Thursday 16 August 2012

Flies in the Ham and Wasps in the Jam

What became of the wasps was never made clear. But, dead or alive, a reward of 6d was offered for every queen wasp delivered to the factory gate throughout the soft fruit season. And even now, all of these years later, it is possible to recall the boiling vats of sweet, sticky jam, the workforce, mainly of women, immune to the stings of those narrow waisted, black and yellow striped, social insects which swarmed overhead, and the urgency which accompanied a new delivery of raspberries or strawberries freshly picked from the fields.

a marmalade label 'signed' by George Hattatt

Acquired by George Hattatt in the early years of the twentieth century the Jam Factory, or to give it its proper title, The Hampshire Preserving Company Limited, had, by the end of the First World War when, as in the 1939 - 1945 War, it was considered a 'protected industry', become a huge success story exporting jam, marmalade, tinned fruit and vegetables all around the world.

a label for tinned raspberries

a label for tinned plums

a label for tinned carrots

And for the people of Romsey the factory was to become one of the largest employers in the town, its chimney stack a rival to the Abbey tower, its siren drowning the Abbey bells.

aerial view of the factory with chimney stack and yard at centre

And still to be heard is the vexation and annoyance at home at the 'downing of tools' of domestic staff, both indoor and outdoor, whose presence was summoned by the siren as additional labour was required with the arrival in the factory yard of some new consignment of fruit.

As a child there was always the thrill at a weekend, with machinery standing idle, of permission, crouched on a wooden tray, to ride the rollers which stretched, to young eyes of the time, into an endless distance, throughout the long packing sheds. Or, weekdays, to marvel as sealed tins shot along tight runs, gathering speed, paste and labels, before finally coming to rest, housed neatly in dozens, in cases ready for transport.


the original Tudor office building of the factory


the factory offices fronting the road - the gate to be seen on the right

Once older there would be the occasional visit through the outer offices, typewriters clattering in what were, in fact, rather fine Tudor buildings, into The Office where, from a huge oak desk, the wheels of industry would daily be set in motion.

But by the mid 1960s the fortunes were in decline. A change in eating habits - people no longer went home to bread and jam - outmoded machinery and a loss of profitability led to its closure. Today, were we to return to Romsey, there would be few left, we imagine, with memories of those wasp collecting days.

Here in Budapest, sole inheritors of a legend, we day after day rotate the date calendar which once, sitting on his desk at the heart of the factory, George Hattatt would turn, doubtless dreaming of his expanding empire.


George and Ethel Hattatt, pictured in 1939, and the original date calendar - now in Budapest

N.B. We are indebted to Chris Levy of 'Woodley net' for allowing us to use photographs in his possession in this post.

248 comments:

  1. Reminds me of one of my favourite books when I first learned to read, 'The Giant Jam Sandwich'. I recall it being rather a silly book that didn't really go anywhere but I read it again and again. Something about the giant loaf of bread fascinated me. Happy memories, if a little off piste!

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    1. Now, Annie, you are introducing us to something we have not heard of before. Perhaps a little research and a trip back to childhood is required!!

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  2. What a beautiful recount of a bygone era Jane and Lance.This is why I love reading blogs. Thank you for sharing your fascinating memories! xx

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    1. Thank you. It does all now seem a lifetime ago which, of course, it was and today there is so little to show for it all. Such is the way of the world!

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  3. What a lovely start to my morning, reading this post. Such memories! I smiled at the description of riding a wooden tray along rollers - what fun!

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    1. We are so pleased that you enjoyed reading this short trip down memory lane, Cathy. The ride on a tray on the rollers was a thrilling experience and it was possible to work up quite a speed!

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  4. Now here is yet another, so dear to your heart, post on extraordinary people! How fascinating and wonderful is your family history. So sorry the factory did not make it in the long run...
    For the record, there is nothing quite as satisfying in the morning as bread with strawberry jam! (accompanied by some proper tea, of course) :)
    Thank you so much for sharing this lovely bit of your story...
    (Those vintage labels, and the Tudor buildings are gorgeous...as are the smiles in the photo!)
    A beautiful weekend to you both,
    - Irina

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    1. We do agree with what you say about bread and strawberry jam, Irina, and if the jam is homemade, then so much the better. But coffee for us!!

      The Tudor buildings were destroyed by fire sometime after the closure of the factory - a great loss of historical buildings to the town of Romsey.

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    2. I agree completely! If the bread is fresh and crusty, and the jam is full bodied, so much the better.

      My beloved spouse makes bottles of orange and grapefruit jam, twice a year. Both fruits come from our own trees.

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    3. We do agree, Hels, that the jam needs to have plenty of fruit to make it really worthwhile!

      How splendid to make your own jam from your own fruit. That is something special.

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  5. What an interesting post, thank you. I've been reminded lately that people love to read about memories of time past. I love your date calendar.

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    1. Thank you so much, Z. We have been totally taken up with your own account of your childhood home in your recent posts. So very fascinating and so many similarities.

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  6. Fascinating. I have been researching our own family history for several years now, it has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. Such wonderful memories of a bygone age. George and Ethel are breaking with convention a bit, they are smiling in the photograph, how lovely to see a more naturalistic pose instead of the dour faces so often associated with older photographs.

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    1. Family history can, most certainly, be a very absorbing, and time consuming, occupation but does, on occasion, of course, bring great rewards.

      Yes, Susan, you are right that people in photographs of that era are seldom seen to smile.

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  7. A thoroughly enjoyable post. How I wish I too could have ridden on the rollers, it sounds like such fun. I think the labels were quite beautiful, much nicer than the ones we have today.

