 The URC in Wymondham was founded in 1652 and is situated within a conservation area overlooking the Fairland Green in the market town of Wymondham, which lies within the commuter belt nine miles south of Norwich, off the busy A11 road.
The town population is about 14,000. Work is provided by small businesses, agriculture, service industries and large companies (insurance and commerce) in Norwich. There are few Norfolk born people, the majority of residents coming from outside the area but with little ethnic representation. All ages are in evidence, with no one age dominating. The unemployment figures in the town are average.
There are seven churches in the town - Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, City Church, Society of Friends, Roman Catholic and United Reformed. Relations between them are cordial and united events are arranged during the year.
 There is a monthly ministers’ fraternal meeting. The churches are linked in Wymondham Churches Together which holds business meetings every quarter, and plans special events within the church calendar. These include a religious presentation (drama, music) during the town’s Dickensian Evening, Lent Study groups (usually at lunch time and held in the various churches) Good Friday Witness, Christian Aid Week, Pentecost, One World Week, and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
The strengths of the present fellowship are probably best described as commitment to the church, believing that it has a role to play, and that it serves a need in the community. There is a great sense of caring and concern for the people who come, a genuine and warm welcome for newcomers, balanced with the recognition that they must not feel overwhelmed, but must be allowed to find their own way into the fellowship. There is a sense of belonging, of feeling needed, of being missed when absent. The fellowship is very united rather than a collection of small cliques.
In 2001/2, the church undertook an ambitious scheme of renovation to the hall and church. Our aim was to raise the quality of our buildings and make them both accessible and attractive to the community. This was supported by District and Synod and by various other bodies who gave grants. By far the largest sum of money we received came as a loan from Synod that we are repaying over a number of years.
We now have a set of buildings which are widely used by the church and community. We see this as a major opportunity for outreach. Among the groups who use are buildings are some connected with the town and two who deserve special mention.
 The Ashcroft Project, which provides specialist care for women who have suffered severe and enduring emotional distress, runs a Day Centre in the Church Centre on two days a week – we are glad to support this valuable piece of work.
The Baptist Church runs a youth club, the Fairland Searchers, which meets in our hall on Mondays evenings from 6.45 - 8.00pm. It caters for children from 8-11 years.
Another notable thing we have done is to erect, in the grounds at the front of the church, a large plain wooden cross. It bears a tablet which invites viewers to think about the suffering of people the world over and Jesus who suffered for us on such a cross and to say a prayer if they wish. Already we have noticed people stopping to read and think. A conversation has begun. Minister: Rev Alison Davis 01953 609971 davisam1@btinternet.com
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