Readers go down memory lane over cake factory
READERS have been sharing their memories about a former cake bakery in Clevedon.
Earlier this month the Mercury printed a postcard of proud workers from Hales Cakes about to join the carnival procession in 1937.
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Postcard of Hales Cake Factory in Clevedon
It was sent to us by Brian Clement, of Westfield Road, Backwell, who said he recognised the woman on the far right as being a Polly Parsons.
He said: "I think she married a man from Nailsea.
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"There was a bus driver who used to go all round picking up and dropping off the workers from the factory."
Hales Cake Factory, which was situated near Clevedon Road, and famed for its Swiss rolls, closed in 1988 and is now occupied by HBoS.
Bill Bryant, of Clevedon, said he was able to identify all the women in the photograph.
He said: "They are Marion Coles, Kathleen Hollyman, Doupy Reed and Phylis Ainsworth.
"Phylis was my stepsister.
"We had the same mother but Phylis's father was killed in Ypres in 1917 without seeing his daughter."
"The boy looking through the van window I believe to be the young son of owner Mr Frank Hale, but his name escapes me."
Jean Watts, also of Clevedon, said she had fond memories of working at the factory.
She said: "I started working at Hales in 1947 and was there for 42 years, 30 of those being a supervisor.
"I made everything from pastries and sausage rolls to Eccles cakes.
"I moved from department to department but my favourite was the Battenberg department.
"Originally, the factory had just a packing area, but I was saw the extension built as it expanded.
"When I got married on June 17, 1950, Mrs Hale came to my wedding and her daughter Mary's husband Avery Toogood drove me to St John's Church in a black Daimler.
"It was a very social place, we had a committee and held lots of different events, including a skittles knockout competition."
Do you have any photographs that bring back fond memories for you? If so then the Mercury wants to hear from you. Contact Trudi Bird on 01275 335122 or drop into the editorial offices in Albert Road, Clevedon.
Comments
by peterjhale
Friday, March 22 2013, 3:54PM
“Peter Hale, Stockport. 22/03/2013
I am John Hale's son, so Frank's grandson, though I never knew him as he died two years before I was born. I did know Daisy, Mary and Avery and their children. I would be happy to be in touch with Pam Harvey if there is a mechanism for that. PJH.”
by Pam Harvey, Paignton, Devon
Monday, January 05 2009, 12:01AM
“I so interested to read about the Hales Cakes business, looking as I often do to try and find a reference to the Hales or Andow family on the internet . I will explain why ....................My father who is now almost 91, and my grandparents, were friends of the Andows, they had the connection of all being staunch Methodists, and all came from North Somerset. (My grandparents name and my faher`s is Gould). My father was born in Mysore, India because his father was a missionary there who developed and managed a large printing press. When he was only 9, my father was sent to England to go to school, ofen not seeing his parents for a couple of years, so that in the holidays he was farmed out to various, often very severe, relations. However one of his favourite places to stay was with the Andow family who were more relaxed and gave him a happy time. I think there were 3 or 4 daughters in the family, I know one was called Lil and another Jane and one was the Mrs Hale mentioned in the article. Sadly my Dad is now suffering from dementia, and I am in the process of turning out his house in Exeter, full of much memorabilia, including what must amount to 100s of photos and letters re the Andows and Hales. These are in my father`s possession because he and my Mum acted as executors to at least one of the spinster Andow sisters. I am sure the two Hale children were called Mary (as mentioned) and John - one of the things I found in Dad`s house is an invitation to John`s wedding - I believe he was a doctor and lived in London. I also have many telegrams to Mr and Mrs Andow (Mary and John`s parents) on the occasion of their Golden Wedding, one of which is from the King! and I would love to reunite any of these items with members of the family. I have tried to find out where the Toogoods are but to no avail. If there is any way your paper can help I would very much appreciate it.
Thank you for your interest,
Pam Harvey”