THE sunny spring and early summer weather has seen a record crop of English strawberries and other fruits which ripened early this year.
The bumper fruit crop prompted volunteers at Colne Valley Museum to make lots of jam and jelly, and they will be demonstrating traditional methods of preserving fruit this weekend.
Today and tomorrow from 2pm to 5pm in the Victorian kitchen at the Cliffe Ash, Golcar museum, there will be demonstrations of jam, jelly, chutney, and wine making.
Museum members Brian and Margaret Moriarty are providing most of the fruits for this event from their allotment, and visitors will be able to buy jam, jelly or chutney which Margaret has made earlier.
“Many people are afraid of tackling jam-making,” said Margaret, “But it’s quite straightforward if you stick to the basic principles.”
Margaret makes jam and chutneys for many local organisations, including St Bartholomew’s Church, Meltham, Linthwaite Methodist Chapel, and her tasty preserves will be on sale on the Colne Valley Museum’s stall at the Meltham Memories 1940’s next weekend (July 16).