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    1. The rollers were indeed great fun but, thinking about it now, most likely highly dangerous!

      We cannot remember the label ever changing or being any different.

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  8. How lovely to have the original date calendar! Mementos like that form a powerful and direct link for us with history and make it personal.

    I treasure a medallion/medal which my father's great uncle [an ostrich farmer in the days when fashion demanded feathers] won for the quality of his ostrich feathers at a fair in S. Africa in 1914.

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    1. The date calendar is indeed something we treasure from the factory along with, of all things, a steel galvanised bucket!

      How wonderful still to have a medal awarded for the quality of ostrich feathers. Those day will not return!!

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  9. Dear Jane and Lance - what an interesting glimpse into your family history, and Lance, your childhood memories beautifully captured for us all to share.
    H's family farm was on the Surrey/Hampshire border, and I would have liked to say he can remember 'The Hampshire Preserving Company', but alas he cannot.
    This was at a time when our country was at the centre of a great manufacturing industry, which has all sadly gone the way of your family business.

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    1. What fun it would have been, Rosemary, if H did have some memory of the factory but of course there is no reason why he should.

      It seems that today Britain has gone almost entirely from a manufacturing economy to one of 'service' which, in our view, is not always carried out very well.

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  10. The romance of the old industries is fascinating; I thoroughly enjoyed this account, dear Jane and Lance. And you say in response to a commentator above that there is so little to show for it now, but there must be such a profound invisible impact: the work and lives of hundred of people, their pride, the tales and security of their children, memories of the harmless pleasure of the jam of so many childhood days. You are fortunate to have been associated with such a benign and successful industry.

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    1. Perhaps, Mise, the romance is in hindsight but, whatever, it is there. Thinking about what you say here, the factory must of course have impacted on the lives of a huge number of people in all sorts of different ways. This is something we had not previously considered. It is to be hoped that as a family we were good and caring employers.

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  11. What a fascinating and magical post. How special that you still have and use the desk calendar -- a beautiful piece of art and family history.

    I'm very pleased that the first label pictured is from a jar of marmalade "made of lovely Seville oranges only"!

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    1. Thank you so much, Mitch. The date calendar is rather special to us since it has, to our knowledge, been in our family for well over 100 years.

      And of course we are particularly delighted that you noticed the 'Seville' oranges!!

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  12. What a picturesque inheritance. My family ran a brewery in the East End...

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    1. Now that is something which you really should do a post on. Such things are now a part of all our history.

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  13. This reminds me of how fascinating adult work places were to me as a child and it also reminds me of how much I liked strawberry jam sandwiches at Sunday tea-time... and I also collected old jam jars to keep insects in!
    You know how to stir memories.
    Sx

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    1. Romsey Strawberry Jam was actually rather good although nowadays we do wonder how many wasps actually got into it! Alas, neither one of us is up to making any kind of jam, or anything else for that matter. Nothing inherited there!

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  14. What a lovely and fascinating post, I adore the date calendar! x

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    1. We are so pleased, Suzy, that you found it of interest. We are indeed happy still to have the date calendar.

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  15. Oh, what a lovely story! About such enterprise!
    How the wheel of fortune turns - today food of all sorts is hot property - if your George and Ethel were here, they'd be on top of it!
    PS Some fool introduced the European wasp to Australia some years ago...one of the nastiest rotten insects I've ever come across - and this is from someone who normally loves insects. I too would put a bounty on the heads! ( Do wasps have heads? )

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    1. We do actually think like you, Faisal, that the wheel has turned full circle and that probably good quality jam might well be in demand once more.

      Not sure that they actually have 'heads' as such - more likely ends where the eyes are as opposed to the sting. Yes, very nasty little insects.

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  16. Wonderful post. How lovely to have the old date calender, which is beautiful and those old labels are so much nicer than their modern day counterparts

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    1. After the closure of the factory we had reams of unused labels which were always used as scrap paper. Now, alas, they have all gone and we have none!

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  17. I love the recounting of riding the rollers in a wooden box. Oh the simple joys of childhood. So different these days!
    What a great history and lovely memories x

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    1. It is quite fun occasionally, Penny, to indulge in childhood memories. But not too often or one is in danger of becoming something of a bore!

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  18. You are the custodians of a wonderful reminder of times past.

    We have a strawberry etc. farm here with the remains of some wonderful 100 year old, wooden chalets built to house the hoards of pickers that came each summer until well into the 1960s. It was a major enterprise. I wonder if the fruit from here ever made it to Romsey.

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    1. Sometimes it is good to set these things down for they do serve as a record, details of which might otherwise be lost.

      It would be fun to think, Annie, that the fruit might have come from your neck of the woods. Whatever the wooden chalets for the pickers are very much time capsules nowadays.

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    2. The sheds are being sadly neglected, despite being listed buildings. The farm still exists but is a very different enterprise these days. These wonderful buildings, with carved gables and once fancy tin roofs are slowly falling down and are used to house farm equipment. My gap year son actually works on the farm and I have asked for access to make a photographic record before it is too late, but not unexpectedly permission has been refused. Action needs to be taken before nothing is left to save - they would make excellent workshops for crafts people for example - but no one wants to upset powerful local landowners. I am doing what I can but until Phil moves on it's difficult. So sad, they really are glorious buildings and quite unique.

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    3. We are most interested in all that you say here, Annie. Like you, we strongly feel that such buildings should be preserved for they are very much representative of a particular piece of history belonging to a certain time. That permission is not given for a photographic record to be made seems quite extraordinary. What possible harm could it do? As for the power of local landowners......!! Enough said!

