Solihull

Solihull town is located in the West Midlands of England having a population of 206,700 as per the 2011 Census. Historically in Warwickshire, it is a part of the West Midlands urban area. It is the biggest town in the larger Metropolitan Borough of Solihull besides being its administrative center as well.

Solihull is the most prosperous town of the West Midlands as also the most affluent areas outside of London. In November 2013, Solihull was termed as the “best place to live in the United Kingdom” by the uSwitch Quality of Life Index. Citizens of Solihull are known as Silhillians. The own carries the motto “Urbs in Rure” meaning “Town in Country”.

The name Solihull is most probably derived from the position of its parish church, St Alphege, which is located on a 'soily' hill. The church was built on a hill of stiff red marl, which turned to sticky mud in wet weather.

Governance

Solihull has 17 wards namely Shirley West, Blythe, Shirley South, Meriden, Elmdon, Lyndon, Smith's Wood, Chelmsley Wood, Dorridge Hockley Heath, Olton, St. Alphege, Shirley East, Silhill, Kingshurst Fordbridge, Castle Bromwich, Knowle and Bickenhill. Each of these wards is represented by three councillors at Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council which elects the mayor also.

Solihull town has several suburbs that include Solihull Lodge, Blossomfield, Haslucks Green, Sharmans Cross, Cranmore,Shirley(considered a sub-town of Solihull), Shirley Heath, Hillfield,Monkspath, Widney Manor,Olton, Lode Heath and World's End.

The satellite towns and villages of Solihull include Castle Bromwich, Chelmsley Wood, Cheswick Green, Dorridge, Dickens Heath, Knowle, Balsall Common, Meriden, Hampton in Arden, Hockley Heath, Eastcote, Barston, Bickenhill, Catherine-de-Barnes and Bentley Heath.

People

• Sir David Baulcombe (b. 1952), Professor of Botany at the University of Cambridge
• Mark Billingham (b. 1961), novelist, actor and screenwriter
• Elizabeth Bower (b. 1976), actress
• Daniel Caines (b. 1979), athlete.
• Karen Carney (b. 1987), Birmingham, England and Great Britain women's footballer
• Stephanie Cole (b. 1941), actress
• Alan Cox (b. 1968), a Linux kernel engineer
• Matthew Croucher (b. 1983), Royal Marine George Cross holder
• Lucy Davis (b. 1973), actress and daughter of comedian Jasper Carrott
• Gary Delaney (b. 1973), British comedian
• Tommy Godwin (1920-2012), cyclist, twice Olympic medallist in 1948 and President of Solihull Cycling Club.
• Will Grigg (b. 1991), English-born Northern Irish professional footballer.
• Amii Grove (1985), glamour model.
• Richard Hammond (b. 1969), BBC presenter of Top Gear
• Richard Harrison, scientist