Wilkin and Sons Ltd, Tiptree, 2016

The first of two posts about Wilkin and Sons Ltd.

I was fortunate to be given a tour of the various aspects of a very well known Essex brand, Tiptree jams, which are made by Wilkin and Sons Ltd at their factory and farms in and around Tiptree.

The extensive walk (and a little drive) covered the farms where the fruit is grown and picked, the factory where the assortment of conserves, marmalades, jellies, gin and many other products are prepared, boiled, bottled, labelled and packaged, and the tea room where some of the produce is eaten and enjoyed. I had been to the tea room several years ago but it was great to learn about the whole manufacturing process, advances in technology, varieties of different fruit used and some of the problems and achievements that the company has had during it’s very long history. I have to thank Liz Baker, Mark, Dan and Paul for making me very welcome, and for their knowledge, help and dedication.

The audio excerpts here include sounds from the Boiling Room; bottling, labelling and packing machines; the innovative New Growing System; plant trimming; and, naturally, the tea room. See here for a couple of recordings of tractors from the farm in Goldhanger.