Community celebration to mark Knowle’s 750th anniversary
Knowle is celebrating its 750th anniversary with a community celebration.
The event being held on the 21 June is free to attend from 11am to 5pm.
A special family service will start at Knowle Parish Church at 10.30am, with the high street event opening at 11am.
Special guests will attend the official opening ceremony at 11.25am, attended by Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Christopher Loughran, High Sheriff of the West Midlands, Carmen Watson, and the Worshipful the mayor of Solihull, Sardul Marwa MBE.
At 12.15pm, the dignitaries will officially reopen Knowle Library following its major roof refurbishment.
On the main stage uptown by the Red Lion will be Allure School of Dance, Knowle Musical Society, The Knowle Revels Drama Group, George Wilson, Shed Men Walking and The Definitive all take to the stage across the day, with a finale at 4.45pm.
Downtown, Chipsum Gravy and Alcohol Licks perform outside Solihull Music School opposite the precinct, with Solihull Music School themselves performing at Monica's Bakes during the afternoon.
Amy Price will be performing at The Vaults, with the day closing with a grand finale on the uptown stage.
The community zone will bring together some of Knowle's best-loved local organisations from K&D Lions and their ever-popular Ball in a Bog game, to the Royal Air Force Association, Knowle British Legion, Challenge Adventure Group, The Knowle Society, Solihull Rural Police and Central Fast Aid and 1st Knowle Scouts running a Treasure Hunt, and many more.
The Knowle Society's special 750 exhibition will run all day in the Heritage Centre at Knowle Library, with 4,000 digitised photographs to explore and knowledgeable volunteers on hand.
Families can take part in a 750 eye-spy quest along the High Street, and heritage trail leaflets - A Walk Through Time - are free to pick up on the day.
A new heritage board will also be unveiled and new seating in the library courtyard, both donated by the Knowle Society.
The artisan market will bring independent makers and producers from across the region to the High Street - fine jewellery, original artwork, handcrafted goods, artisan products and more.
Street food traders will be offering savoury and sweet food alongside butchers Eric Lyons serving outside their shop.
Other businesses such as Caroline Creba Fine Jewellery, Cristal Boutique, Decadence, Knowle Traditional Sweet Shop, Slow Century Records, Temptations, Perspectives, Pets World and Marie Curie will be opening especially for the event.
The pubs will be going back in time with a ‘Knowle Through the Decades’ theme - 1920s Peaky Blinders at The Ale Rooms, 1940’s wartime at The Vaults, and the 1970s at the Red Lion.
Attendees can get a photo on a real-World War II truck in St John's Close, enjoy children's activities hosted by Busy Bees Nursery, and a bouncy castle and games on the grass in front of Knowle Church.
Visit the Visit Knowle stall for merchandise, a massive tombola and a chance to find out more about the work we do for the village.
