Hello Solihull 👋

Somehow, we’ve made it to the final full week of the summer holidays. ☀️

But before the school bags come back out and September properly kicks in, we’ve still got one more week to make the most of and a Bank Holiday weekend waiting for us at the other end of it.

So tonight’s Spotlight is packed with ideas.

We’ve got a big planning decision in Catherine-de-Barnes, national recognition for one of Knowle’s newest independents, an important Bank Holiday travel warning, some brilliant local community stories and a couple of food finds worth adding to your list.

Then there’s the fun stuff…

Outdoor theatre at Packwood, live music in Knowle, boxing at bp pulse LIVE, Earlswood’s 150th celebrations, Birmingham Weekender and plenty more happening over the next few weeks.

If you’re determined to squeeze one last bit of summer out of August, you’ve come to the right place.

Let’s get into it.

— Max

A proposed 49.9MW solar farm covering more than 60 hectares of farmland between Catherine-de-Barnes, Bickenhill and the M42 has been refused by Solihull councillors.

Planning officers had recommended approval, but councillors disagreed over whether the land should be treated as grey belt and ultimately rejected the application.

The scheme would also have included a battery storage facility and a connection to Birmingham Airport’s substation.

The developer now has the option to appeal the decision.

👉 We’ll keep you posted on future developments

Planning a train journey over the long weekend? This one is worth knowing about.

Major HS2 engineering work will close the railway between Birmingham New Street and Water Orton / Coleshill Parkway from Saturday 29 to Monday 31 August.

Replacement buses will operate on affected routes, while some CrossCountry services heading towards the North East and Scotland will be diverted — adding up to 60 minutes to journey times.

👉 Check the Bank Holiday rail changes before you travel

There’s some brilliant recognition for one of Knowle’s newest independents.

Slow Century Records, which opened on Knowle High Street just nine months ago, has been nominated for Best Independent Record Shop at the 2026 Independent Music Awards. 🏆

Run by Solihull local John Ellis, the shop has quickly become much more than somewhere to pick up a new record — hosting live music, taking part in its first Record Store Day, launching its own record label and helping bring even more music to Knowle High Street.

And the national recognition isn’t the only award it’s in the running for. Slow Century Records has also been shortlisted for Solihull Breakthrough Business 2026 at next month’s Solihull Chamber of Commerce Awards.

Not bad going for a business that hasn’t even celebrated its first birthday yet.

👉 Read more about Slow Century Records’ national award nomination

A Solihull chef is heading to a national final after impressing judges with what he can create on a remarkably tight budget.

Nigel Cooke, head chef at Eastcote Park near Barston, is one of just 12 chefs through to the final of the NACC Care Chef of the Year 2026.

The challenge is particularly interesting: chefs have to produce a nutritionally balanced two-course meal suitable for people living in care — with a total food budget of no more than £4.50 per person.

Nigel’s qualifying menu included KFC-style hake with hash brown chip, peas and chickpeas, followed by a mango melba-inspired baked Alaska.

He’ll now cook live in the national final in October.

A brilliant bit of recognition for somebody doing great work right here in Solihull. 👏

There was a pretty incredible birthday being celebrated in North Solihull this month.

Kay, a resident at Chelmunds Court Care Home, celebrated her 104th birthday on 14 August. 🎈

Staff and fellow residents surprised her with balloons and handmade cards before everyone headed into the garden for tea, biscuits and birthday celebrations in the sunshine.

104 years deserves a very big Solihull Spotlight happy birthday. ❤️

Have a community story you’d like sharing. Reply to this email and we’ll get it in.

Fancy breakfast somewhere a little different?

The Stables Cottage Farm in Hockley Heath combines a family-run riding establishment with a café serving home-cooked breakfasts and freshly baked food.

Recent specials have included everything from breakfast baguettes to BLTs, making it an interesting stop if you’re heading towards Hockley Heath or Lapworth for a day out.

👉 The Stables Cottage Farm Menu

Here’s a local business with some serious history.

Wedges Bakery has been baking in Hockley Heath since 1850 — more than 175 years — and is still family-run today.

Everything from its breads and pastries to sausage rolls, scotch eggs and cakes are baked fresh at the Hockley Heath site, with a second café at Dovehouse Parade.

Their giant handmade Scotch eggs have become something of a local favourite, and the original Hockley Heath shop also makes a great pit stop if you’re walking or cycling around the nearby canal.

👉 Wedges Bakery

One last week of the summer holidays and a Bank Holiday weekend waiting at the end of it…

Free Summer Activities for 11–16s — Monday 24–Friday 28 August — Across Solihull
Still looking for ways to fill the final week of the holidays? Solihull Council has free activities for young people aged 11–16 running across the borough, with everything from boxing and football to DJing, beauty sessions, ice skating and creative activities. Sessions run throughout the week, with different activities available depending on where you live.
👉 Find free activities for young people

King Arthur and the Holy Fail — Friday 28 August — Packwood House
Pack a picnic for an evening of outdoor theatre as The Three Inch Fools bring their wonderfully chaotic Arthurian adventure to Packwood. The performance starts at 7pm, with gates opening at 6pm, and takes place come rain or shine on the tennis lawn. Adult tickets are £23.88, under-18s £13.16 and under-5s go free.
👉 King Arthur and the Holy Fail at Packwood

