Lake District: Grasmere Gingerbread marks 170 years with celebrities

The Lake District institution marked the milestone birthday by welcoming over 200 guests into St Oswald's Church on Wednesday, November 6.

Read more: Lake District: Grasmere Gingerbread marks 170th anniversary with book | The Mail

The special event included a speech from impressionist and satirist Rory Bremner, a performance from Britain's Got Talent finalist Maxwell Thorpe and a production featuring Victorian 'street urchins'.

Maxwell Thorpe performing at the event (Image: Grasmere Gingerbread; George Carrick) Read more: Grasmere gingerbread celebrates 170 anniversary with commemorative tin | The Mail

Joanne Hunter, co-director of the bakery, said: "It was everything I could ever have hoped for and more.

"A mesmerising blend of rich story telling, music, poetry and re-enactments paying tribute to the life and times of Sarah Nelson."

Guests included the High Sheriff of Cumbria Christopher Holmes, former Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria Claire Hensman, This Morning’s Eva and Nik Speakman, Cumbria Tourism President Jim Walker, film producer James Clarkson-Webb, and author Bruce Beckham.

Victorian performers brought Sarah Nelson's legacy to life (Image: Grasmere Gingerbread; George Carrick) Read more: Grasmere Gingerbread partners with Bullion Chocolate | The Mail

During the event, Bremner commented: "On my train to Cumbria, a mother was reading the story of the runaway gingerbread man to her little boy who in turn was singing the song.

“For me, this was a sure sign that for this event the angels were at work.”

Nelson died in 1904 with her funeral also being held at St Oswald's. Maxwell Thorpe sung the same hymn that marked her death in the 20th Century.

Eden Rose Hunter serenading guests (Image: Grasmere Gingerbread; George Carrick)

Shop supervisor Ann Fox appeared as Nelson with child actors from Cumbria’s StagedRight Youth Theatre and Grasmere Gingerbread baker Nigel Prickett performing alongside her.

For Joanne and Andrew Hunter, co-directors of the company, the night took on extra special meaning thanks to the performance of their daughter Eden Rose, who has become a West End regular.

Afterwards, a lively reception at Grasmere’s Grand Hotel gave attendees the opportunity to enjoy drinks and canapes, mingle with fellow guests and renew old acquaintances.

Sisters Susan Lewis and Carol Sorahan, step relatives of Sarah Nelson, congratulated Grasmere Gingerbread on a ‘wonderful event’.