Ruthin man Jon encouraging others to bake along in lockdown

Jon Rosser, from Bontuchel, Ruthin, has been baking his way through the various stages of the lockdown since the pandemic first struck early last year.

Jon, who retired from the Education Authority back in 2016 has been baking his own bread for most of his life and realised that it was a skill and an interest that could be shared with others.

He said: “It all started in March 2020. My daughter, who is mum to two young boys and lives in London, wanted to make her own bread.

"I’ve been baking since I was 17. I started part-time with Sunblest in Stockport when I was studying for A levels and then worked for Castle Bakery in Beaumaris (Anglesey) while I was at university.”

In May last year, Jon launched a free blog, ‘BreadClub20’, aimed at those who either wanted to start baking or to get back into producing their own bread.

“I read an article on the web about how baking bread was beneficial to one’s mental health; and, as well as being nutritionally good for you , it’s also fun. It’s a skill I have, so why not share it?”

BreadClub20 supports home bakers and offers walk-through recipes on all types of bread as well as providing instruction on basic and more advanced skills. In addition, Jon researches the social history of the various forms of loaves and rolls.

“It’s really taken off. It’s a free blog as well as being on social media pages. There are regular subscribers from as far away as Australia and the United States as well as Europe and nearer home here in Wales and throughout the UK. It’s growing all the time, which is great to see.

"I’ve taste testers at home and in a nearby village who sample for me before recipes are uploaded and my daughter posts regular updates of her own baking.”

“I’m re-learning and learning myself….I’ve never been confident in cakes and pastry…that’s my own Lockdown Challenge.”

BreadClub20 is available at www.breadclub20.blogspot.com as well as on social media platforms.