Rotherham woman's redundancy led to fairy dream

An uncertain future lay ahead when her 18-year job ended in redundancy.

But then an enchanting idea started to form – one that coincided with a lifelong interest.

The North Anston woman launched 'The Fairy Room' in a shop premises at Barleycroft Lane, Dinnington – a venue specialising in hosting unforgettable fairy parties that whisk visitors away to "a realm of pure imagination."

The concept includes children's birthday parties or a "gathering for adults who still believe in magic, or simply wish to add a sprinkle of fairy dust to their life."

Alison opened the new business within a month of being made redundant by Sheffield Council.

Financially, it was a huge risk.

She put her home on the market and is not yet taking a wage from the business despite the fact her savings have run out.

However, she is finally "living the dream" after taking a leap into what she hopes will become her own happy ever after.

Alison, 49, who has an 11-year-old son and seven cats, admits she has carved out an unorthodox career centred around mythical creatures.

So the Advertiser asked her a few questions about her otherworldly life and lifestyle.

WHY FAIRIES?

"I’ve always loved fairies, my mum told me she saw a real life one when she was a child. I was also fascinated with the famous photograph of the girls who (appeared to have) captured one, that unfortunately turned out to be fake.

"But the story my mum told us as children has shaped my love of fairies.”

HOW DID THIS ALL COME ABOUT?

"I had been working as ceremonies coordinator for the Parks and Countryside service. I would be assigned to work on events in parks. One such event was A Real Magical Christmas, held in the Botanical Gardens.

"The event was a popular Christmas attraction where the gardens were illuminated.

"I was in an all-male team and was asked by my manager to add something female to the event. So, due to my love of fairies, I came up with the idea of an enchanted forest, filled with magical giant flowers, fairies, fairy villages and loads more.

"It was a hit and we did it every year. The event has now moved to the Winter Garden as part of the Christmas light switch-on.

"I spent months making bigger and better fairy houses for the event each year, using things we collected from the parks.

"When I got made redundant, I was devastated to leave my collection behind.

"I decided that I'd open a life-size fairy room, as I figured the children got so much joy from looking at the little ones I created, that they would love being able to visit one in real life and also have their birthday party within one.

"Plus the Dinnington area was in some serious need of magic and sparkle. So the idea of The Fairy Room was born.

"I’ve put all of my redundancy money into the new business so I really need there to be a happy ending."

SO HOW IS THE BUSINESS GOING?

"It has been up and down as any new business is, just after Christmas was awful for three months, but we now have quite a few bookings. I’m trying many things to get word out and we have lots of really positive feedback and reviews.

"The shop was officially opened by Joe Duttine (Tim Metcalfe from Coronation Street,) who brought in a good crowd.

"I now have a team of four part-time fairies, and I’m hoping to recruit more as we get busier."

The new enterprise has different party packages and runs workshops during the school holidays and some weekends.

"I’m already looking at using the hall at the end of Barleycroft Lane," said Alison.

"I will be offering children’s parties on a larger scale, fairy themed, construction vehicles, Spiderman and the classic birthday party with disco and games."

For now, Alison is determined to keep the magic alive – and hopes her bold leap of faith will continue casting its spell across Dinnington and beyond.