The end of an era will be marked on Thursday, September 27th, as a longstanding street trader will be hanging up her pans after almost a quarter of a century trading at the same pitch.

Anybody who regularly travels on the A49 may well have passed the lay by near Much Birch, known affectionately by many as ‘Maggies’.

Maggie Bowen began trading at the layby in 1995 and has been a regular fixture ever since - come rain or shine, serving up the usual fayre of breakfast items as well as her delicious home-made cakes.

Having served thousands of customers over the years, Maggie said: “There is no way I would have thought back in the 90s that I would still be trading now, but I’ve really enjoyed my time on the layby. I’ve always liked cooking and I’ve met so many people, both new and regular customers, some of whom were real characters and I will miss”.

Now 73, Maggie will be spending her retirement concentrating on her hobbies and caring for her husband. She said: “What I won’t miss so much now are the dark, wet winter mornings getting up at 6am”.

Maggie was presented with a certificate from Herefordshire Council to mark her dedication and long service on the lay-by.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.