Bread, Baking and Windmills

Littleover Historical Society  News  January 2026

'Give us our daily bread'; some people say this more often than others and some people are lucky to be fed more often than others, but a daily thought in everyone's minds.

Where are most people likely to buy their bread nowadays; a supermarket, a bakery, or maybe you still like to make your own. Years ago it wasn't so easy. What is the main ingredient of bread?  Wheat is needed to make the flour, so this very staple of our diet is grown in fields by farmers, then the wheat has to be ground. The oldest method of this of course is the millstone, then came along windmills. Archaeological evidence and field names suggest we had three in Littleover; you can read more on our website.

Then to make life easier along came bakeries. Records tell us that the earliest bakery in England is 'Jacka bakery' in Plymouth, which has operated continuously 1597 and they supplied bread in the time of the pilgrims and Sir Francis Drake.

In the 1881 Census, William and Mary North were leading Baptist and Bakers on Shepherd Street. William then went on to be the Manager of our first Co-op in Littleover opposite the White Swan, so the smell of newly baked bread must have wafted up and down Shepherd Street and Church Street.

Shortly after, 'Birds' bakery began in 1919 with three brothers from Derby eventually supplying all corners of Derby with newly baked bread.

9th January - we next meet at 10am at Littleover Grange Hall Community Centre, Park Lane. Visitors welcome, join us for a chat and refreshments, £3. Come along or contact:

Jan 01332 348903 or jan.dante@virgin.net.