It’s Monday morning. I open my inbox and find the usual to do list, meetings to attend and an email from a Fergus Carr.

I don’t know Fergus Carr but he knows Bubble, he knows about From Docks to Desktops, he knows about Peek Freans. For Fergus’ family were managers & directors of Peek Freans “for generations”.

John Carr, school friend of John Peek was employed as a manager in 1860, Fergus’ Grandfather Richard Carr was Chairman of Peek Freans in the 1970’s and Fergus’ father also worked at Peek Freans.

We have interviewed 5 ladies who worked at Peek Freans and heard countless memories of the factory; it’s smells and it’s biscuits, but we haven’t interviewed a manager, director or family member of the Carr family.
But that is about to change.

Fergus and his father will be visiting Bubble to share their stories and memories of one of the most memorable factories in Bermondsey.

While we wait to meet the Carr family Fergus shared with us an essay he wrote about Peek Freans: ‘The changing face of economics and the economics and the consequences for industry’.

It is a fascinating read discussing the progressive move from Quaker values and principles to the amalgamation of several companies chasing the “quick return”.

A link to Fergus’ essay can be found here and please check back for more about our forthcoming interview with Fergus.  We look forward to hearing his story.