Next week is Armed Forces Week. I want to take this chance to thank everyone serving in our Armed Forces and all our veterans. It is because of their dedication, and in many cases their sacrifice, that we live in a free country and it is only right that the country shows its gratitude through Armed Forces Week and of course on Remembrance Sunday. On Monday (23/06) the Armed Forces Day flag will be raised at the Royal British Legion Memorial in Shirley Park to honour the occasion.
I’m proud that we will be launching a new Military History Trail around Solihull to mark Armed Forces Week. We have a rich and often overlooked military past. After the flag raising there will be an invitation-only official first walk of the new trail, and then we’ll be releasing the map to the public and encouraging everyone to take part. I’ll share the link in my column next week. It takes in 11 sites with military connections, including a chapel that was used as a canteen by American troops in WW2, and of course the War Memorial and Calvary Shrine outside St. Alphege Church. The trail is open to all and will be a great chance to learn more about this fascinating part of the history of our town.
Last week I wished our Care Experienced football team luck in their tournament at the weekend. I’m happy to report that they won all their games, but sadly due to goal difference didn’t make the semi-finals. We won’t be calling for a steward’s enquiry though as the experience was more important than the result, they should be incredibly proud of themselves not just for going unbeaten, but for the way they conducted themselves as they represented Solihull at Molineux Stadium, home ground of premier league side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
It must have been amazing to play on a pitch that has been graced by the likes of Mo Salah, Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane. A lot of hard work and dedication went into preparing for their matches, and they should hold their heads high for that as well as winning their matches. There was plenty of work behind the scenes to make this a reality too, so I want to say thank you to the councillors and council staff who supported the team, and to Paragon Bank, Evans Derry solicitors, and Larchwood Development who made generous donations, and finally the two drivers who gave up their time – Danny and Gary, who didn’t just get the team there but also acted as the team’s loudest cheerleaders on the day. A great team effort!
On the same day, OVOS held their annual celebration event at the Renewal Centre in Solihull. OVOS is a council of children and young people with experience of the care system who help to shape the support they get from us. They do incredible work, supported by a great team from Solihull Council, so it’s right they get this moment to look back on all their achievements across the year, with a number of awards handed out and lots of performances and activities including Zumba, ping pong, and a penalty shoot-out. Everyone who went on the day left with prizes, gifts, and a goody bag. Well deserved!
After this week the GCSE and A level exams are finished for the year, so I just want to say well done to everyone who has got through the long exam season, especially those of you who were sitting exams in the very warm weather this week. Hopefully you can get out and relax in the sunshine over the weekend as the start of a long and brilliant summer before you move on to your next steps, whether that’s 6th Form, college, university, apprenticeships or straight into employment. Whatever is on the horizon for you, enjoy the moment now, you’ve earned it!
Speaking of the warm weather, it looks like it’ll be about 30 degrees today and tomorrow at least and staying hot after that. Our parks and pub gardens should be packed, we have learned in Britain to make the most the sun when we see it, but please also check in on anyone vulnerable who might be struggling with the heat and do your best to stay hydrated.
Tuesday 17 June saw the official launch event of a new youth offer in the north of the borough. Smith’s Wood now hosts weekly youth clubs for 8-17-year-olds, aiming to provide new opportunities and foster a sense of belonging for young people in the area. The event also saw the launch of the new youth bus, part of the mobile youth outreach program engaging young people across the borough. I’m really pleased that we’re making things like this happen in the heart of people’s communities, and I want to see as much of it as possible.
Finally, anyone visiting the Core yesterday (19/06) may have seen our Clean Air Day stand. Our team were there to have a chat about air quality in Solihull, including work we’re doing as a council to reduce air pollution across the borough. From our sustainable travel plans with schools and local businesses to upcoming work to tackle indoor air pollution. You can find out more on the council website.
Thanks for reading everyone, stay cool this weekend.
Councillor Karen Grinsell, Leader of Solihull Council.