Good Evening Solihull 👋

With October half-term just around the corner, we've got plenty to help you make the most of the next couple of weeks!

Today we're sharing an important M42 closure warning for next weekend, some encouraging news for families across Solihull, and celebrating the brilliant local volunteers making sure everyone can stay connected to our community.

Plus, we've found Halloween activities from just £5, spooky lantern walks, a local beer festival and plenty more to get in the diary.

On the food front, I popped into The Steamhouse on Solihull High Street for a coffee this morning after BHX Run Club’s 5km, and I haven't stopped thinking about their cake counter since!

And as always, we've rounded up the latest local sporting action and found return flights from Birmingham for just £34 if you're dreaming of a little getaway.

Let’s get into it.

— Max

Good news for families across Solihull! The Department for Education has approved the borough's new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Reform Plan, marking an important step towards improving support for local children and young people.

The approval also makes Solihull eligible for some of the £34 million put aside in government funding, helping to address historic education funding pressures. The three-year plan aims to create a more inclusive and responsive system, with earlier support and better coordination between schools, health services and families.

While there's still work to do, it's a positive step towards ensuring every child in Solihull has the support they need to thrive.

👉 Read more about Solihull's SEND improvement plans

Heading out next weekend? A major stretch of the M42 will be closed from 9pm on Friday 23 October until 5am on Monday 26 October, as work continues on the HS2 railway.

The closure will affect the M42 northbound between Junctions 6 and 9, and southbound between Junctions 9 and 7, with additional restrictions on the M6 and M6 Toll connections.

The closures will allow engineers to install sections of new railway bridges, including work on the Water Orton viaducts. Signed diversions will be in place, but drivers are being encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time, particularly if travelling towards Birmingham Airport, the NEC or beyond.

👉 Check the latest closures and diversion information from National Highways

A small gesture could make a big difference! Birmingham & Solihull Women's Aid has been nominated for Waitrose Solihull's Community Matters scheme, giving local shoppers the chance to support a brilliant cause.

The charity provides vital support to women and children affected by domestic abuse, and could receive up to £1,500 in funding to help continue its work.

Next time you're shopping at Waitrose Solihull, simply pop your green token into the charity's collection box. Voting runs until December, and every token counts!

👉 Find out more about the Community Matters scheme

Here's a lovely reminder of the incredible people making a difference in our community!

Solihull Borough Talking Newspaper is a free service run entirely by volunteers, providing audio recordings of local news and events for residents who are blind or partially sighted.

One of those volunteers, David, was recently recognised by Solihull Council for his fantastic work helping people stay informed and connected to what's happening on their doorstep.

And here's where you could help! The charity is looking for new volunteers to help record stories and distribute recordings, with some roles requiring just a couple of hours every six weeks.

Whether you'd like to lend a hand or know someone who could benefit from the service, it's a wonderful local initiative worth supporting.

👉 Discover Solihull Talking Newspaper and how to get involved

We need your recommendations! Where serves the best coffee and cake in Solihull? Hit reply and tell us your favourite. We'll be trying some of your suggestions and featuring them in future editions!

We popped into The Steamhouse on Solihull High Street for a coffee this morning, and while the coffee hit the spot, it was the incredible selection of cakes and bakes that really caught our eye!

This independent bakery is known for its hand-rolled, freshly baked bagels, made just down the road in Redditch and filled to order. But with tempting doughnuts, cookies and sweet treats lining the counter, it's also a brilliant spot for an afternoon pick-me-up.

You'll find them at 25 High Street, Solihull, open seven days a week. We'll definitely be back to sample those bakes!

👉 Discover The Steamhouse and its menu

If you love discovering independent cafés, Smithtons Food Market on Prospect Lane is well worth adding to your list!

Part café, part deli and food market, this lovely local spot champions fresh ingredients and local suppliers, serving up hearty breakfasts, freshly made sandwiches, homemade cakes and great coffee.

It's also the perfect place to pick up fresh bread or browse the deli counter, with plenty of tempting treats to take home.

Tucked away at 113–115 Prospect Lane, it's a great reminder that some of Solihull's best food finds are hiding just off the beaten track!

👉 Discover Smithtons Food Market

Know someone planning their half-term? Forward them today's Spotlight! From £5 activities to spooky days out, there's plenty to keep the family entertained without spending a fortune.

Thinking about your next steps after GCSEs? Head to Cranmore Park in Shirley on Wednesday 21 October, 2:30–7pm, for Solihull's FREE Apprenticeship and Pathways Show. Meet local employers, colleges and training providers, discover apprenticeship opportunities and chat to current apprentices about their experiences. Ideal for Year 10–13 students, with a quieter session from 2:30–3:30pm for visitors with additional needs. Admission and parking are FREE!

👉 Solihull Apprenticeship & Pathways Show

Calling all young Minecraft fans! Touchwood is transforming into a zombie survival adventure this October half-term, with children entering a specially created Minecraft world to build defences, gather resources and battle spooky zombies! Running Monday 26 to Friday 30 October, there are five 50-minute sessions each day between 10am and 4pm. Suitable for ages 7+, with just 12 places per session. Tickets are only £5 per child, and advance booking is recommended.

