General Chat

Going to watch the one from Chester today as that's where a great aunt of mine, not known to me, was from and it's a place I would like to visit.

Lizx

Man who transformed Wymondham rail station retires
By STEPHANIE BROOKS
Monday, 10 January, 2011
12:23 PM

A railway enthusiast who transformed a derelict south Norfolk train station into an award-winning attraction is handing over the lease of the building after 23 years.


David Turner, the proprietor of the Brief Encounter restaurant at Wymondham train station, is reluctantly leaving the business to begin retirement after rising rates and running costs put pressure on trading.

New lease-holders are due to take over in mid-February and, although a catering business is to be retained at the station, he said he knew few details at the moment about what their plans for the site may be.

Mr Turner, who lives in Ashwellthorpe, said: “I can’t pretend this has been an easy decision, but I feel that the time is right to let go. Although we had quite a successful summer last year, nobody would pretend that trading conditions are easy in the current economic climate, especially for those of us in the leisure and tourism sectors.

“My lease on the buildings here is due for renewal very shortly and I’m not getting any younger so this seemed like the right time to take a step back.”

He added: “I would like to thank our many customers for their support and to pay tribute to my own staff, some of whom have given many years of loyal service and have themselves contributed so much towards building the business to become widely recognised as one of the very best of its type in the country.”

When Mr Turner took on the station buildings in March 1988 they had been unoccupied for two decades and were due to be bulldozed, but he gradually restored the complex establishing the Brief Encounter tea rooms, a piano repair business and a range of railway memorabilia.

The transformation has earned the station a string of regional and national awards, including the title of best small station at the National Rail Awards in 2006 and the winner of best retail outlet at the Community Rail Awards in 2008.

Railway enthusiasts have also flocked to the lovingly restored building including Michael Portillo, who filmed at the site in September for his BBC2 programme Great British Railway Journeys.

“People said I was mad when I took on the buildings. They were almost derelict and threatened with demolition. But I replied that I have always loved trains so I gradually set about bringing the station back to life using proceeds from my piano business,” he said.

“I have enjoyed it. I shall miss seeing the tears, the laughter and the hugs and kisses from the windows as people get on and off the trains. I shall miss the familiar smells of the place.”

Mr Turner will continue his piano tuning business from his home. He also intends to devote time to his garden and his support of Wymondham Abbey.

His railway memorabilia collection on display at the station will be taken down by the end of the month having found a new owner.

Station Taxis and the Nailway beauty salon will both continue to trade normally alongside the part-time railway ticket sales booth operated by National Express East Anglia.

Well I know a few Harveys and my first school headmistress was a Mrs Barber but don't think I know any others in the area. Mollett isn't a name I recognise at all.

My cold is gone, thanks LInda, but I am still very tired, am off to bed in a mo.

Just can't keep up with all the threads and my pms and emails, apologies to those I owe a reply to.

Lizx

Hi Liz
Thank you for your kind offer.
Right my mothers maiden name was Barber, there were also Harvey's and Mollett.
I have been researching for a few years now, and new information is always welcome.
I hope you are feeling a bit better yourself as I know you have been unwell over Christmas.

Linda :o) XxX

I am hoping the ones I missed will be repeated then I can record them and o.h. can put them on one disc for me. The ones for sale are a bit expensive even on Amazon and I think it's only the first series out at the mo.
I was dubious about watching M.P. doing the prog but he is actually a very pleasant chap, seems quite humble and happy to speak to people. Linda, what family name was yours? Norwich used to have lots of shoe factories but not many now. If I can get the lot put onto disc I will get o.h. to do one for you if I remember. Will wait and see otherwise he might be persuaded to put the Norwich one on a disc for you.

Dawnie, that was a great idea, glad you o.h. liked his pressie.

Lizx

I missed the first few programmes but have loved the ones that I have seen, I love Micheal Portillo, did'nt rate him much as a mp but anything that he is in on the tv since is very interesting.

really good program seen one last yr they showed watford where i live now intresting to find out things makes you want to go these places

Liz

because of watching the riginal one hubby kept going on how he wanted to go on the Settle to carlise railway so sorted it for his 50th last year.

He loved it and its another thinghe can add to list of things he done

x

Liz I missed the one you saw. Shame really as my mothers family came from Norwich.
I recently found that some of the family worked at the "Mustard Factory". So I am assuming it was Colemans.
Mostly the men were shoe makers, finishers etc.
Like you I hope it will be repeated. Maybe it will be available on DVD.
I saw the Ely one and it was good too. He does make an interesting programme.

Linda :o) XxX

Can't find the original thread but wondered who watched the one last evening, all around my neck of the woods, Norwich to Cromer and area.
The chap who spoke about the Cromer Crabs is known to me and my family, my mother lodged in his family's house when she moved there before the beginning of the war.
I spoke with him only last year as I have lots of pics of his family, the Davies of lifeboat and fishing fame and I said I would take them to him when I can, they don't really mean much to me so he might as well have them.

I learned lots of things I didn't know about my own city's history and it was interesting to learn about the Colman's mustard too.

Fascinating programme, I have been to the Brief Encounter cafe at Wymondham (pronounced Windham) station. I recorded the Cambridge programme the other evening but haven't watched it yet, Cambridge station holds many memories for me too. Missed one about Ely tho. Hope it's repeated soon so I can catch up with them all.

Lizx