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  19. It is so interesting and special when you have heirlooms and mementos relating to your family's work, especially when they are as attractive as these. I notice the legendary Hattatt charm already in evidence, with all those graceful descriptions of "choice" "select" and especially "lovely Seville oranges".

    On a more bizarre note, the attraction of wasps to jam was central to the plot of British animator Run Wake's cautionary tale "Rabbit", in which the transformation of the wasps to jewels and ink sets off a surreal chain of events.
    --Road to Parnassus

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    1. Most likely today such descriptions would be disqualified under the Misrepresentations Act!!

      Now you have aroused our curiosity for we do not know [cries of shame!] of Run Wake's tale. This is something else we shall enjoy looking into. Thank you!

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  20. Sorry, that name should have been Run Wrake. It is a bit of a tongue-twister.

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    1. Never fear, we shall find it! Thank you for the correction!

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  21. Were there many 'Rag Trade' moments? 'Everybody out.' I don't think unions killed the British food processing industry. Hopelessly incompetent management may well have. I recall eating tinned carrots in the early 1980s. They were disgusting.

    Had it have lasted, it might now be a boutique jam factory, selling jam by the truckload at twice the price of what can be bought at Tescos. Tinned plums sound very nice and might go down very well now too.

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    1. The jam itself, and the marmalade too, were very acceptable; we suspect that anything in a tin was actually fairly ghastly but then people ate those kinds of things then.

      A boutique jam factory, with designer labels, really appeals to us. Are we, we wonder, too old to resurrect it all?

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  22. This was Lance's post, wasn't it? From the beginning, I have appreciated the two of you as an inviolable unit but more recently, I have tried to parse the cadence of your words to divine which spirit, which half of the cherished pair, is addressing the devoted multitude of friends.

    This post is deeply romantic for me. I am a person afflicted with 'that yearning sickness,' the kind who looks to the past as a repository of The Answers. (Never the future.)

    Those labels are incredibly evocative. They appear to my eyes to hold in the spaces between their characters, secrets -- stories. And the words swirling about them let me know this is so.

    Another elegant, worthwhile journey with the Hattatts, this morning. I don't believe I shall ever enjoy jam on my toast again without thinking of the girls bravely bearing what stings may come.

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    1. Now, Suze, as you will readily appreciate, we cannot admit to ownership!! You may say that, we could not possibly comment!

      But how wonderful that the post 'works' for you in the way in which you describe, but then we know that you are capable of turning paint drying into the most riveting and evocative of reads.

      We wish that we still had some of the labels. As we mentioned to 'topchelseagirl' [above] those that survived the closure of the factory were used as scrap paper - for many years after!!

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  23. Hello Jane and Lance : What lovely memories! As a graphic designer, I am of course attracted to the labels and advertising, including George Hattatt's great stylized signature. I also own my grandfather's rotating calendar, and remember fondly that it was his first ritual of the day to change the date.

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    1. The labels are indeed something very much representative of their time, Mark, although we can recall the marmalade label being used right up until the closure of the factory.

      How interesting that you too should have a rotating calendar and one also belonging to your grandfather.

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  24. What a treat to read, I had to go and get some marmalade on bread about halfway through. Really a fascinating family history and so lovely that you have the calendar to remind you of this time and place!

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    1. We really miss not being able to buy marmalade here in Hungary where it is completely unknown. Perhaps time to start another factory?!!

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  25. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this history--both public and personal. So evocative--those labels are gorgeous, and I love the phrase "made from lovely Seville oranges only". The use of the word "lovely" seems to British. I can hear the sirens, smell the fruit, see the women...

    Such a vivid image of a little boy, gleefully riding the rollers, exploring the world of the jam factory-- like a Roald Dahl tale.

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    1. This is so very generous of you, Jen, and we are so pleased that you have enjoyed the post and that it has conjured up a number of different images for you.

      As for the Roald Dahl reference, we think that is lovely. And it was a bit like that!!

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  26. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post. You've made a factory come to life and seem almost enchanting! Your labels are wonderful, and the rotating calendar a real keepsake. It's beautifully worn wood is a lovely testament to your grandfather's life. Thank you for sharing this little nugget of family life.

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    1. This is so very generous of you, Teresa, and we are delighted that you have enjoyed reading the post. The date calendar is, we feel a wonderful thing to have for the way in which it connects the past with the present.

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  27. How sad that it didn't keep on jamming--what a wonderful and fascinating history.

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    1. We all end up facing the music at some point or another. Sadly!!

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    1. How really clever! And the ship we absolutely covet!

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  29. The delights of old machinery...and the absence of people obsessed by the tenets of Health and Safety to stop you enjoying the rollers....
    I didn't think of us as being adventurous as children but listening to friends with grandchildren I suspect we would now have had hordes of social workers chasing us across country in order to sequester us far from our 'negligent' parents.

    After many marmalade deprived years in France I now have my very own Seville orange tree around which I prowl in the fruiting season to prevent Danilo from picking the fruit while green to make fruit drinks...marmalade comes first!

    Such an evocative post....taking me back to thoughts of my grandfather's farm and his ore crushing and carriage business, then in its decline after some three generations.

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    1. There is, we feel, a line to be drawn between downright dangerous [all the activities that our parents seemed quite happy to let us take part in]and being mollycoddled which seems to be the case for so many children these days.Still, it is difficult to get the balance right!

      How absolutely wonderful to be able to make your own marmalade with fruit from your very own tree. Now that is something which we covet. Although, not wishing to mix our metaphors, we really cannot make marmalade for toffee!!

