club — Fri 24 Jul
Curious about bridge? West Midlands Bridge Club is holding an open coffee morning at Marion Murtagh House on Warwick Road, giving newcomers the chance to chat with members and teachers, try a game of bridge or mini bridge, and find out what the club is all about. The session runs from 10am to 1pm.

👉 West Midlands Bridge Club Open Morning

Open Air Cinema: Better Man — Tudor Grange Park — Thu 16 Jul
A big summer night under the stars as Tudor Grange Park hosts an open-air screening of Better Man, the Robbie Williams movie, followed by a live tribute performance from JK as Robbie with a full band. Gates open at 5pm, the event runs until 10.30pm, and there’ll be street food vendors, licensed bars and a huge outdoor screen. Suitable for ages 15+.

👉 Open Air Cinema at Tudor Grange Park

Children’s Outdoor Yoga — Baddesley Clinton — Sat 11 Jul
A lovely calmer option for little ones this summer, with a bookable outdoor yoga workshop in the beautiful surroundings of Baddesley Clinton. The session runs from 10am to 11am and costs £5 per child, giving children the chance to stretch, move and enjoy a bit of fresh-air fun.

👉 Children’s Outdoor Yoga at Baddesley Clinton

Empower Wellness Studio — Dickens Heath
A lovely wellness find in the heart of Dickens Heath, with Empower Wellness Studio offering Reformer Pilates sessions in a friendly, small-group setting. Whether you’re brand new to Pilates or looking to build strength, improve posture and move a little better, it’s a great local option to try something new without the pressure.

👉 Empower Wellness Studio, Dickens Heath

Abbey Fields Swimming Pool Opening — Kenilworth — Sat 11 & Sun 12 Jul
A little trip out from Solihull, but a great one for families: Kenilworth’s brand-new Abbey Fields Swimming Pool opens this weekend after a major redevelopment. The new centre includes a 25m main pool, family pool, accessible changing facilities, Poolpod lift and a conservatory-style café, with a grand opening weekend of free water-based activities and family fun.

👉 Abbey Fields Swimming Pool, Kenilworth

There’s plenty happening at Solihull Moors as preparations continue for the new National League season.

The Moors have been busy strengthening the squad, with new arrivals including midfielder Rio Shipston, goalkeeper Nathaniel Ford and defender Jevon Mills, who returns to Damson Park after a previous loan spell with the club.

Pre-season is also now underway. Moors were beaten narrowly by Knowle FC in their opening friendly, but manager Chris Millington said there were still positives to take, particularly from individual performances and the chance to get minutes into the squad.

Next up, Solihull travel to Alvechurch this Saturday, before the Arthur Cup against Birmingham City at Damson Park on Wednesday 15 July, a special fixture held in honour of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, raising funds for the NSPCC and Solihull Moors Foundation.

Fans can also keep an eye out this Friday, when the full 2026/27 National League fixtures are released.

A busy few weeks ahead for the Moors and the countdown to the new season is officially on.

👉 Solihull Moors

Marty O’Reilly — Kitchen Garden Café, Kings Heath — Thu 16th July
A cosy live music night just outside Solihull, with Californian singer-songwriter Marty O’Reilly bringing his bluesy, soulful sound to the intimate Kitchen Garden Café in Kings Heath. A lovely one if you fancy discovering something a little different, with great music, a relaxed atmosphere and one of Birmingham’s best small venue settings. Tickets from £19.

👉 Marty O’Reilly at Kitchen Garden Café

The Sugarhill Gang — The Jam House, Birmingham — Wed 16th July
A big throwback night in Birmingham, with hip-hop legends The Sugarhill Gang bringing the party to The Jam House. Expect old-school energy, classic tunes and a proper midweek night out for anyone who fancies a dance and a trip down memory lane. Tickets from £30.

👉 The Sugarhill Gang at The Jam House

Charlie Puth — O2 Academy Birmingham — Sat 18th July
A major pop night just a short trip from Solihull, as Charlie Puth brings his smooth vocals, huge hits and feel-good live show to the O2 Academy Birmingham. A great one for pop fans, date night, or anyone looking for a bigger city gig without travelling too far. Tickets from £54.

👉 Charlie Puth at O2 Academy Birmingham

• 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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