Thomas and Mabel’s story

Thomas was a blacksmith in Down Ampney but they hit hard times and had a young family. As his wife Mabel’s family were bakers, she persuaded Thomas to hang up the leather apron and put on a linen one and learn to make bread. His first loaves were terrible and, having less money than before, they got down on their knees and prayed. The answer came in a man named Mr Richards on his bicycle; he showed them how to make bread using less yeast. Yeast was the most expensive ingredient for bakers at the time. He also taught them how to make bread using the ‘overnight’ method; a method we still use daily.