THE STORY OF A LAMBETH COMMUNITY
The Milkwood Road bakery stood on land held on a 99 year lease from the Church Commissioners. Many nearby houses were leased by the company and rented to essential employees. In 1958 Nevill’s owned 42-54 and 64-70 Heron Road, 19 Jessop Road, 43 Lowden Road and 101-113 and 117-123 Milkwood Road, all now gone. A letter dated December 1960 from the company to Mr J W Mortimer, a despatch leader, states that “for the better performance of your duties … the company grants you licence and requires you to reside in the lower flat, 52 Heron Road SE24 as from the 26th day of December 1960”. The weekly rent was £1 5s 7d (£1.28p), inclusive of rates and water rates. The company had the right of entry at all times. Mr Mortimer had to pay for gas, electricity and telephone (if any). The flat was for the sole use of Mr Mortimer, his wife and children. The letter goes on to state: “The Licence does not create any tenancy of the premises but that your residence therein is as a servant of the company”. After WW2 Nevill’s became a part of Allied Bakeries Ltd. Their delivery service then also included bread from other bakeries in the group, such as, in the 1960s, Sunblest and bread from the Tip-Top Bakeries of Orpington.
Bread cooling and wrapping line
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