Floating bakery celebrates first batch thanks to HHA

20 April 2026

A floating barge bakery is all fired up after support from HHA helped a social enterprise secure a new oven.

The alluring smell of freshly-baked bread will soon fill the air over the Bread and Roses Barge thanks to the support of the Harwich Haven Authority Fund.

What is the Bread and Roses Barge?

The Bread and Roses Barge is a community interest company operating on the Thames Sailing Barge, May.

The vessel, first built in 1891, is based in St. Osyth and is operated by an all-female team who have transformed her into a floating support hub for women who have experienced trauma.

Now a floating bakery, the barge provides a supportive and welcoming space through the art of sourdough baking.

What we did

When the Bread and Roses team were looking for a new oven to open the barge to the public, they turned to our Harwich Haven Authority Fund – operated in partnership with Essex Community Foundation.

We were delighted to support them, contributing £1,409 towards the specialist oven, which is specially designed for micro bakeries.

The Bread and Roses team are now planning to open the barge for baking sessions, with plans to eventually take the May on tours of other ports in the region and extend their support network further once intensive work has been done.

What the Bread and Roses Barge said

Jane Harman, Founder of the CIC, said:

“It has been amazing. There’s a genuine enthusiasm for learning how to bake.

“We fired the oven up for the first time in January and it is so, so good – the bread bakes beautifully.

“It is the perfect oven to have on board and has been especially designed for micro bakeries like us.

“The groups have really enjoyed it – we’ve got a large table on board and it’s been amazing watching everyone stood around it, buzzing with excitement.

“Thank you to HHA for their support.”