Farndon Local History Pages

Farndon Village Buildings


The Old Bakery

Farndon Bakery - c.1910 and modern view

(picture credit: thanks to Russell Stones whose grandfather, owner of the Bakery is pictured)

(Roll mouse over image to compare views)


Dee Tea Rooms - c.1910 and modern view

(Roll mouse over image to compare views)

The Old Bakery

The former bakery buildings are likely to have been built in the early eighteenth century as agricultural cottages for the local farms that once surrounded the High Street area. However, they did not become a bakery until the late nineteenth century. During the second half of the century the village bakery was centred at the grocer stores owned by the Harrison family (situated next to the Nag's Head/Lewis's Cafe).

Emmanuel Sperring (shown on the 1901 census below) came from Oswestry and married Esther Thomas, daughter of a Farndon carter, in 1878. Two of Esther's brothers were already working as baker's apprentices for Harrison, William Thomas actually living on the High Street premises. Emmanuel was already a baker by the time of his marriage, and was probably employed by Harrison, leading to him meeting Esther through her brothers.

By 1901, they were living in the building now known as the Old Bakery, where they no doubt set up their own concern, possibly now supplying Harrisons. However, a new opportunity swiftly arose to run a bakery in Wrexham, and shorty afterwards they relocated.

James Richard Stones, a poultry farm manager living and working in Aldford, then moved into the bakery and switched professions, and continued as the village baker until his latter years in the 1930s, by which time his son James Henry had taken over the business, which also sold groceries and confectionery. James Henry Stones also continued to run the tea room, which his mother and father had originally opened when they moved in, in the early 1900s.

After their passing, Dick Stones, grandson of James Richard Stones, continued to run the bakery, although by 1980 he was by then selling antiques and curios.

Today the Old Bakery is a private residence.

Extract of Farndon Tenement Map of 1735


Tithe Map 1840 (plot 86)


Tithe Map 1840 plot and detail


Map of 1897


Modern map showing location



1901 Census - residents of the Bakery


1911 Census - by which time the Stones family had moved in




Henry Stones among the Farndon WW1 Volunteers



Rations and food shortages land Richard Stones in court



The First World War service of James Harold Stones who survived the conflict.
(His father is incorrectly named as John in the extract)
from A Cheshire Village at War by Mike Royden




The 1939 Census shows Richard Stones and wife Mary still running the Dee Cafe and bakery


The 1939 Census - James Henry Stones and family in 'The Bungalow', Farndon High Street, carrying on the family business





     
James Richard and Mary Ann Stones
Stones memorial
James Henry and Helena Rowe Stones

Stones family resting places and memorials, St Chad's Churchyard, Farndon






Researched and written by Mike Royden




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