Born next door to Mr Smith’s Lant bakery
“I WAS born next door to Mr Smith’s Bakery.”
John Hodgkinson of Windleden Road, Loughborough told Looking Back that he distinctly remembers the smell of the bakery that was next door to his home in The Lant, Shepshed.
Looking Back was sent some photos of Shepshed baker Mr Charles Smith by his grandson John Knight, and while looking through the Echo archives an article from 1957 said that Mr Smith still enjoyed working in the bakehouse at the fine old age of 89.
Mr Hodgkinson said that his bedroom was on the other side of the wall separating his house from Mr Smith’s ovens - which made his bedroom nice and cosy.
He said that he moved from The Lant to Forest Street in Shepshed in 1936, and said that he remembers as a child playing in the streets around The Lant, and that he would often go to see Mr Smith who always had a jug of weak salt water by his side when working.
Mr Hodgkinson said: I was born on August 11, 1933, at 31 The Lant Shepshed which was next door to Mr. Smith’s bakery.
“We would always be offered a drink, especially on hot days and a chat.
“The smell from the bakery and shop will always be remembered as well as the lovely daughter who served in the shop.
“It was a very sad day when the bakery was demolished to make way for Beresford Court to be built.”
• Do you remember Mr Smith’s bakers in Shepshed?
Maybe you used to live in the Lant and remember playing on the streets too?
If so please contact Liam Coleman on 01509 635806 or email liam.coleman@trinitymirror.com