Ethel Matilda Ashwood

Sometime in 1944, my husband brought home one loaf of bread, valued at one shilling then, for the household. It was during the war. My husband explained that the bread was being rationed in the shop.

I considered this matter seriously as the one loaf of bread was nott enough for me a nursing mother, much more also to serve six children (the youngest was a baby though) and two servants. At once I remembered the method my late mother used to bake cakes during festive seasons, and whipped out my cookery book, to try to make bread in like manner. I bought all the necessary ingredients in the recipe for bread making and made the first attempt. It was not successful. I tried again and this time I conquered. With joy, I took some samples to give to my nearest neighbours in the Kingtom Police Barracks where we lived. They asked me whether there will be some for sale. I started with a few pounds of flour for sale. As the news spread around, the business progressed gradually and by 1984 it was a recognized farm house Bakery at Kingtom. A small oven was bought and expert bakers were engaged. This is the birth of Red Lion Bakery which now houses two large ovens at 13 Bolling Sreet where I now reside and two shops.

Written by Ethel Ashwood (1985).