Lessons in Loaf
2014
This year was a fantastic year for our Lessons in Loaf. We grew from running it at one school
to four schools in East London with thanks to the support of the Worshipful Company of
Bakers and practical assistance at lessons from members of the Bakers’ Company and students
of the National Bakery School.
All our wheat was harvested at the end of the summer holidays and was kept safe hanging up
in various sheds, classrooms and basements until the start of term.
In September we ran our first lesson of the year at Orchard Primary School in Hackney. This
was a challenge as we had two classes of 30 children in two separate classrooms, one of which
had a carpet!
Ali Noor (chef) and I had the help of Chris Tomkins from Kistrucks Bakery, and Vanessa
Brewster, Becca and Emma Hales - students from the National Bakery School. Timing for the
day was tight but somehow we managed it, and the children all went home with a loaf of bread
to be proud of. One pupil made our first butterfly loaf, which was rather wonderful.
Then in October we had Chisenhale School’s Lessons in Loaf, this time 45 year 3 pupils in one
room (without a carpet!). We had Chris and Vanessa to help with lots of school staff.
Chris gave a demonstration in how to knead the dough and then how to form it into incredible
shaped loaves. Pupils and teachers delighted to see how fast he was at plaiting a loaf. He also
told pupils how, many years ago, when flour was so expensive and sought after, that some
bakers used to add sand to their flour to increase the weight and quantity of bread they
produced. The children were amazed to hear that this wore down people’s teeth and how
these naughty bakers were then ‘sent to Coventry’ (far from London) when they were
discovered.
In November we had Southwold Primary School’s Lessons in Loaf. Southwold is unusual in
that its garden is on a roof and so the plants are protected from cats, foxes and (so far) the
snails.
We used our own home-grown sunflower and flax seeds to decorate our loaves and this time
pupils were shown how to make their own hedgehogs and even turtles.
Ali Noor and I had the help of Vanessa Brewster, Chris Tomkins, Claire Toynton, Emma Hales
and Jack Humphreys for this lesson.
Finally our last lesson of the year was at John Scurr Primary School in Stepney Green. The
lesson was set in the old Victorian school hall and we had 60 year 2 pupils, aged around 7
years old, so our youngest pupils so far. We were prepared for it to be noisy and it certainly
was!
I think we realise that six pairs of eager hands in one bowl at one time is reaching its capacity,
so next year we hope for more bowls!! Pupils totally delighted in the experience and learnt
how to make their own real bread. I had parents asking for our recipe as they said the bread
was so delicious!
Many thanks to: Ryan Seradoy, Jamie, Jack Humphreys, Gillian and Chris Tomkins and Vanessa
Brewster for helping us on this day.
I am looking forward to holding Lessons in Loaf at more schools next year. If any bakers
would like to volunteer to help on these days please drop me an email on the contact page of
my website. www.cassieliversidge.com
Thank you!!!