Out and about
In this second 'out and about' I'm featuring Peter and Shirley Williamsons'
charming Merrivale Model Village, on the sea front at Great Yarmouth. A great
place for families, this will come just in time for the school holidays!
Peter has been a well known collector and operator for many years. Many of you will
remember Peter's old time children's fairground and vintage slot machines at Wroxford
Barns, Norfolk. Having sold this site, along with the fairground attractions (but keeping
the slot machines), Peter and Shirley bought Merrivale Model Village about two and a
half years ago. When they took possession, the village was somewhat 'run down',
showing signs of many years of neglect. When Sharron and I visited a few weeks back, it
was evident that much investment has been made, in time and money, to restore this to a
first class attraction.
Strolling through the winding paths of the model village, visitors encounter all
manner of tiny buildings and tableau, including: town halls and churches; cricket matches
and holiday camps; petrol stations and busy high streets. A well detailed miniature
railway winds it's way through the model village, crossing rivers and disappearing into
long tunnels, to emerge the other end at a station or shunting yard.
The very atmospheric fairground in the model village
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