Slaidburn's Sweet Spot

A Ribble Valley mum is turning her back on a career in the civil service to make chocolates, writes Irene Amiet

- Irene Amiet

Deep in the Forest of Bowland a sweet secret is slowly exposed, like the opening of a cellophane wrapper.

Angela Anderton, who creates exquisite handmade chocolate in the village of Slaidburn, says: ‘I have always been a maker and a baker,’ says the Longridge native, stirring the finest Belgian flakes into a large pot of various ingredients that will be melted into truffle filling. ‘As a child I either made crafts or helped my mum with baking.’

Ten years ago, Angela’s husband David bought her a day-long chocolate-making course at the prestigious and award-winning Slattery in Manchester. Angela was hooked. She saved up to book herself a spot on a weeklong course and, this month, Angela will retire from a career as a civil servant and officially become a full-time chocolatier.

As most cottage industry captains would say, Angela started out making gifts for friends and colleagues or for exchange groups. When a shop in the village came onto the market six years ago it was the opportunity to turn her hobby into a business, and the Bowland Chocolate Company was founded.