Off the Rails

23/05/2026

Coming along nicely.....

Open at 10 at Glaisdale Station. Come with your smiles - and a sunhat.

16/05/2026

The bread is made for today but the Beast is not happy - will it see me out? Thank you Mr Magic for your tlc.

Open today (Saturday! 10-12 and looking forward to seeing you. Have a great weekend!

10/05/2026

This is why I only use organic flour.

In 1846, the year the protectionist Corn Laws were repealed, around 50% of UK household income was spent on food and about 70% of the price of a loaf would have gone to a local farmer for the wheat. This was the golden age of British farming, when Constable immortalised his hay wain, and landowners commissioned paintings of their prize bulls. Today, about 10% of household income is spent on food and less than 10% of the price of a loaf of bread will go to the farmer, who could be on the other side of the world.

In the UK, agriculture generates just 0.6% of GDP but is the primary driver of biodiversity loss, and responsible for over 10% of greenhouse gas emissions. Free, globalised trade and unbridled capitalism gave us the cheap food that fed the landless, urban poor who enabled our Industrial Revolution, and, in time, our reliable cars and smartphones, but at a cost we are only belatedly understanding. At agricultural college in the 1980s, I was taught that glyphosate was a farmer’s best friend – a cheap, devastatingly effective herbicide that had zero mammalian toxicity, broke down immediately on contact with the soil, and posed no risk to the environment – all since proven to be untrue. In 2015, it was classed as “probably carcinogenic” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Since 1990, UK glyphosate usage has risen 1,000% – partly because of its egregious use as a pre-harvest desiccant in non-organic farming, where it is sprayed on cereal crops just days before harvest. It’s such a persistent chemical that 28% of bread samples tested by Pesticide Action Network (PAN UK) were found to contain it. It’s in our breakfasts, baked goods, and beer, and what’s concerning is that 70% of the people we surveyed were unaware that traces of weedkillers like glyphosate can remain in food. This isn’t about blaming farmers. Many are working within a system where prices have been driven down to a level where glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) feel like the only commercially viable option. In this case, the reduction in food prices is infinitesimally small, but the risks, substantial.

Pre-harvest desiccation was banned by the EU in 2023; Riverford, the Soil Association, PAN UK & many others, are campaigning for the UK to do the same.

08/05/2026

Real Bread and goodies at the station this weekend - Saturday from 10 o'clock.

I have a workshop running so you can pop by and try your luck until that's over around 4.30 --- though everything may be gone long before then!

Have a good one!

06/05/2026

An inspiring read from Andrew Whitley, who taught me how to bake for a living. Lovely - and wise - man.

02/05/2026

Sorry no bake this week - enjoy the bank holiday!

Open as usual on Saturday 9th, 10 - 12, orders by 6pm Weds please. 07419 197742.

Thanks for your understanding.

18/04/2026

Another Saturday morning and I'm preparing another array of Real Bread and goodies for the good people of Glaisdale (and a bit beyond). Open 10-12 at the station.

Enjoy it while it lasts! And if you know anyone who might be interested in running a micro-bakery (from their home or other premises) please ask them to talk to me. Full training could be available - and a customer list ready and waiting.

[email protected], 07419 197742

10/04/2026

Sorry to disappoint, but NO BAKE THIS SATURDAY (11th) as I'm too busy playing Happy Families!

Business as usual next Saturday (18th) - orders taken up until 6pm on Weds 15th, please text 07419 197742.

https://www.offtherailsglaisdale.uk

09/02/2026

Nothing planned for next Saturday? You could come on my bread-making workshop and impress your family or friends with your produce - wheat and rye sourdough loaves, yeasted rolls, a big bunch of croissants and (if you haven't eaten it all already) some yummy pizza!
One place available, 10 am to approx 4.30pm, £80. Text 07419 197742 to book.

Interested in a bakery workshop? Choose between a full-day including sourdough bread, or a more relaxed half-day making croissants and other treats. To see available dates, please click on the booking button, then add ticket – don’t worry, you won’t be charged unless you follow all the way thr...

28/01/2026

Hello Real Bread lovers! I'm pleased to say I'll be opening the bakery again at Glaisdale Station this Saturday, 10-12.

Please come to the window to choose something from my selection of breads and treats - or if you'd like something specific, please place your order by 6pm tonight (absolute deadline) by text to 07419 197742.

You can see my breads here:
https://offtherailsglaisdale.uk/buy-bread/

Looking forward to a tasty weekend!

How to buy My bread is almost exclusively genuine sourdough, made with organic flour, water and sea-salt, sometimes with additional natural ingredients for added flavour and nutrition. The loaves shown here are my standard range, available every week – however, if you want to be sure of getting so...

01/12/2025

This Saturday coming (6th) - two places currently available on my popular bread-making workshop at Glaisdale Station.

You get to make wheat and rye sourdough loaves, yeasted rolls, croissants, and pizza for your lunch. A good lot of b***y to take home to impress your family and friends! Plus, ongoing support if you need it as you continue your bread-making journey at home.

You can book via my website or direct by text to 07419 197742.

Interested in a bakery workshop? Choose between a full-day including sourdough bread, or a more relaxed half-day making croissants and other treats. To see available dates, please click on the booking button, then add ticket – don’t worry, you won’t be charged unless you follow all the way thr...