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The Bake House at 118 High Street South
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| John Corbett, baker, came here about 1877, with his wife Mary, both being born at Isham. They had three children; John born at Irthlingborough, William, born Roxton, and Mary Ann, born Cople. William took over in about 1898 until 1911, and from 1914 to 1930 the bakery was in the name of Mrs Mary Corbett. The following year Charles Norman was the baker and he remained until at least 1940. By 1956 the bakery was once again trading as Corbett's bakery. We don't know when Mr Harris took over the business. |
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Extract from a Note Book of J E Smith
1901 Sept 29 Miss Frances H Corbett, daughter of Mrs William Corbett, baker, High St South, Rushden, appointed organist at Stanwick Parish Church 1901. Generally called Daisy Corbett, she married Mr Reginald Denton, son of Mr. Geo Denton Shoe-Manufacturer. Mrs Denton has been my assistant organist at Parish Church Rushden ever since 1901, and is a most excellent player & I am proud to say that she was a pupil of mine, also for the Exams in which she passed 2 & 3 Examinations in connection with trinity College, London. She went to Stanwick soon after my uncle Abel Clarke gave up when he had been organist & Choirmaster 38 years. I think Aubrey Clarke his youngest son played for a short time & then went to Thrapston Church for 8 years.
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W Corbett & Son on the sign on the cart above the wheel
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The delivery cart outside the bakery at 118 High Street South.
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Rushden Echo, 13th March 1908, transcribed by Kay Collins
Runaway Horse—Last night, between five and six o’clock, considerable alarm was caused in high-street by a horse belonging to Mrs. Corbett, and attached to a baker’s cart, running away. The baker had gone into a house to deliver bread, and the horse meantime became startled, and rushed along High-street towards the railway bridge at a furious rate. One of the shafts of the cart was broken, and the horse broke its leg.
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Rushden Echo, 8th November 1918
MILITARY APPEAL – At the Northants Appeals Tribunal on Friday last the case of Charles W. Norman, aged 29, Grade I, baker for Mrs. Corbett, of High-street South, Rushden, was again brought forward. In this case the Military Representative (Mr. H. Dulley) appealed against the exemption granted by the Rushden Tribunal until a substitute could be found to carry on the business. Mr. George, solicitor, of Wellingborough, appeared for Mrs. Corbett, who, he said, is dependent upon the business. - Mr. Dulley said that the question had now been brought before the Food Control Department. - The case was adjourned for a fortnight.
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The Rushden Echo, 14th May 1965, transcribed by Jim Hollis
New road wrecks an old bakery
Fifty-one years ago a lad of seven started work in a bake house in Rushden High Street South. Today, he owns the business, but it is to be pulled down about his ears.
The bake house, owned by Mr. G. F. Harris, has operated on the site for 150 years. Now it must make way for road widening operations.
He lives there with his wife, son, 24-year-old Mr. Stephen Harris, and his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. B. W. Parker.
Recently he sent a circular letter to his customers, informing them that he was unable to find other premises and would be forced to close down on May 22.
House
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Bake House -118 High Street South
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For some time he has been paying rent for the house next door so that when his family has to move they will have a home.
Mr. Harris, who has between 400 and 500 regular customers, told the “Echo” that customers have urged him to buy another shop and keep on in business.
But it had taken about twenty years to completely modernise the bake house and “I’m getting too old to start again,” he said.
His main concern now is for the future of his son, who has worked for him since he left school, and has been offered a job as a bakers’ rounds-man for another Rushden baker.
Moving
His daughter and her husband will be moving into a new house of their own in July this year.
The bake house has an interesting history. Before its conversion to a bake house, about 150 years ago, it was a slaughter-house and stables, and it is reputed to be one of the first buildings in Rushden to have its thatch replaced with tiles.
Mr. Harris is still called “Mr. Corbett” by some of his customers (that was the name of the previous bake-house owner).
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Extract from the memories of Stella Reynolds: ...... we had Mr. Harris, the 'midnight baker' - so called because unlike other bakers in the town who baked early in the morning, he baked in the afternoon and delivered in the evening. It literally was midnight before his high wheeled cart got round to his farthest customers and then he had to leave loaves in all kinds of unhygienic places, but who cared in those days, his bread was delicious.
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