👉 Book Halloween Zombie Survival at Touchwood

Looking for something a little spooky this half-term? Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens is hosting magical lantern walks on Wednesday 28, Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October, 5–5:45pm. Follow a guide through the historic gardens after dark, listen to spooky tales and find your way to the Good Witch, with a few surprises along the way! Ideal for children aged 5–10, with costumes encouraged. Tickets are £12 for one child and adult, including a hot chocolate, with additional adults £5.

👉 Halloween Lantern Walks at Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens

Cheers to the weekend! 🍺 St Alphege's popular Beer Festival returns for its 10th year on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October, bringing a fantastic selection of real ales, craft beers and ciders to Oliver Bird Hall in Solihull. Expect beers from breweries including Birmingham Brewing Company, Fixed Wheel and Church End, alongside food and live entertainment. Doors open Friday 5:30–10:30pm and Saturday 12–10pm. Adult admission is £8 on the door, with under-18s free.

👉 St Alphege Beer Festival — Tickets & Details

Get ready for some seriously spooky, squishy fun! The Living Room Teacher is bringing a Halloween Slime Experience to Touchwood on Saturday 31 October, where little slime scientists can mix, stretch and create their very own Halloween-themed slime from scratch. Children can add spooky colours and decorations before taking their creations home. Perfect for ages 5+, with sessions running throughout the day on Jubilee Walk. Tickets are £14.99 per child, and booking in advance is recommended.

👉 Book the Halloween Slime Experience at Touchwood

⚽ Solihull Moors — Cup Win Followed by FA Cup Heartbreak

A mixed week for Solihull Moors, who celebrated a 1–0 victory over Everton U21s in the National League Cup on Tuesday before suffering a disappointing 2–1 FA Cup defeat to Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday. Scott High pulled a goal back for the Moors, but it wasn't enough to keep their cup dreams alive. They'll be looking to bounce back when they welcome Carlisle United to Damson Park next Saturday 24 October, 3pm.

👉 Solihull Moors — Fixtures & Tickets

⚽ Knowle FC — Late Heartbreak for the Robins

It was a frustrating week for Knowle FC, who drew 1–1 away at Daventry Town on Tuesday before falling to a dramatic 2–1 home defeat against Moulton on Saturday. Talib Copeland thought he'd rescued a point with an 85th-minute equaliser, only for the visitors to strike in stoppage time! The Robins will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they host Coton Green on Tuesday 20 October, 7:45pm, at Hampton Road.

👉 Knowle FC — Latest Fixtures & Results

🏒 Solihull Barons — A Busy Week on the Ice

There's plenty of ice hockey action coming up for the Solihull Barons! After a narrow 4–3 overtime defeat to Hull Jets last Sunday, the Barons travel to face Deeside Dragons today (Sunday 18 October), 5:15pm. Next weekend brings a cup double-header, away to Leeds Knights on Saturday 24 October, 7:30pm, followed by Widnes Wild on Sunday 25 October, 5:30pm. Plenty of chances to cheer on our local ice hockey stars!

👉 Solihull Barons — Fixtures & Results

🏉 Silhillians Rugby — Looking to Bounce Back

A tough afternoon for Silhillians RUFC, who suffered a 40–19 defeat against Shipston-on-Stour in their latest league outing. There's another chance to get points on the board next weekend as they welcome Worcester RFC to Copt Heath on Saturday 24 October, 3pm. Why not head down and support your local rugby club?

👉 Silhillians RUFC — Fixtures & Results

🏑 Old Silhillians Hockey — A Win on the Road!

Some positive news from the hockey pitch! Old Silhillians Men's 2nd XI secured a 2–1 away victory over Barford Tigers 3 on Saturday, giving the club something to celebrate. They'll be hoping to build on that result when they travel to face Edgbaston 3 on Saturday 24 October, 3pm. Well done, Sils! 👏

👉 Old Silhillians Hockey — Fixtures & Results

Fancy escaping Solihull for a few days? We've had another look at cheap direct flights from Birmingham Airport and there are some seriously tempting fares popping up.

Birmingham → Dublin
📅 Sunday 25 → Tuesday 27 October
✈️ Ryanair
💰 £34 return

Two nights in Dublin for just £34 return? That's barely the price of a round of drinks! Think cosy Irish pubs, live music, cobbled streets and a pint of Guinness (or two). A brilliant little half-term escape without breaking the bank.

👉 Have a look at Birmingham to Dublin flights

Birmingham → Lisbon
📅 Saturday 21 → Monday 23 November
✈️ Ryanair
💰 £65 return

Fancy swapping the November drizzle for pastel-coloured streets, Portuguese custard tarts and a little Atlantic sunshine? Two nights in beautiful Lisbon for just £65 return sounds like a pretty good excuse to pack a weekend bag! Don't forget your walking shoes for those famous hills.

👉 Have a look at Birmingham to Lisbon flights

Flight prices are per person, based on return fares at the time of writing. Prices and availability may change, and additional charges for baggage and seat selection may apply.

• 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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