Stratford upon Avon once again played host to the annual social weekend of the National Association of Master Bakers at the end of November.

Attendees enjoyed golf and the spa facilities of the Welcome Menzies country house hotel as well as a dinner dance and, on Sunday morning, enlightening presentations by Sir Mike Darrington, former chief executive of Greggs, and Alette Addison from the Department of Health (DoH).

Sir Mike talked about the five key factors he believes lead a bakery business to success. Addison updated members on the outcomes of salt reduction trials in craft bread held at Marriage’s Mill in Essex, and the immediate outlook for implementing those standards now that the responsibility, and her department, have moved over from the Food Standards Agency to the DoH.