By Robert Heaven

Few actual bakers remain but at one time Cirencester had quite a number.

Each had its own specialism: The Blue Door in Dyer Street sold cream horn and ice cream cakes at Christmas.

Herberts in the Market Place, sold Chocolate chessboards and Viners, now named Halls in Castle Street, specialised in lardy cakes!

Topps in Cricklade Street also sold lardy cakes and some folk to this day swear they were the best!