      Thank you so much for your most generous comment. We do so hope to read of your grandfather's business one day as it sounds most interesting.It is rather sad to think that these once thriving businesses are no longer.

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  30. The delights of jam!
    and the horror of wasps............
    bygone days made vivid and splendid.
    Loved the idea of riding on the rollers and, of course, remember my mother making jam at home.

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    1. Wasps seem to have played rather a large part in our lives, one way or another. When we gardened in Herefordshire we would often come across wasp nests made in the hedges and, rather violently, we set fire to them!!!!Always with a supply of water to douse the flames close by!!!

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  31. I always love reading your post with such wonderful historical information. To see how people lived and the changes that have transpired until this time. Thank you for sharing part of your lives. :)

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    1. We are so pleased that you have enjoyed reading this snippet from our family archive. Sometimes we feel that we are definitely vintage ourselves!

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  32. I can smell it this minute---that sweetness rising in the steam from the big kettles, in that penultimate spot between seed and table. Moth to flame has nothing on the pursuit of a wasp homed in on fruit. We used to watch the ones pecking at the pear and plum windfalls, flying drunken circles over a siren call of their own.


    Your words are a wonderful experience, with every syllable just right; you bring the heat and the hope and the scent, and even the sighs of irritation when shady dusting and bed-changing in a lovely house were interrupted for scurrying to stand side-by with all the factory workers to catch the moment for the precious, delicate fruit.

    I hadn’t realized what the sirens were for, other than perhaps lunch or tea or shift change.

    And the heritage of it, the decades of dedication to the growth of things, the use of things, the keeping and the preserving of oranges and plums and gardens and calendars. I’d smile every time I turned the day.

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    1. Dearest Rachel, we have been touched by the kindness and generosity of your comment. From what you write, we feel that we are sharing each moment of our reverie as you bring your own very personal and unique written style to our post through your comment.

      How perfectly you describe the drunken flight paths of the wasps when filled with the juice of forbidden fruit. And yes, the frustration felt at home as laundry duties and gardening duties were abandoned when the factory called.

      We do indeed smile as we turn the calendar each day. And, even when we are not at home, Timea, our housekeeper, sets it in our absence. We are sure that grandfather George would have approved!

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  33. You threw such a craving that I just had Thursday Cottage marmalade on twelve-grain toast. I even cut it in triangles and PRETENDED it had been in a silver rack.

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    1. What fun!!And we have just had cherry jam on crusty Hungarian bread in the absence of any marmalade. We shall have to make up for the marmalade deprivation when we next go to England and can feast on Frank Cooper's vintage Oxford coarse cut!!

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  34. What a charming family history. It must have been great fun to be in a family with all that sugar and fruit in their veins. Marvelous to have all those labels as well... they are just lovely. I always thought it would be fun to frame them and stick them in my kitchen... one of these days!!!

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    1. We do wish, Deana, that we still possessed some of the old fruit/vegetable labels since, as you say, they would most probably make an interesting talking point if framed and displayed.

      Sadly, the factory site is now a large supermarket, such are the times!

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  35. Dear Jane and Lance,
    It is so lovely to 'meet' you at last, and thank you for your comments on my blog.
    I must admit that I have 'dipped my toe' in your lovely blog in the past, but never quite got round to responding to any posts. My mistake! I am enthralled by your extensive travels however, and imagine you at parties regaling one and all with tales of your adventures-so interesting are your posts.
    This is yet another brilliant post.
    Strangely enough, I've never eaten jam. Can you believe that?! I loved the labels from the jars though.
    Hope you have a lovely day.
    Lizx

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    1. Well Liz, it is on account of the lack of jam eaters that the factory went the way of all flesh as they say!!

      We are so pleased that we have connected in the labyrinth that is the Blogosphere. Thank you so much for your most kind comment. We too have been delighted to make your acquaintance and do so hope that this shall be the first of many future 'meetings'!!

      Wishing you a happy weekend!

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  36. What a great story...love to read it...enjoy summer...love Ria...xxx...

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    1. Thank you, Ria. You say the sweetest things!

      Happy weekend!

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  37. A beautifully told story in images and recollections, the bigger picture framing all you've left out of a personal history, a mini memoir, a little gem of a post, I think you are both people I would really like to get to know ...

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    1. There is not a day which passes without we recall our time at the Villa Massei with enormous delight, tinged only with the sadness that you are not closer.

      Thank you so much for this most kind and generous comment. It gives us great pleasure that you enjoy our posts.

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  38. Fancy that you are a relative of a famous Jam making enterprise, think if things had turned out differently you might well be dealing with the wasps! It was so interesting to read, I love social history and the calender certainly deserves pride of place in your home.

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    1. Yes, we too are fascinated by social history and the connections between people which can be traced back often to one's own relatives. As for the wasps.....well, we are certainly pleased that we do not have to deal with them!

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  39. Oh dear I have just noticed that my post has been attached to the wrong post, sorry ,not sure if you are able to move it. :(

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    1. All seems present and correct!!!

      We can never work out what is going on with blogger these days.

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    2. Oh I am pleased it was fixed to the right post, sorry if I or blogger caused you confusion. :)

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    3. We cannot work blogger out at all so are very pleasantly surprised when something works!!

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  40. I loved hearing about family history what a wonderful memories and story. What a shame it went into decline. I love the design of those old labels. I always enjoy visiting Romsey and my next visit will be enhanced by remembering this story.
    Sarah x

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    1. It really was a result of a change in eating habits which led to the closure of the factory. When next in Romsey, Sarah, which is always worth visiting for both the Abbey and Broadlands, you may care to note that Waitrose now occupies part of the factory site.

