I wonder how many Journal readers can remember this, the old Be-Ro recipe book. The one pictured belonged to my mother and as far as I'm aware was the only recipe book she ever had. This particular edition was the Centenary Edition and would therefore of been issued in 1975. My mother swore by these books and she was a wonderful pastry cook. Most of the recipes were set out in traditional style, but at the back of the book was a children's section which was set out almost in cartoon style (see lower picture).
The Be-Ro Story
Be-Ro is a food manufacturing business based in Newcastle upon Tyne. The company was founded by Thomas Bell as a grocery and tea company in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1875. Thomas had experimented with rising agents on flour in baking and from that produced the world's first self-raising flour. He founded the Bells Royal works which sold the Bell's Royal Flour.Following the death of Edward VII , it became illegal to use the Royal name. Thomas Bell therefore decided to merge Bell and Royal into one word which is where Be-Ro came from. Thomas bell started in his own right in small premises in the yard of the Black Boy Hotel adjoining the Groat Market in the centre of Newcast
le upon Tyne. As well as manufacturing baking powder and self-raising flour he produced a health salt which he later discontinued. He also packed and marketed dried fruit, cereals, tea and coffee using such names as T.B. Royalty, Black Diamond and Belsun, He registered the Be-Ro name under the trade marks act of 1905.
le upon Tyne. As well as manufacturing baking powder and self-raising flour he produced a health salt which he later discontinued. He also packed and marketed dried fruit, cereals, tea and coffee using such names as T.B. Royalty, Black Diamond and Belsun, He registered the Be-Ro name under the trade marks act of 1905.The Company then moved in to larger premises in Low Friar street and after that to Bath Lane. Thomas Bell died in 1925 and his descendants continued to expand the area covered by the Company to include Carlisle and the whole
of County Durham as well as Teeside. Depots were later built at Leeds, Edinburgh, Sheffield and Birmingham and in 1931 thery decided upon Nottingham as a base from which to expand into the Midlands. Several dozen more depots were either built, bought or rented throughout England and Scotland.
In 1958 Rank-Hovis Ltd acquired the business, which then became part of the newly formed RHM in 1961. RHM was taken over by Premier Foods in March 2007, making Be-Ro a Premier Foods brand. For Recipe Inspiration and Baking Basics visit the Be-Ro site by clicking the following link http://www.be-ro.com/
