There were two main bakeries in Old Stratford. The oldest bakery probably being at No 17 originally. Sometime after Willam Judge left in 1896, the bakery was extended to include No.19 Stratford Road . The actual baking operations being carried out at No 17 and storage and any handling of corn etc. at No 19.

Even today [1977] there are still existing trap doors to be seen between the two floors in both houses; and also in an outbuilding belonging to No 17 there can be seen an old “faggot oven”.

Before mains water was laid on for everyone, only six houses used to have piped water, which came from an artesian well in Wharf Lane, at the back of Thomas Adams bakehouse.

STONY STRATFORD PETTY SESSIONS: January 1st. Old Stratford Frederick Blow (12) and Albert Blow (10), brothers, whose parents reside at Wolverton, were charged with stealing a quarten loaf of the value of 6d., the property of Mr. Thomas Adams, baker of Old Stratford. Mary Carpenter deposed to seeing the young boy get up on to the cart, take the loaf, and run away with it. The elder boy was standing near the Post office at the time the little one took it. They afterwards ran away together. Inspector Webb deposed to apprehending the boys, and charged them with stealing a loaf from Mr. Adams's cart. They first denied it, but when at the Police Station the big one said the little one stole it. The little one pleaded guilty. Frederick pleaded not guilty. Frederick was acquitted, and Albert was removed to the cell to receive twelve stripes with a birch rod.

The Northampton Mercury January 27^th 1899

STONY STRATFORD DIVISIONAL PETTY SESSIONS: Thomas Adams, Old Stratford, baker, was summoned for selling bread at Stony Stratford, on January 16th, otherwise then by weight, the said loaf not being such bread as is usually sold under the denomination of French or fancy bread. Adams' loaf was 1½ ounces short of 2lbs. Fine and costs 10s.