Summer Jam — Saturday 29 August — Knowle High Street
Knowle is turning up the volume this Bank Holiday Saturday as Slow Century Records teams up with The Ale Rooms, Café Viola and The Vaults for a free day of live music, DJs, food and drink. It runs from 10am until late, with music spanning indie, rock and pop-punk across the four venues.
👉 Summer Jam in Knowle

UK vs USA Boxing — Saturday 29 August — bp pulse LIVE
A huge night of boxing lands on our doorstep this Bank Holiday Saturday, headlined by Britain’s Chantelle Cameron taking on America’s Mikaela Mayer in a world-title unification bout. Caroline Dubois also defends her WBC and WBO lightweight titles against Amelia Moore, with every main-card fight featuring a UK vs USA match-up. Doors open from 3.30pm, with tickets from £40 plus fees.
👉 UK vs USA Boxing at bp pulse LIVE

150 Years of Earlswood Cricket Club — Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 August — Earlswood
A very special Bank Holiday weekend is planned at Earlswood Cricket Club as the Watery Lane club celebrates an incredible 150 years since it was founded in 1876. Celebrations run across Saturday and Sunday, with live music from 8pm on Saturday and Sunday’s activities getting underway from 10am — a great chance to join in with a milestone for one of the area’s longest-running community sports clubs.
👉 Earlswood Cricket Club 150th celebrations

Building Confidence on Wheels — Sunday 30 August — Tudor Grange Leisure Centre
A welcoming community roller-skating session for women and girls of all abilities, including complete beginners. Taking place from 4.15pm–5.45pm, the session includes skate hire, wrist guards and support from female instructors, alongside local organisations offering wellbeing, volunteering and employment support. Tickets are £10pp plus booking fee.
👉 Building Confidence on Wheels

Bank Holiday 80s Night — Sunday 30 August — The Regency, Shirley
Dig out the dancing shoes for a full evening of 80s classics, big tunes and plenty of nostalgia at The Regency in Shirley. DJ Ian Rogers and guests take over from 6pm until 11.45pm for a Bank Holiday throwback. This one is strictly over-30s, and previous events have sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
👉 Bank Holiday 80s Night at The Regency

It’s been another busy week for our local teams…

⚽ Tough start continues for Solihull Moors
The Moors are still searching for their first National League points of the new season after a 3–1 home defeat to Southend United on Saturday. Jacob Wakeling gave Solihull the perfect start after 14 minutes, but Southend fought back with three unanswered goals to take the points. Moors now face a busy Bank Holiday, travelling to Scunthorpe on Friday night before welcoming AFC Fylde to Damson Park on Monday.

🔴 Knowle continue their cup adventure
It’s been a brilliant start to the season for Knowle FC, who followed up their historic first-ever FA Cup victory with a 2–1 win over Stourport Swifts in the FA Vase. Odane Barnes headed the Robins in front before Hayden Purves struck from the penalty spot to send Knowle through to the next round.

🟢 Earlswood’s unbeaten run rolls on
Earlswood Town remain unbeaten in the Midland Football League Division Two after a dramatic 2–2 draw with Coventry Colliery. Abdoullah Kchikech and Jordan McKenzie had turned the game around after the break, only for Coventry to equalise in the 89th minute. The result left the Earls third in the table after five unbeaten games.

👉 Got a result, achievement or local sports story we should be sharing? Reply and let us know!

Birmingham Weekender — Saturday 29–Monday 31 August — Birmingham City Centre
Birmingham’s huge free Bank Holiday arts festival returns for three days, filling the city centre with live music, dance, street performances, installations and plenty for families. Highlights include an open-air disco in Rotunda Square, Birmingham Royal Ballet performances and DJ takeovers — including Huey Morgan on Bank Holiday Monday. Completely free to attend.
👉 Birmingham Weekender 2026

Moseley Folk & Arts Festival — Friday 4–Sunday 6 September — Moseley Park
One of Birmingham’s loveliest festivals returns to its leafy lakeside home with Kingfishr, Super Furry Animals, The Dead South, Frank Turner, The Wonder Stuff and plenty more across three days. Day tickets currently start from £64 plus booking fee, with under-12s free alongside a paying adult.
👉 Moseley Folk & Arts Festival

The Strongman Open — Saturday 5 September — Utilita Arena Birmingham
Some of the strongest athletes on the planet descend on Birmingham for a huge evening of strongman action. Competitors face five tests of strength, speed and raw power as they battle to become 2026 Strongman Open Champion. Doors open at 3.30pm, with the action beginning at 5pm.
👉 The Strongman Open 2026

England v Pakistan Test Match — Wednesday 9–Sunday 13 September — Edgbaston Stadium
International cricket returns to Birmingham as England take on Pakistan in a five-day Test match at Edgbaston. Play begins at 11am each day, with tickets still available for selected days — a big one for cricket fans to have in the diary.
👉 England v Pakistan at Edgbaston

Niall Horan — Tuesday 22 September — Utilita Arena Birmingham
Former One Direction star Niall Horan brings his Dinner Party Live On Tour to Birmingham, with support from flowerovlove. Expect solo favourites including Slow Hands and This Town, alongside newer material. The show starts at 7.30pm, with tickets from £41 plus fees.
👉 Niall Horan at Utilita Arena 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 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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