Solihull

Solihull (IPA: {{IPA|}}, or {{IPA|}}, or some combination of the two; occasionally {{IPA|}}) is a town in the West Midlands in England with a population of around 120,000. It is a part of the West Midlands conurbation and is located south-east of Birmingham. It is the largest town in, and headquarters of, the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull. Residents of Solihull and those born in the town are referred to as Silhillians and past pupils of Solihull School are called Old Silhillians. The motto of Solihull is Urbs in Rure (the town in the country) although the late Headmaster of Tudor Grange Grammar School in Solihull, Mr A. R. Munday argued that it should more accurately be rendered as Urbs Rure - the word in not being required with the ablative case of Rure.

History

Solihull comes from the name 'soily hill'. It has existed since medieval times when it was founded as a market centre, and it later became an important coaching stop. The town is notable for its historic architecture, which includes many examples of timber-framed Tudor style houses and shops. The historic Solihull School dates from 1560. The Parish church of St Alphege dates from a similar period and is a large and handsome example of classical British Church architecture, with a traditional spire making the Church visible from a great distance.

Related Topics:
Medieval - Coaching - Tudor style - Solihull School - 1560 - Parish church - St Alphege - Architecture

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Unlike nearby Birmingham, the industrial revolution largely passed Solihull by, and until the 20th century Solihull remained a small market town. In 1901 the population of the town was just 7,500, but by the 1960s the population had grown to over 100,000. This growth was due entirely to overspill population from Birmingham.

Related Topics:
Industrial revolution - 20th century - Market town - 1901 - 1960s

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Until the early 1960s the main high street remained much as it must have been in the late 19th Century with several streets of Victorian terrace houses linking High Street with the Warwick Road. The construction of the central shopping area involved the demolition of all these streets together with the large Victorian Congregational Church that had stood on the corner of Union Street and Warwick Road.

Related Topics:
19th Century - Victorian - Terrace house - Congregational Church

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Solihull is now a dormitory town for Birmingham with which it is adjoined.

Related Topics:
Dormitory town - Birmingham

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