Prison bakery

A £1.5 million commercial bakery has been opened at Lindholme, a category C prison near Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The inmates are learning to make croissants, Danish pastries and choux pastry for profiteroles and are helped to gain national vocational qualifications. On release, they are being recruited by firms such as Warburtons, Sainsbury’s and Greggs.

Training forum

Several northern colleges met recently at Tameside College to form the Colleges and Trainers Forum, which aims to share information and channel the views of members. The forum is planning a meeting at the college in Sheffield on 30 June 2008. Anyone interested can contact Chris North on christopher.north@sheffcol.ac.uk.

Fletchers celebrates

Fletchers bakery in Sheffield, part of Vision Capital, has been trialling a new range of own-brand products as part of the firm’s 85th birthday celebrations, which it is hoping to roll out nationally following the conclusion of the trial.

Awards deadline

The closing date for entries to the Baker’s Company study awards, open to all in the industry, is 26 June. There are two places at a 3-day course (in English) at the Ecole le Notre in Paris from 12 to 14 November for winners of the Piero Scacco award and one for the winner of the ABIM award. Entries are also invited for the Joseph Travelling award. For an application form email: sas@bakers.co.uk.

Brewing up

The Really Sensible Trading Company showcased its latest product, the Loose Leaf Tea Brewer, at Caffè Culture. The firm is the sole UK importer of insulated cafetieres and thermal drinkware by Planetary Design.

a US manufacturer. The brewer has been designed to fit into any of the mugs and tumblers in the Planetary range, so tea can be brewed directly into it.