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  41. Dear Jane and Lance,

    I thought we already new a lot of Lance's childhood, but this piece of information is new! I can almost see you riding the rolers as a young boy :-). Your grandfather looks like a friendly man on the photograph and your grandmother a sweet lady. The jam must have done them good!!

    Have a lovely weekend ahead.

    Madelief x

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    1. Riding the rollers was enormous fun as you may imagine. We are certain that you would have enjoyed it too!! We think that grandfather was fairly well liked in the town but he was a very astute business man and so probably not the easiest of people.

      But yes, they certainly thrived on the jam in every sense!

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  42. Jam! Oh my, what a lovely recollection about collecting wasps. I never knew anyone did that but in your description I could see it so clearly. The calendar is so tactile and charming. I can see why you would want to keep it where you can use it daily.

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    1. It really did happen. Of course the incentive of 6d per wasp appealed hugely to children of school age, particularly boys. It is good, as you say, still to have the date calendar and to turn it each day.

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  43. Hello Jane and Lance! What a proud piece of history to share! And such pretty pictures too, the labels in particular; the vintage lover in me couldn't be more delighted. One can almost smell a fresh burst of orange in that marmalade label!

    Also, it's such a treasure, the precious calender, and how appropriate of its regular rotation to remind you of a great past.

    Wishing you a great weekend ahead.

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    1. The labels are quite fun, Suman, but of course do have a slightly old fashioned look by today's standards where graphics are much more sophisticated.

      And ye, the calendar is turned each day and when we are away from here, Tímea our housekeeper keeps it up to date.

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  44. How delightfully bitter sweet can sometimes be to look back. Old times have a certain je ne sais quoi, a subtle fragrance....fruity fragrance in your case :). Back then food tasted like food, nowadays everything is disgusting, even tomatoes taste like moist cardboard.

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    1. In retrospect both the jam and the marmalade were very good indeed. We are less sure about what came out of the tins! Generally, we agree, tomatoes today are absolutely tasteless but we should argue in defence of the Hungarian ones which are the best we have ever tasted.

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  45. Jane and Lance "thanks for scratching beneath the surface", we know another aspect of Hattatt's :) industrialist :)

    We still enjoy our marmalade, jam and toast every morning, and of course butter from France too. These are small joys of life, health concerns? who cares :)

    Best wishes

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    1. Alas, we did not follow in the footsteps of the great 'industrialist' for whom, finally, as is often the case, it all came to naught!

      Sadly, marmalade, which we love, is virtually unobtainable in Hungary.

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  46. That post was very interesting. My family had an essence making factory which went out of business in the 1960s, when synthetic essences took over from the real thing. Sadly a sign of the times.

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    1. This is most interesting. It would appear the same fate befell us both. Possibly the 1960s were not a good time for family owned factories!

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  47. Thank you for sharing a piece of your family's history with us! I love looking at products' labels!

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    1. You are always so very generous in your comments, Rose, which are very much appreciated. We only wish that we still had some of the labels.

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  48. What a wonderful rich history and how lovely that you have that beautiful date calendar! They certainly do not make anything so beautiful anymore.

    My goodness, this post is a true reminder that no empire (or business) lasts forever and to cherish creativity when we see it in action.

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    1. The date calendar is indeed something we treasure, not simply for its associations but also as a rather fine piece to have on the writing desk.

      Perhaps it is well that 'empires' do not last forever although, as you say, to cherish creativity is so very important.

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  49. such a fascinating story! i really enjoyed reading this!

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    1. Thank you. We are delighted that you have found this post of interest.

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  50. That is just fascinating. I am so glad I found your blog (through sweet Suze). It is going to be a pleasure to read your posts, especially because of all the glimpses you provide into wonderful places that you have visited.

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    1. We are absolutely thrilled to welcome you as our latest follower, Loree, and we do so hope that you will continue to enjoy what we write.And, how wonderful to have made the connection through our dearest fairy goddaughter Suze. Perfect!

      One of the great pleasures of the Blogosphere we find is to travel vicariously through the posts of others!

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  51. One of my favourite posts of yours Lance and Jane. Truly vintage stuff! Fascinating and beautifully written. The labels, the images, the calendar all quite touching and so personal.

    I make my own homemade, mainly raspberry, jam every year, from berries I hand pick at a local farm. Unfortunately, so much rain made picking impossible this year. Fortunately, I made so much jam last year that I am still able to indulge in fresh crusty bread, spread with a well known brand of Danish butter, topped with some of Bella Bheag's finest, if I may say so myself! Ahhh, happy days!

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    1. We are of course delighted that you have enjoyed this post, Isobel, and it is really kind of you to say.

      Your own jam sounds wonderful - would that we had the skill required - but we are sorry to learn that the rain this year has thwarted your plans but glad to know that stocks are still running high!

      One of the great joys of Hungary is that all the butter is unsalted. Joy of joys!

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  52. Oh gosh, what great memories these are - probably mostly I'm thinking this because of how my mouth is watering thinking of fresh jam and bread. ummmm ummmm yum yum good!

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    1. There is, Rubye, something particularly good about really fresh bread, preferably of the crusty variety, and jam or, indeed, marmalade. It beats a crisp any day!

      Delete
  53. Well, I am very late in commenting here, but that has allowed me to see so many previous comments that have expressed affection for jam, beautiful antique calendar clocks, vintage graphic design, and ... dear Jane and Lance, your inescapable zest of life and appreciation of all that was and still is wonderful. I like the notion of something being full of wonder!

