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The BBC recently published online the results of its 1986 Domesday project, where more than a million people contributed photographs and words about their community.
In Dorridge, a note records the population at 3,000 (compared to about 7,800 now), the popularity of BMX biking and the recently built village hall.
A photograph shows a bustling Forest Court, now empty except for one shop and a pharmacy, as owners Sainsbury’s bid to flatten it for a superstore.
A submission says: “There is a fairly comprehensive pedestrian shopping precinct with ample car parking facilities.
“Shops range from clothing to food, from jewellery to household effects and provide the only source of employment for local inhabitants.”
It adds: “Shops have all been established for some time and rarely does a vacant possession occur.”
Another says: “Further housing development in the area is causing concern among existing residents over the erosion of green belt land.
“A proposed new development of 750 houses on land adjoining residential areas has provoked petitions and objections from locals that too many houses are scheduled to be built.”
A submission about Knowle notes most houses are “£30,000+”.
It says: “Since World War 2, suburban housing estates have spread S.W. from Knowle to Dorridge absorbing the former hamlet of Bently Heath.
“The most recent estates are still being built at Bently Heath where 360, 3 and 4 bedroom, freehold, detached, ‘luxury’ houses are nearing completion at ‘Knowle Keep’ and ‘Tilehouse Green’.”
Another records a “typical” timetable at Arden School:
Monday:Form period-French-R.E.-P.E.
-Maths-English -Science
Tuesday:Assembly-Latin-History-English
Maths-French-Science-Geography-Design
Wednesday:Maths-French-P.E.-Science-
Geography-English
Thursday:Music-Drama-Science-Latin-
French-History-Design
Friday:Design-Maths-English-Geography-
Latin-P.E.
A submission on central Solihull states: “This area of Solihull is rapidly changing.
“New housing and industry are rapidly taking over the once-open countryside.”
A survey of bus passengers found: “Most people felt that the prices were reasonable and that West Midlands Passenger Executive who run the buses provide a good service, but several people were worried about proposals that the bus service might be privatised and that this would mean less frequent services on the less popular routes.”
