Just a few minutes from Market Cross, in the centre of Wymondham, Fairland Street is an interesting and convenient street to live on with a mix of residential and retail properties, and a steady flow of passing vehicles and passersby, many with their dogs. One of the benefits of living here is that you can step out of your front door and pop into Clement’s ironmongers to buy a range of items for DIY projects, or stock up on pet food and plants at Myhills, for those with a sweet tooth there’s Yum Yums sweet shop, or you can enjoy a full English breakfast at the Hideout. You may even wish to try your luck on the slot machines in Superslots next door.
But time doesn’t stand still and, since moving to Fairland Street in January 2022, I have seen quite a few changes. Sadly, in the past 18 months several long-established businesses have closed their doors for good or relocated. I eagerly looked forward to having a vet just a couple of minutes’ walk away that I could take my cat to. Not being a car owner, this was a real bonus on moving to my new home. But on registering my cat the first week I got here, I was told they would soon be moving to Hethersett. That was a huge disappointment.
Another aspect that added to the charm of living here for me was seeing the differing colour scheme and fashions in the window display of Wardrobes dress shop as it changed every week. I was reminded of a scene from the film version of The Time Machine in which the inventor sits in his time machine and watches the changing fashions in a ladies’ dress shop as he travels into the future. But time moved a little too quickly here as I watched the closing down sale and disappearing stock as Wardrobes closed down in January this year. I suppose I was lucky to enjoy it for a year. The next to go was Marola’s hair salon. I had the pleasure of interviewing Mary, the owner, in the March edition of this magazine. Though sad to see them closing (and having to find a new hairdresser), I could understand the reasons why Mary chose to finally take her long overdue and well-deserved retirement.
Nevertheless, change brings good things too. In September we saw the opening of the delicatessen, Kemball & Franklyn, which has moved from its shared space in The Enchanted Willow florists into the former dress shop and there is now a tempting range of tasty treats to replace the frocks and hats. And soon we’ll be welcoming Kett’s bookshop into the old vets. There are downsides to living on a busy street in the town centre, but it’s safe to say life on Fairland Street is never dull.
