Top 10 Incredible Facts Surrounding The Great Fire Of London
Thought by many at the time to be a disaster waiting to happen, the Great Fire of London is probably one of the most well-known events in the history of Stuart England. It began its spread of terror on the evening of September 1, 1666.
The London of 1666 consisted largely of houses constructed from oak timbers, which were covered in flammable tar in order to keep out the rain. The houses were crammed together in narrow streets, where the only real firefighters were neighborhood teams of “bucket brigades” whose only tools of the trade were leather water pails and primitive hand-operated water pumps. The Great Fire of London was said by many at the time to be an event of inevitability, and London’s citizens had been ordered to check their homes for possible fire risks.
Lewis then spent 18 months working alongside Christopher and baker Ron Lacey to learn his trade. Ron, like many of the 50 staff has worked at Dunns for decades, across bread, patisserie, confectionery & pastry, cake decoration, sandwiches and the shop floor.
“We have a fantastic team, with a range of skills from masters of their trades to school children working at weekends,” says Lewis.
Dunns circa 1900
- Credit: courtesy of Lewis Freeman
Hornsey-raised Rebecca Stapleton, 34, has worked there since she was 16 - from a Saturday job with school holiday shifts, to supervisor and now manager of the Muswell Hill branch.
“I have always enjoyed working here. When I first started I was super shy and the interaction with the customers really helped build my confidence. Being a small family business, we’re all respected, treated as individuals and valued. It’s great to run the new shop. The people of Muswell Hill have been so welcoming and happy to have us.”
Lewis then spent 18 months working alongside Christopher and baker Ron Lacey to learn his trade. Ron, like many of the 50 staff has worked at Dunns for decades, across bread, patisserie, confectionery & pastry, cake decoration, sandwiches and the shop floor.
“We have a fantastic team, with a range of skills from masters of their trades to school children working at weekends,” says Lewis.
Dunns circa 1900
- Credit: courtesy of Lewis Freeman
Hornsey-raised Rebecca Stapleton, 34, has worked there since she was 16 - from a Saturday job with school holiday shifts, to supervisor and now manager of the Muswell Hill branch.
“I have always enjoyed working here. When I first started I was super shy and the interaction with the customers really helped build my confidence. Being a small family business, we’re all respected, treated as individuals and valued. It’s great to run the new shop. The people of Muswell Hill have been so welcoming and happy to have us.”