    Just yesterday morning I wanted to start off a day off with orange juice, coffee, and delicious toast, with butter and apricot jam. My toaster thought otherwise, and pretty soon, my little apartment's smoke alarm was shrieking and telling me that there was Fire, Fire! There was smoke, but there was no fire. I got the alarm calmed down. I gave up on my notion of that delicious toast with jam.

    I had a bowl of Cheerios.

    Later that day, I bought a new toaster. On my next day off...still a few days off, I will again attempt a relaxed start to my day. And as I butter the toast, spread the jam, I will also remember this lovely post that you all have shared with us.

    I would so rather have just a little bit of truly quality jam or marmalade and butter, of course, than any of the the chemically enhanced commercial preserves.

    It seems that once again, my comment has run on quite a bit. Please accept this as a tribute to your topic and wonderful writing.

    One more update, before I do finally click that Publish button. I have now checked out from my library, A Garden in Lucca and Extraordinary People. Thank you all for the introduction to these books and their author.

    xo



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    1. Not at all late, Frances, and we are, as always delighted to have your comment and thank you especially for taking the time and trouble to write.

      Your morning routine sounds perfect until, that is, you are setting your apartment on fire!! Toasters are clearly not to be trusted and smoke alarms, as we also know, are not to be silenced! The bowl of 'Cheerios' does read as a bit of a come down!

      We do wish you well with the new toaster as it is our belief that they have built in faults, one of which is either not to brown the bread at all or to burn it to a cinder.

      We really think that you will enjoy 'A Garden in Lucca' particularly. It is, in our view, an enchanting tale.

      Delete
  54. What an interesting post. Such lovely memories.
    As a graphic artist I am very drawn to the labels, what a lovely style.
    I had some very old labels that were used in the California Orange fruit boxes. They were destroyed in the fire and this post brought back many memories. All the different names and colors. Quite fabulous.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. We are so pleased, Gayle, that you have found the labels of particular interest. Whilst they appear very dated by today's standards it would, from our point of view, be interesting to know who designed them at the time.

      Such a pity that your labels were destroyed as they must have represented a wonderful archive.

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  55. Hi there Jane and Lance,
    I shall not leave one of my overly long and rather disjointed comments.
    Just wanted to express my appreciation in seeing those photos and the most interesting accompanying story. I shall refrain from making any jam jokes. Although, no doubt a 'traffic jam' of eager folks waiting to comment after me. And thus, thank you.
    Your starstruck fan, Gary

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    1. It all represents a little bit of personal history, Gary, jammed full of memories!

      And how lovely to have you as a 'fan', starstruck or otherwise!

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  56. I love that the bells rang when the fruit was ready! Perfectly ripe red raspberries are heaven, and I love that it was understood that perfectly ripe fruit won't wait. Pride in one's work, pride in the product, what happy thoughts.

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    1. Yes, the factory siren was used to summon the part time workforce who were required at busy periods, such as the arrival of a new consignment of fruit which had to be processed quickly. It could be heard all over the town.

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  57. What an amazing history!!!! I absolutely adore the labels and the calendar is dreamy... So lucky of you to have such a rich and dear history to look back on! Im just smiling from ear to ear! :D Awesomeness!

    Hugs,

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    1. We are so pleased that you like both the labels and the date calendar, Kasia, which sits on our desk as we type this and is in daily use. A little bit of our history and a connection with the past.

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  58. So many stories like this. My father, and his father before him, ran a small factory (tool steel, nothing so appealing as jam). I remember with awe getting a chance to look inside it, when a group of Japanese students came to visit and asked for a tour. Dad agreed, but only on the condition that no photographs be taken (he professed that the Japanese are better than anyone at imitating), and, at the end, each person got a deck of cards with "Columbia Tool Steel" imprinted on the back. Demand for steel died down, the factory was closed, and, last I knew, the buildings stood abandoned. But we remember, don't we, as you so beautifully describe here.

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    1. How really interesting, Susan, that your family were in the 'factory' business too. And how very splendid that the Japanese were given playing cards overprinted with 'Columbia Tool Steel'. We cannot think that there were ever 'giveaways'(!!) with us!

      A wise man your father not to permit photographs.

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  59. We use an acronym to refer to our little family of 3 (Justin, Angy and Max) The JAm family.
    However, now I feel as though we've stolen a title that best suits more deserving persons!
    How wonderful to look back at such success and be inspired by confidence, enterprise and dedication. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. How we love this: the JAM family. Utterly delightful and such fun too! No, far from stealing a title, this is exactly right for the three of you. Brilliant, in fact.

      It is interesting what you say here of 'confidence, enterprise and dedication' for we have never thought of it as such but these must have played a large part during the early years of building up the business.

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  60. Living in Salisbury we would often visit, or pass through Romsey. We remember it for its splendid Abbey and nearby Broadlands, home of Lord Louis Mountbatten. Our now grown up children remember it for the wonderful Romsey Rapids swimming pool and leisure centre. To think of all those visits we made never knowing of its other claim to fame in the preserves industry. How splendid to be using that wonderful old calendar today.

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    1. We are of course, Marilyn, particularly thrilled to learn that you know Romsey, as of course you would living in Salisbury which is so well known to us for, of course, the Cathedral, Mompesson House and the Salisbury Playhouse which we frequently attended when it was in its old building in Fish(?) Street.

      In the early 1950s parents looked at nearby Landford Manor which, at the time, was for sale for £5000. In the end they settled on a house, now demolished, in Romsey.

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  61. What a bitter sweet post. Well I still like Bread and Jam.

