WORCESTER Co-operative Society's extensive new "Model Bakery" at Newtown was completed and officially opened at this time 50 years ago.

The Journal of 1953 reported fully on opening ceremony conducted by Lord Williams, President of the nation's Co-operative Wholesale Society.

He stressed: "Having visited factories in all parts of the world, I can assure you that I have never seen a better bakery than is here in Worcester. The method of production and the standard of hygiene are something of which you can all feel proud.

"This bakery has the capacity to produce 1,300 loaves an hour and to consume 300 sacks of flour a week. If sufficient support is forthcoming, I see no reason why a double eight-hour shift should not be worked, creating even more jobs.

"However, all the effort that has gone into this project will be of little avail unless trade is forthcoming. Every member of the Worcester Society - and there are nearly 37,000 of you - should support the bakery fully.

"The Worcester Society has been fortunate in obtaining licences from the Government for the erecting of such a building. Although capital development has been retarded throughout the country, I am looking forward to the time when all the restrictions will be removed, no matter what Government is in power."

Mr W.A. Rofe, president of the Worcester Society, pointed out that its bakery trade had first started in a small building at Mealcheapen Street in Victorian times. The new Model Bakery clearly represented a huge advancement.

Alas, with the benefit of hindsight, we know that the life-span of the new bakery was comparatively short, though I can't recall exactly when it went out of operation.