British Baker regretfully announces that baker Malcolm Skelton passed away very suddenly on holiday in Spain on 18 August 2010, aged 74.

Malcolm joined the family business of A C Skelton and Sons in 1958, after leaving a firm of chartered accountants in Hull city centre.

His knowledge of finance helped Skeltons Bakery gain profitability and with his father Harold, a Master Baker, they made a great team. Skeltons bakery expanded rapidly from eight shops in the late 1950s to 50 shops and eight cafés in the 1980s.

When Skeltons bakery was sold in 2007, Malcolm finally retired from everyday work, but took great satisfaction in helping his sons Richard and Philip establish their new venture “The Cake Room by Skeltons”, a bespoke cake and chocolate shop in Hessle, near Hull.

Malcolm had pursued many interests outside work in his life. He had been a keen sailor, racing his boat on the Humber estuary, before learning to fly and piloting his own small aircraft. His latest great joy was spending time with his three grandchildren and relaxing at his holiday home in Spain.

He is survived by his wife Jeanette, sons Richard and Philip, and three grandchildren.

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