    Off to google Romsey>

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    1. We love that, 'a bitter sweet post'!!

      Yes, do Google Romsey, famous for its Abbey, Broadlands, home to the Mountbatten family [he was an uncle of The Queen], Strongs Brewery and a one time Jam Factory!

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  62. What a beautiful story
    and those photos are wonderful.
    I enjoyed reading it and it is also inspiring,
    imagine providing livelihood to the town residents... such a great responsibility.

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    1. At the time we were possibly the largest employers in the town. Looking back it must have caused a great deal of hardship when the factory finally closed. As you say, a great responsibility.

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  63. Fabby fab reminiscing and oh such lovely old labels. Makes me feel all warm and squidgy inside, as if I were back at my Gran's kitchen table with her jammy bread offerings. :)

    Wonderful to look back at our past (well, when it was a good one.)

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    1. We can well imagine that the old factory labels would have an appeal for you, Wendz, and indeed, we are rather sad that we do not have any of them any longer. Bread and jam for afternoon tea was such a staple in our childhoods, but, no longer. Perhaps it is time for a revival!

      Delete
  64. Dear Jane and Lance,
    What a delightful family story. A Jam factory.
    This is so strange to read this story. I have never been a jam eater, my father loved jams.
    However, about a month ago, i bought a pot of rasberry jam. I have taken to it and now and again have it with a milk bread bun for mid morning tea.
    Wonderful memories of the George Hattatt and a superb photo of him with his wife. The main tudor building was beautiful..
    I never knew that wasps were used in jam making.. did I understand that correctly.!
    A fascinating story.
    Thank you so much for sharing this. I do believe that you live a story book life.
    best wishes to you both for a happy weekend.
    val

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    1. No, Val, the wasps were not used in the jam making, they were just pests attacking the workforce Hence, a reward for the production of queen wasps as they would be used to entice other wasps out of the factory. Well, that was the theory!!

      Perhaps as you now take your bread and jam of a mid morning you may think of the Hattatts? It sounds like a wonderful daily ritual to us!!

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  65. Morning, I haven't read or commented on your blog for such a long time, sorry. This was a great post to catch up on, I love Romsey and have visited a few times, I shall be more aware of your family history next time we visit. We often pop into the Tiptree ( Wilkins & Sons Ltd) when we are visiting my brother in Ipswich.
    Tomorrow we are meeting up with friends from London at the Barefoot Cafe and then lunch at Brighton Marina. Do you visit either?
    Best wishes, Jackie in Surrey, UK.

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    1. How wonderful to hear from you Jackie. Yes, it does seem liker a very long time since we last communicated.

      Romsey is a pretty town and there is so much of interest to see. Perhaps you can seek out the site of the jam factory when you next visit. Waitrose now occupies the spot!

      We tend to favour the 'Ginger Dog' or 'La Marinade' in Kemp Town when we eat out in Brighton. But, we have been to the Marina on several occasions and have enjoyed what we ate there. It is especially pleasant in the summer when one can look at all the boats from the outdoor terraces.

      Delete
  66. That is a fabulous piece of writing; a perfect combination of words and images in the very best traditions of illustrated writing. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Thank you.

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    1. That is very kind of you, Alan, to say so. It was fun seeking out all the archive images and thinking back to the days of the jam factory!

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  67. What a lovely mince down memory lane. I had a little reminising session after reading your post. It's funny the things you remember as a child, like the milk jug with it's lace cover and glass beads. Anyone who placed a milk bottle on the table was reminded that we don't live in Coronation Street, and Golliwog with his jazz hands waving cheerfully from the Marmalade jar, the product of a more innocent age of good, old fashioned gay fun.

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    1. Oh yes, Mitzi, the lacy covers with beaded edges. We rather like those and may now seek some out for our alfresco dining experiences. One can never be too careful in the great outdoors with the insect life that seems intent on committing suicide in the food!

      We remember collecting the metal golliwogs but have no idea of their whereabouts now. As you say, everything seemed so much more innocent then and good fun. Gay days indeed!!!

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  68. You have shared a piece of your heritage so beautifully. I can only imagine the fun of riding the wooden crate, bumptly bumpity, to the end of the track. What an adventure for a young child.

    I still believe bread and jam is a wonderful afternoon treat!

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    1. It is amazing what stays in the memory from early childhood and it was very much an adventure in those days.

      It is some considerable time since we had bread and jam for afternoon tea, but we rather think that we might resurrect this practice!

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  69. such wonderful labels...I love marmalade! it's my favorite

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    1. We are pleased that you like them too, Gina. They are very much representative of their time we think.

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  70. While a jam factory was never part of my childhood landscape, I did return each summer to my parents' childhood homes in company towns on Cape Breton Island. The factory sirens marked morning, lunch and evening and mixed with the church bells - such odd musical interludes. Your memories of time in the factory and office reminded me of the thrill of visiting my uncles and being allowed behind the scenes - to play with the typewriters and imagine myself an elegant secretary (remember those?).
    This was a lovely post - my favourite sort.

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    1. Your kind and generous comment is very much appreciated. Yes, we too remember not only playing with typewriters but using them in the absence of computers. It certainly made us keen spellers as the performance of correcting a mistake was too awful!!

      Where our friends live in the Hungarian countryside, bells are still rung at the start and end of the working day from the local church. Although, less romantically, the bells are taped these days instead of being rung by hand. As you say, very odd musical interludes.

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  71. Hello Hattatt's,
    Wonderful memories of a bygone era. I remember travelling by train to Melbourne past the "Rosella" Factory. I still recall the pungent smell of tomato sauce being cooked and wafting through the open window of the train carriage. these days i enjoy making my own sauces and jams when I have the time and inclination...

