Briefs

n The Worshipful Company of Bakers is offering bakers an opportunity to attend a two-day course at the Richemont School in Switzerland. The course includes dough technology, speciality breads, production of bakery products, tasting and sampling. The cost, including three nights’ accommodation, is £525. For details email clerk@bakers.co.uk or call 020 7623 2223.

n A woman provided inside information to help plan a robbery at a bakery where she was once employed and then lied to a court about working there. Vanessa Ponsford, 34, of Edinburgh Road, Norwich, had denied being involved with the robbery at Mr Bunn the Bakers, in Long Stratton, in April last year. The jury at Norwich Crown Court found her guilty of one charge of robbery and possessing a shotgun in the same incident. She is due to be sentenced on August 10.

n The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced last week that Sara Lee Food & Beverage voluntarily recalled 27 bread products produced at the company’s Mississippi bakery. The affected products may contain small pieces of metal.

n The latest firms to sign up for the Baking Industry Exhibition (BIE) are Autobake, Martins Conveyor Belts, Mono Equipment, Tromp Bakeries, Par Pak and Ziegra Ice Machines. BIE, organised by William Reed Events, will be located with the Convenience Retailing Show from April 6-9, 2008, at the NEC in Birmingham.

n A woman recently trapped her hand between two conveyor belts while cleaning machinery at the Warburtons variety bakery in Bolton and was taken to hospital.