Marston Green
Marston Green is a village in the civil parish of Bickenhill and Marston Green, in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull in the West Midlands. It lies within the historic county of Warwickshire. The Parish which includes the village had a population of 7,432 in the 2021 census.
Geography
Marston Green is situated at the eastern fringe of the West Midlands conurbation, adjacent to Birmingham Airport and the National Exhibition Centre. Marston Green railway station, opened in April 1838 by the Birmingham Railway">Birmingham New Street railway station">Birmingham Railway, lies on the Birmingham loop of the West Coast Main Line and is served by West Midlands Trains' local services to Birmingham and Coventry, and a smaller number of semi-fast services to Northampton and London Euston.Features of the area include the Marston Green Tavern, St Leonards Church and Marston Green Infant and Junior schools. It is also home to Marston Green Tennis Club and Marston Green Cricket Club.
History
Marston Green began as a small village surrounded by agricultural land in the estate of Coleshill. At this time, in the 11th century, the village was part of the manor known as Merestone. The village grew into a leafy suburb in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, due to the construction of many detached and semi-detached homes in the 1930s, which were typical of many suburban homes in the area. The growth of homes here was encouraged by the presence of a rail station. Following the expansion of the nearby Birmingham Airport, the construction of the National Exhibition Centre and the local housing estate of Chelmsley Wood, Marston Green has grown largely into a commuter village with many of its residents working in Solihull and Birmingham.There was a Canadian air force base in Marston Green during the Second World War. Afterwards, the buildings were used as a maternity hospital and then a psychiatric hospital, then were demolished in the 1990s.
The village was in Meriden Rural District until becoming part of Solihull, and thus the new West Midlands county, in 1974.
Notable people
- John Malcolm Hirst DSC FRS, aerobiologist known for inventing of the Hirst spore trap
- David Willey, known as the "Mad Scientist" on the [Tonight Show with Jay Leno], born in the village police station, where his father was the policeman
Music
- Ozzy Osbourne, songwriter, media personality, lead singer with heavy metal band Black Sabbath, born at the maternity hospital
- Dave Willetts, singer and actor, brought up in Acocks Green.
- Mark Thwaite, also known as MGT, musician and guitarist for a number of rock bands and artists
- Miles Hunt, singer, songwriter and guitarist; lead singer of the alternative rock band The Wonder Stuff, lived in Marston Green with his family in the 1970s and 1980s.
Sport
- Frankie Bunn , footballer, has played 232 games, including Luton, Hull City and Oldham; holds the record for the most goals scored in one game.
- Terry Fleming football manager, coach, and former footballer who played over 450 games
- Stewart Talbot, footballer, has played 356 games, including 137 for Port Vale.
- Terry Cooke, footballer who has played 266 games, including Manchester United and Manchester City