In Memoriam

THE SCOTTISH BAKER IN MEMORIAM

PAST PRESIDENT JAMES ASHER (1932 – 2021)

It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Past President James Asher, of Ashers Bakery in Nairn on Thursday 13 May 2021.

He played a big part in the success of Ashers Bakery and was President of the association from 1972-73. James, or Jimmy as he was known to his family and friends, joined the family bakery business at the age of 14, following the death of his father Alister the year prior. Being the youngest of three children and with his elder brother at university studying veterinary medicine and older sister working as a teacher, he decided to leave school to work in the family business. Despite this being against his mother’s wishes! He spent a couple of years working in a bakery on Edinburgh’s Princes Street, gaining more experience, before returning to the family business that had been started by his grandfather in 1877. He was instrumental in the growth of the business from employing 20 staff to a workforce of 120. He oversaw new shop openings in Inverness in 1969 and in Forres in 1978. It was in 1992 that he decided to take a step back from the business and allow his sons Alister (who followed in his father’s footsteps as President of Scottish Bakers from 2009-2010) and George to take charge. Jimmy leaves behind his wife Marilyn, who he was married to for nearly 60 years, his four children, Aileen, George, Alister and Sally, his nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. His eldest daughter Aileen said: “His passing comes with great sadness but he enjoyed a long and happy life and for that we are grateful. “As well as his business friends he was known to all his customers who he would meet in his shops. “He enjoyed people’s company, enjoyed a chat and always found time to stop and say ‘hello’.” We thank him for his service to this great association and our deepest sympathies are with his family. Dear Fellow Members. Sitting here in Nairn on a lovely October evening. Watching the sun setting across the Moray Firth, my thoughts were far from trade affairs until the telephone rang and I was brought back to reality – to discuss the effects of the bakery trade of when we join the EEX, the threatened strike over the wage award, the implications of VAT, and the other current problems, until my heart was sinking faster than the setting sun.

EXCERPT FROM THE PRESIDENT’S LETTER - 1972 YEARBOOK

However, come what may, private enterprise must strive to overcome these problems just as we have always managed to in the past. I would like to reiterate here what I said at Aviemore last May, that we must not underestimate ourselves. No one can expect us to make quality foods for give-away prices. The price of bakery goods must remain in proportion to the cost of living. Our problems are many and varied and differ in each business and it is here that the Association – your Association – can be of use. We want to work on behalf of each and every one of you, “for the good of all”.