Nestled in the Essex countryside is the world famous home of Wilkin & Sons
Ltd, better known as Tiptree Jam.
Anglemog members were joined by several Folkmog guests for a light lunch &
then a guided tour of Wilkin & Sons Tiptree farm, the largest of their three fruit
growing farms in the area.
33 members climbed onto the purpose built trailer that took us on a 40 minute
tour around the large growing areas, our excellent guide Elaine gave us some
background into the history of jam manufacturing on the site which began 140
years ago last month.
The Wilkin family were originally arable farmers, they then started fruit
farming with the fruit being transported by horse & cart then train to be sold in
the London markets, you may have seen Wilkin & Sons featured on Michael
Portillo’s ‘Great British Railway Journeys’. It was decided by the then PM that
preservation of fruit was vital for the nation, so the Britannia Fruit Preserving
Company was formed, interestingly, even in those early days Tiptree preserves
were shipped overseas.
In 2010 the late Queen Elizabeth II visited Tiptree on the occasion of 125 years
of making jam in Tiptree: other royal visitors have been the then Prince Edward
& Sophie, Countess of Wessex, now of course the Duke & Duchess of
Edinburgh who visited in 2020.
Elaine proudly told us that Wilkin & Sons have recently been granted the Royal
Warrant of Appointment as purveyors of Products to His Majesty King Charles
lll; (the first was granted by George V in 1911.)
We passed a Mulberry orchard as well as Quince trees & of course acres of
strawberries, the key crop for the company. So called Spanish tunnels are the
latest innovation with sustainable controlled environment for the fruit, the
system doubling the amount of plants that can be grown per hectare as well as
making it easier for the pickers. Elaine explained that in the recent hot
weather, many of the pickers, mostly from Eastern Europe with many
returning each year, had been starting work in the early hours of the morning.
We drove past the accommodation units as well as the recreational/welfare
facilities provided for the pickers. Transport is provided by the company for the
pickers to travel to the nearby city of Colchester.
Recent investment by the company has been the construction of two
reservoirs & a solar farm; the aim for Wilkin & Sons to be self-sufficient for
electricity as well as providing financial benefits.
We learned that throughout the years, Wilkin & Sons has been at the heart of
the local community with support for local sports & arts organisations, a stand
at Essex County Cricket Ground. There are a number of company homes for
employees, retired as well as current; interestingly, we were advised that the
company is partly owned by the employees through their Employment Benefit
Trust. Chairman Mr Peter Wilkin still lives in Tiptree Hall on the farm.
And yes, Elaine kindly provided punnets of lovely Tiptree strawberries as were
completing our 40 minute tour.
We then enjoyed an afternoon tea, some members also toured the small
museum, others paid a visit to the well stocked gift shop.
Peter Tatlow.
15998
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