It all began with having a tree that produced too many cooking apples every year. Chutney making was born. Then, we had too many jars of chutney to eat. I was a trustee of Home-Start North Somerset; there was a Farmers’ Market every month in Nailsea so I decided to sell chutneys to raise not only some cash but our profile in North Somerset. It became a bit of a tradition to have a stall at Christmas and Easter and for our house to smell like a pickling factory and to then sell them at the market. Not only chutneys, but jams and marmalade as well. We also haunted Christmas Fayres in Nailsea, Backwell, Winscombe and Weston.
I have a lot of support from friends and volunteers who provide jam jars that I upcycle and a mega amount of support from my local greengrocer, Ashley Olsen, who very often gives (or sells at trade cost) me fruit/vegetables when in season to complement what my husband grows in the garden.
Alas, this year it’s not been easy. I contemplated not making any preserves as the future of markets and Christmas Fayres was in doubt but my cooking genes took over and I set to with the preserving pan! But where was I going to sell them? Mmmmm after some thought and talking to friends, my outlets this year have been varied and many!!! My lovely greengrocer, immediately offered to sell them at his shop. I emailed volunteers, staff, trustees and friends of Home-Start. My doctor’s surgery sold a box full in the staff room. A friend decided to give hampers as a gift this year and it featured heavily with the preserves. I’m not a fan of Facebook as those of you that know me will tell you! BUT a friend’s daughter set to, designed an eye-catching poster and posted it on her Facebook site and orders came in thick and fast! Despite the fact that she lives near Sherborne, she drove up to Nailsea at the beginning of December, collected the jars and delivered them! A huge thank you to Holly.
So despite a wobbly start, we have sold over 300 jars to friends and supporters of Home-Start. And as I said earlier, it’s not only to raise some money but to let people know we are here and what fantastic work is carried out by our volunteers. Not sure of the final total, but will be well over £400!!
So start collecting your jam jars! Store excess veg/fruit for me. And let’s hope the markets and fayres are back next year to make new friends!