From convicts, to comedians + COVID19 – Cripps has a colourful history full of iconic characters.
William Cripps was transported to Van Diemen’s Land from England in 1844 for the crime of stealing. He was granted his freedom on December 13, 1852. In 1856, William married Eliza Burchett. Through hard work they made a living as well-known bakers in Hobart; making several moves to larger premises while at the same time providing better lives for their two daughters and nine sons. Their business was so improved by May 1888 that Eliza decided to return to England to visit her family. Late that year William went to Melbourne to meet his wife after her return from England. There, he became ill and died.
William and Eliza’s sons, William and Herbert, decided to continue the business. They had a partnership in a bakery in Hampden Rd. In 1881 William decided to go out on his own and moved to 91 Elizabeth St. The business was then known as Heathorn’s bakery and it was just opposite the old Bridges Brothers shop. Herbert continued on his own in Battery Point and that business was subsequently passed on to his sons. William continued at Elizabeth St until 1896, when he brought bigger premises at 99-101 Elizabeth St and, from there, he never looked back…
Today, we are creating a new era with the Cripps Ambassador, who is proudly Tasmanian. Our Ambassador was
appointed back in 2013 after The Loaf of Allegiance campaign hit the state’s screens and airways. This campaign was so well received by Tasmanian’s that we decided we needed a Cripps Ambassador to look after everyone who had pledged their allegiance to Cripps and Tasmania. Since, the Ambassador created the Cripps Embassy and took us back into history with the Cripps Story, reliving the convict era, electric lighting and the creation of sliced bread. Pikelets were also his mind, as he reflected on his childhood.
We went back to corporate advertising during 2018, when The Journey took people through our bakery sites in Glenorchy and Launceston, featuring staff from those sites. But towards the end of 19 the people of Tasmania were asking us: “Where is the Ambassador?” So we listened to our fellow Tasmanian’s + returned the Ambassador to your screens and airways. We created the Mountain, with the Ambassador addressing Tasmanian’s from his throne.
As this series began, COVID arrived. The Ambassador knew that he (and the whole of Cripps) needed to deliver an ESSENTIAL service to Tasmanian’s – baking as much bread as possible! We also knew that the Ambassador could play an important role in educating fellow Tasmania’s – so he returned with a message ‘lets all do the the right thing so we can get back out there.’
Our restrictions have gradually been lifted and Tasmanian’s are now able to enjoy Cripps products at family barbecues, clubTasmania sandwiches at corporate meetings and a shortbread visiting nanna for a cup of tea. The continued support of Tasmanian’s and your hunger for Tasmanian made products is humbling and we pledge to continue to support you through baking the States freshest bread and adding new and innovative products into our range.
