Ashby Civic Society has made Smithards Bakery on The Green as its Building of the Month - after serving local people for more than two centuries.

Smithards is described as a traditional 19th-century Edwardian shop with bow windows with a traditional Hovis sign and is a listed Grade 2 listed building. 

The Society says: "This iconic building has been established as a bakery in Ashby de la Zouch since 1812 and has been providing craft bakery products to local people for over 200 years.

"In 1999 Julia's Bakery acquired the local famous Smithards Bakery and continues to produce homemade bread, cakes and preserves for retail and catering customers. 

"They are an award winning family craft bakery (based on the Ivanhoe Industrial Estate) with a rich heritage using true craft methods and traditional recipes finessed over many years."

The black and white photo on the Civic Society's website was taken in the early 1900s and is probably of Dick and Jack Smithard.

It adds: "Some older residents will remember Dick Smithard delivering fresh bread to their homes which was still warm, crusty and tasted delicious.

"Ashby Civic Society Chairman, Ken Ward, remembers eating Smithards crusty cobs in the delightful Saracen's Head at Heath Lane, 20 years ago."

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The Civic Society has listed the building's timeline:

• 1812 - Bakers Established

• 1841 – Mary Baggott - Bakers

• 1862 – Austin Thomas – Baker and Flour Dealer

• 1881, 1895, 1900 – Thomas Smithard – Baker (possibly father of Jack and Dick Smithard)

• 1904, 1908 – Mrs Sarah Smithard - Baker (Possibly wife of Thomas Smithard) 

• 1916 – John Alfred - Baker (could be Jack Smithard)

• 1936 – Smithard Brothers - Bakers (Jack and Dick Smithard). Their sons Robert and David ran the business until it was taken over by Julia's Bakery in 1999 (but still operating under the Smithards brand).

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