Historically a part of Warwickshire, Solihull is today one of the most prosperous parts of the West Midlands conurbation. From its beginnings as a medieval market town, Silhillians throughout the ages have seen almost continuous growth, this also seen in the town's motto Urbs in Rure 'Town in Country'. During the twentieth century the population grew from 7,500 in 1901 to reach six figures in the 1960s. Since then the town centre, which had stood largely unchanged for over a century, has been brought into the twenty-first century and attracts visitors from near and far. Cast an eye over the town over the last century and see how among the changes certain landmarks remain. Compare this to the many outlying villages where Silhillians from the Victorian era would doubtless recognise their homes over a century later.

Anthony Poulton-Smith is a prolific writer, who has written many local history books for Amberley and has a particular interest in the origin of place names. He lives in Tamworth, Staffordshire.