THE bun in question is owned by Andrew Munson, of Wormingford, who was given it 30 years ago by an eccentric neighbour, Norman Baker, to thank him for fixing his electrics.

The bun is rock hard – an encouraging sign of age.

Kept dry, pastry will harden and last indefinitely.

Note that the cross is cut, and the bun is a small bread roll, with no currants, which is also encouraging in terms of date. But 1807?

Halstead Gazette:

As the photograph above shows, the bun comes in its own envelope. On it is written: “Good Friday, March 27th 1807, Weir Street, Colchester”.

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