Our story

W.H Gayton and Son’s bakery has been passed down through four generations of skilled bakers and craftsmen.

The story begins during the first world war where all three Gayton brothers were sent off to fight. Luckily all the brothers, William, Thomas and Samuel returned safely and relatively unharmed, however unfortunately, William did not return with the use of his hearing. He had in fact returned deaf. As a result of this, he was no longer able to return to his old job back in the local pit. As he could no longer be a miner, both William and Thomas decided to create their own income and so, Gayton’s bakery was formed in 1919.

When the bakery first opened, the brothers delivered the bread using horse and cart. William and Thomas worked hand in hand until the 1930s, when Thomas went his separate way in order to create his own bakery.

William and Ethel Gayton had 5 children. Mirriam, Mary, William, Walter, Ethel, and all worked in the business at some point in their lives.

 During the second world war Gayton’s bakery provided bread for the local German prisoner of war, once the war had finished, they were allowed to return back home to Germany. However, due to the kind heartedness of the Gayton’s, one the German man came back to visit the family because he had such fond memories.

Glynis Roberts (now Glynis Gayton) was the first Saturday girl at 13 and a half, helping on Saturdays, and school holidays, and in the bakehouse after school. At the time the bakery only had one van and we delvered door to door in Baddesley Ensor, Baxterley, and Grendon, with our bread baskets made out of willow selling bread and cakes.

Many of years later Walter and Glynis ended up getting married they had  4 children. Elizabeth, David, Sarah and Richard.

During the 1970s, came the famous bread strikes. W.H Gayton’s and Sons personally made sure that that the local hospital and everyone in the local area didn’t go hungry. This put huge pressure on the bakery but the amazing staff worked exceptionally hard to ensure everyone was provided for.

All four children have worked in bakehouse, it was David who loved baking, working by the side of his dad from such a young age. When David was only 20 years his father (Walter) passed away, David took over running the bakery and with his amazing family and staff they have made the bakery what it is today.

 Still today the bakery remains family run, with many of the staff either being family or from the local area. W.H. Gayton and Sons holds true the same original family values created by the founding Gayton brothers all those years ago in 1919.