Joan Birka, 20 November 2011
I was so pleased to hear from you and to know where you live. I believe you live in the house that the Patricks used to live in. Mr Bidwell’s bakehouse was across the road.
As far as I can determine, the old Fish and Chip Shop is the old bakehouse which was where Fred Holmes (my father) was the baker in 1928 (or therebouts). After about two years he bought the bakery on Church Street (opposite the Post Office), where he was the baker for approximately 16 years.
He was a good baker and delivered bread to Caldecott, Rockingham (including the Castle), and to Corby. That was besides his customers in Cottingham. If you can put his contribution in the History, I would appreciate it.
My son is Richard Carpenter who lives on Rockingham Road (next to Nick Claypole).
I hope this has been helpful. You did a marvellous job and dug up a lot of history. Are you going to keep revising it, if so I hope I can help.
Thanks. Joan
Yes, you’re right, the old Fish and Chip shop was the old Bakehouse. We had the building taken down and put back up brick-by-brick, stone-by-stone a few years ago, as it had gotten into a seriously dangerous state. We still have the iron header that sat above the baking oven – we had it sandblasted and it now sits at the back of the sink in the upstairs room, that we use as an office.
That’s fascinating that your dad used to be the baker here. Did he ever tell you any stories? If so, I’d love to hear them. I will certainly add his details to the website next time I update it.
If you have any stories about life in Cottingham when you lived here, please do send them through. I would be fascinated to read them, and put them on the website, if you’re OK with that.
All the very best Joan and, if I don’t hear from you before, have a lovely Christmas.
Regards, Jane
So nice to hear from you again. To answer your questions – no my father really didn’t have any stories that I can remember. I guess probably the highlight of his business was when Lady Culme Seymour from Rockingham Castle came to see him unexpectedly to see “that baker who baked such wonderful bread which her guests always complimented her about.” That was about it.
My folks came from Wellingborough and when they retired they went back there. I didn’t spend much time in Cottingham as I went to school in Kettering and then when I got married, I left the village. It is ironic that when my son got married, he went back to Cottingham to live, so I always feel that I have very strong ties to the village.
My son, Richard Carpenter, lives at 42 Rockingham Road and Nick Claypole lives next door. Nick probably knows more about the history of Cottingham than anyone I know. At the moment my other son from Dallas, Texas is visiting his brother and I know he would like to talk to you as we talked a lot about your website.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that you will have a Happy New Year.
Joan