Олтон: История и современность пригородного поселка в Англии.

the area in England

Olton is an area/suburban village within the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull in the West Midlands, England. In the 13th century, the Lords of the Manor moved their seat and formed a new settlement, at the junction of two major roads. It was then that Ulverlei was being referred to as ‘Oulton’ (meaning ‘old town’) to distinguish itself from nearby Solihull. Historically within the county of Warwickshire, the village has gradually become contiguous with Solihull to the southeast, though it retains the character of a large independent village. It is located on the A41 between Solihull town centre 4 mile (6 km), Acocks Green, 2 mile (3 km) and Birmingham 5.7 mile (9 km). Dating back over a 1,000 years, it is a now a residential suburb. Many of the large houses built in St. Bernard's Road, Grange Road and Kineton Green Road during the Victorian and Edwardian period form part of one of Solihull's conservation areas.

Many of the properties in Olton (B91) are detached and from the Victorian and Edwardian era's, these form part of Solihull conservation areas. Data revealed that the most expensive postcode in the Birmingham area was Olton in Solihull.

The Scheduled Monument of Hob's Moat is a moated island of ditches and banks, alongside which are the earthworks of a medieval hollow way. Excavation, geophysical and field survey carried out between 1985 and 1986 revealed pottery found in a trench excavated across the inner rampart and interior indicating a 13th century construction date, with later modifications to the enclosing earthworks. The remains of a number of medieval buildings were found and in addition a late medieval/early post medieval shed like structure. The activity on the site during the 17th century and later appears to be agricultural. A survey carried out in October 1997 by RCHME concluded that the site was probably a homestead or hunting lodge. Olton Mere was created as a reservoir to act as a feeder for the Grand Union Canal, which was opened in 1799. The Mere was formed from marshland fed by Folly Brook (now Hatchford Brook) and was designed to hold 150 locks full of water, but this was not achieved until the Mere was extended in 1834. It is the largest of the few areas of open water in Solihull and supports a large number of waterfowl. The woodland surrounding the Mere has remained undisturbed for many years, providing an important habitat for plants and animals. Sailing on the Mere started in 1900 when five residents of St Bernard's Road leased the reservoir from the canal company. A club was formed for sailing, fishing and shooting, although shooting was suspended in 1926 owing to a shortage of wildfowl.

Politically, the Olton ward has recently leaned towards liberalism. Since 1973, the three seats on Solihull Council have been shared by Conservative and Liberal (later, Liberal Democrat) councillors. Honor Cox of the Liberal Democrats held the ward from 1991 until her death on 1 November 2010. However, for several years now all three seats have been held by the Liberal Democrats. Olton has a strong residents' association that liaises with Solihull Council and other bodies to improve the locality. Nationally, Olton is a ward of the Solihull constituency whose Member of Parliament is Julian Knight, (Conservative), who replaced Lorely Burt, the first Liberal Democrat MP for Solihull, at the 2015 election. Olton was included in the West Midlands electoral region of the European Parliament.

The Grand Union Canal and the Leamington Spa to Birmingham railway line pass through the village. Olton railway station situated in approximately the geographical centre of the area is served by London Midland to Birmingham, Dorridge and Leamington Spa and Chiltern Railways to Warwick, High Wycombe and London Marylebone. The West Midlands Warwick Road bus No 4 operated by National Express West Midlands runs along the A41 linking Olton with Solihull in the south and Birmingham to the north. Motorway access is via junction 5 of the M42 at Knowle 4.3 mile (7 km) away with links to the M5, M6 and M40 motorways. The nearest airport is Birmingham International Airport situated 5.5 mile (9 km) to the North. National Exhibition Centre (NEC) is a short 15 min drive via the A41 or M42 and is adjacent to Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International railway station. The new High Speed 2 line will have a new stop called Birmingham Interchange and will be adjacent to the NEC and Birmingham Airport which is a short drive away.

Situated at the junction of the Warwick Road with St Bernards Road and Kineton Green Road is the parish church of St. Margaret's, begun in 1880 as a chancel and completed by B. Corser in 1896. It has rock faced walls, no tower and round piers with well carved naturalistic flower capitals. To the south is the Roman Catholic Olton Friary. Built in 1873 as St Bernard's Catholic Seminary by Bishop William Bernard Ullathorne, the first Catholic bishop of Birmingham, it closed in 1889 when the bishop's successor moved the seminary to Oscott. The building was purchased by the Capuchin Friars and became the Franciscan Monastery of the Immaculate Conception. The friars left on 10 January 1981 and the Sacred Heart Fathers and Brothers of Bétharram took over the running of the parish.