Pictured above: David Yates, left, with the Worshipful
Company of Bakers' Master Alan Cornwell and Polly Joseph
Derbyshire baker David Yates has become a liveryman of the
Worshipful Company of Bakers, one of the oldest guilds in the City
of London.
Mr Yates, proprietor of Luke Evans Bakery based in Riddings,
near Alfreton, was admitted to the livery during the company's July
Court meeting at its headquarters in Harp Lane, just 200 yards from
London's Tower Bridge, right in the heart of the City.
He said: "I feel very privileged to have been accepted as a
liveryman in this distinguished and ancient London livery, and
shall endeavour to do my utmost to embrace and respect all the
wonderful traditions and customs of the company, and to offer my
support in any way that the Master, Clerk and the Court see
fit.
"The sense of history is immense, in an institution that can
trace its origins back over 800 years, yet at the same time the
Worshipful Company of Bakers is at the forefront of promoting
education within the bakery industry, as well as supporting many
other charitable activities.
"I first became a freeman of the Worshipful Company of Bakers
last year, and then becqme a Freeman of the City of London which in
turn entitles you to become a full liveryman of your chosen livery
company."
The Company of Bakers has more than 350 members and many are
master bakers or work in allied trades. It is one of the oldest
City of London liveries, or trade guilds, with recordsshowing
bakers making payments to Henry II as early as 1155.
Today, in a bid to promote education, the company provides
scholarships and prizes for young people in the baking industry and
is committed to upholding the traditions and history of baking.
Mr Yates was in fine company, when he was admitted as a
liveryman, alongside City of London solicitor Polly Joseph, whose
father Rex Joseph is a past master of the company.
Luke Evans Bakery supplies around 300 wholesale and trade
customers in Derbyshire, East Staffordshire, and Nottinghamshire
including shops, schools and delis, as well as Pride Park - the
home of Derby County.
Set up in 1804 the bakery can call on eight generations of Evans
family baking experience. Mr Yates' daughter Sarah, 19, joined the
business last year. Craft bakers work a shift pattern across 24
hours a day at its base in Green Hill Lane, Riddings, producing
breads, cakes and savoury products.