Gingerbread man's 100 per cent record

Ron Mewis, 76, of Highgrove Close, has just retired after working as a baker at the world-famous Grasmere Gingerbread Shop in Cumbria for 13 years.

Ron put his 100 per cent record timekeeping down to forward planning, not navy discipline.

He said: “Although it’s only 40 miles I always gave myself a 75-minute cushion of time.

“Whilst I was usually at the shop 20-25 minutes early there are four sets of traffic lights on the route. So if I hit red on every one of them that could add 20 minutes to the journey.”

As a former Colour Sergeant in the Royal Marines, Ron served in Cyprus, Borneo and alongside the British Antarctic Survey Team.

After leaving the army, he became a baker for various companies before joining the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop in 2003.

A whisky connoisseur, he was delighted with one of his retirement gifts from shop owners Andrew and Joanne Hunter – a special bottle of Dalmore single malt whisky.

“Every night I enjoy a dram and some cheese and crackers,” he said.

“But I’ll be reserving the Dalmore for special occasions.”

Whilst he still hasn’t got out of the habit of rising at 4.30am, he aims to spend his retirement gardening and spending time with his wife Elaine. Ron said he would particularly miss the “camaraderie of the team as it was more like a family than a working environment.”

Former boss Andrew Hunter added: “Ron will be sorely missed.”