Market Drayton Gingerbread
By Meg Pybus |
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| Gingerbread
Men |
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Gingerbread
and Market Drayton have had a long standing history - in fact the
first recorded mention of the sweet treat being made in the town was
as far back as 1793.
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In the early part of the 20th century, the small town of Market
Drayton had four gingerbread bakers. The smell of the spicy little
finger would have wafted around the town. The first recorded mention
is Roland Lateward, maltster, who was baking gingerbread in 1793.
It was probably made earlier. There were already large stocks of ginger
in High Street businesses in the 1640’s and 1680’s. Gingerbrede, the
oldest cake bread in the world, arrived in this country with the Crusades.
The earliest recipe dates from 1390.
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| Billington's
gingerbread |
Billington’s, from 1817, is the oldest surviving brand. Its history
is proudly displayed on their packaging as an unbroken chain of bakers
around the trunk of a tree, whose branches extend to markets all over
the world.
In 1987, John and May Hayward Hughes of Cheswardine celebrated 60
years of their family making the gingerbread to the secret recipe.
They turned the handle of the antiquated iron African Biscuit Machine
for the umpteenth time. As in Billington’s Golden Age, they had re-started
the exports. Back in the town, Terry and Theresa McCarthy carry on
the tradition with the original machine in The Cake Box.
From 1850 to 1937, Chester’s made a similar gingerbread. Boughey and
Cox carried on the Chester’s Prize Gingerbread until 1964. Their recipe
and machine alas are now lost. Griffith’s strong men who piped the
gingerbread dough through forcing bags are no longer and the business
was sold by Mr Hiscock in the 1980’s. Joseph Master’s of Longford
(once a Billington apprentice) sold his gingerbread under the Buttercross.
Until her death in1986, you could buy her father’s creation from May
Martin at the W.I.
It was not until 1985 with the publication of Under the Buttercross
by Meg Pybus that the town again became famous for its spicy biscuit.
Once more the traditional product was being "dunked", when a newly-baked
gingerbread man leapt out of a local oven. Fairy Tale Gingerbread,
founded by Tim and Sarah Hopcroft, created gingerbread men for all
seasons and celebrations, novelty animals and gingerbread houses.
Their products are distributed all over the country. |
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