We believe that the knife we have was made for Fletchers, a famous Sheffield bakery and confectioners founded in 1895 by George Henry Fletcher. The company was well known for its advertising slogan of 'Better fetch a Fletchers Loaf' as well as the red and cream mobile delivery vans seen on the streets of the city during the period 1980 to 1999.

George Henry was born in Bucknell, Lincolnshire during 1879, the son of George, (a bread maker), and Rebecca. By 1891, aged 12, George was already working as a bread maker's apprentice; ten years later he had married, was living at 33 Gower Street and was a baker 'working on his own account'. The business continued to grow and a new factory, i.e. 'Fletchers Super Bakery' established at Claywheels Lane, becoming incorporated under the name Fletchers Bakeries Ltd on 29th May 1974. The factory was later illustrated on a pack of Waddington's art deco playing cards.    

George Henry Fletcher moved to South Leverton near Retford where he died on 8th June 1958 leaving effects of £17,158 16s 3d.

During the period 2000 to 2014 Fletchers was the subject to a series of  'acquisitions' firstly in 2000 by Northern Foods for £40M, then in 2007 by Vision Capital and lastly in 2014 by Finsbury Food Group for £56M.  In 2007 the Claywheels site suffered a major fire which later resulted in the loss of 80 jobs.

The founder, George Henry had a somewhat 'colourful' personal history ; a joint Labour candidate in local council election, losing by four votes, he spoke at open air political meetings in Sheffield Parks which resulted in fines and time in prison, a founder member of the Communist Party of Great Britain and supportor of the 1921 miners strike leading to a charge of sedition. His son George was involved in politics and became a founder member of the Young Communist League.

If you have any information about the knife or the maker, please share it with us via enquiries@hawleytoolcollection.com