Bread in Common

Stoke-on-Trent's real bread bakery

Interview with: Malcolm Barber

B Arts

Date:20/08/14

Location: Tunstall

Interviewer: Steve Cooling

Permission given to use interview for website, exhibition and Staffordshire archive: YES

Question asked “What do you remember about bread or bread baking”.

I can remember Mr Crinchley would deliver bread in a van around Smallthorne.  I think he got the bread from The Co Op in Newport Lane.  It wasn't wrapped or nothing, it was a solid loaf.

Swetenhams use to have a bakery in Chesterton, where the library is.  They use to do 'Mothers Choice' and deliver it in Commer vans.  Victor Values took over Swetenhams.  I use to work for them until they closed in 1967, I was 20.  When Victor Values took over they stopped making bread and bought 'Wonder Loaf' in, after about 6 months they bought 'Mothers Pride' in as well.

Victor Value was taken over by Tesco, I believe they were both cousins.

I can remember Pedley's Bakery behind Pedley's Post Office in Smallthorne.  people use to take meat to cook in his oven.

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