Halstead Hume's duo celebrate bakery and wedding anniversary

Ann Hume, 83, and husband Dennis, 85, of Hume’s Bakery in Halstead, are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary today, as well as 62 years of being in business together tomorrow.

The couple met while both working at a bakery in Frinton, and Dennis opened the Halstead bakery in 1960.

Ann came along to lend a hand six months in, and they were married 18 months later.

They both spent 56 years living and working in the same building at 40 High Street before they moved out to a bungalow on Tidings Hill in 2016.

Ann said: “Time has absolutely flown by.

“We have been very fortunate that we have been able to do and enjoy so many things, but we have had to work hard.

“It is really a case of good management, good ingredients, and to always try to do whatever we can for our customers.”

READ MORE >> 'It has flown by' says Roger as he retires after 53 years of service to company

The business is now jointly run by children Wendy, Adrian and Judith, who all started their working lives away from their parents’ bakery, but all returned to the thriving family business.

It has seen plenty of success over the years and received the Essex Baker of Year crown in 2010.

The couple and their bakery are known by almost everyone in the town and have thanked the community for their support, saying: “We thank most sincerely our wonderful customers who have supported us throughout all these years.”

To celebrate, they are planning special meals with close family and friends.

Ann said: “There will be a quiet little event on the Thursday, with just two or three of us.

“We are then having a lunch with more people on Sunday at the Colne Valley Golf Club.

“Dennis is involved with a choir, and there will be people from the bowls club, Rotary club, and others.

“There will be a few people from the each of those and we are hoping to see 40-50 of us, which should be lovely.”