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    1. Gosh, Princess, you have so many talents. Needlework, machining, jam making, sauce creation, tiara wearing......you really put us to shame about the home. Still, we have been known to don a headdress every now and then in order to keep up appearances!!!!

      We can well imagine the whiff of the 'Rosella' factory and can certainly think of several food producing places which we have encountered in our time and wondered whether what is being produced is at all edible.

      Happy weekend!

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  72. What an interesting story about your family....thank you for sharing this. When I first read the title of this post....I thought it would be a great title for a "Dr. Seuss" book.....LOL LOL.

    Have a beautiful weekend,

    Jo

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    1. The post title came to us as a recollection of a line from a poem about a picnic. However, as to its author or the name of the poem, those pieces of information escape us!

      Thank you for your kind comment. We wish you a happy weekend too!!

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  73. How wonderful to have a jam factory in the family ...... you must have loved visiting as a child. We didn't have the amount of delicious treats that we can buy now so, different flavours of jam on fresh bread was such a treat.
    You have bought back some special memories for me as, when in the Brownies and the Girl Guides as a child, I can remember collecting labels for my collectors badge and some of the ones in your post bring back memories from those days. I think that my sister still has her book filled with labels from jams, tissue paper that fruit was wrapped in and old tinned fruit labels !! They were mostly from far away and exoctic places and were so colourful and unusual......sorry, I digress !!!! A really interesting and personal post Jane and Lance. XXXX

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    1. Yes, Jackie, you are absolutely right. Most of the food we remember from our childhoods was bland at best and disgusting at its worst, so jam and bread was indeed a delicacy. Now we are rather spoilt for choice.

      Oh dear, the days of Brownies, Guides and Scouts. We have to confess that we did not do very well on the badges front, especially so with knot tying!!!

      Your sister's label collection sounds most intriguing. How amazing it would be if The Hampshire Preserving Company label is lurking there!!!

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  74. Jane and Lance - thanks for sharing some of your family history and making it so interesting to boot.

    It's nice that you have that special little calendar to remind you of 'the old days'.

    'Bread and jam' still sounds heavenly. I love it with tea, of course.

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    1. The date calendar, now well over 100 years old, really does remind us of past times, Yvette, and was in part what prompted this post.

      Yes, bread and jam is always good as an old fashioned treat.

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  75. A fascinating glimpse into days gone by.

    We run from wasps now, we slap and flap at them now, afraid that we might be stung. People were hardier then; perhaps the reward helped.

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    1. Happily, and we are not at all certain why this should be, we see very few wasps in Hungary and so our summers are largely undisturbed by them. But mosquitoes are quite another matter!

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  76. There is a rare warmth in your register. The reading moves slow without any rush as water in a quiet reflective pond.

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    1. This is so very kind of you to say and very much appreciated.

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  77. Dearest Jane and Lance

    Thank you for sharing your family history. You must feel a strong connection to Romsey whenever you visit. I love the label for Marmalade with the beautiful signature of George Hattatt. The bounty of the wasp's head is also fascinting. Environmentally friendly for the time. The calendar I have seen this before and I think it was similar to one in a solicitor's office in Dublin, where my sister worked. It is a treasure and such a beautiful memory.

    Is there any slight chance you might write a book and include some of this history in the story?

    I feel very privileged that you shared this personal story.

    Helenxx

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    1. Rather sadly we have not been in Romsey for many, many years and we suspect that it is hugely changed from the small country market town it once was.

      The date calendar is not that uncommon. Indeed, years ago they were often, in larger versions, to be seen in banks and so we are not surprised to learn that there may well have been one in the solicitor's office where your sister worked.

      We are so grateful that anyone reads what we write here, Helen. We doubt that a wider audience would be nearly as kind and generous as you.

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  78. Dear Jane and Lance, it’s so nice to share the bitter-sweet family history, prosper and decline of jam empire, with the world. I felt the pulse of the old factory beating while I was reading. Only when the past things are talked by the loving people, they start beating like the old time in our hearts. Either having one’s own factory or not, some people have similar memories of family history. My 92-old-year mother often tell me about her father’s story with nostalgia.

    Yoko

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    1. In some ways it is rather a pity that the factory did not survive the post war years beyond the 1960s, Yoko, for today it might well have had a prosperous future once more as people today are no longer satisfied with mass production and limited choice.

      How wonderful that your mother is 92. She must have so many stories to tell and you must record them as living history.

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  79. Dear Jane and Lance,
    such an interesting story - thank you! I once visited a big marmelade/jam factory in Schleswig-Holstein, Schwartau - they are still one of the big producers in Germany, and was impressed by the largeness. For a long time I cooked each year some jam to show our small son how it is made (not growing in tins :-), and we all love the smell of strawberry jam in a house.
    Sorry that your factory declined - why people eat less jam is a riddle to me, because a crisp toast with marmelade, cut into triangles on a Spode plate, with a good cuppa is a wonderful break in a day!

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    1. Your visit to the marmalade/jam factory in Germany we should have found most interesting. Homemade strawberry jam is, we think, the best of all and now our mouths are watering. As they are for your description of toast and marmalade!!

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  80. Dear Jane and Lance,
    I am fascinated by your story and reminiscences of a childhood at the jam factory. Not many can make such claims. I too am intrigued as to the fate of the queen wasps but such good food for thought

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    1. We are so pleased that you found the post fascinating, Dianne. Certainly the quest for queen wasps was taken very seriously at the time for 6d would buy a Mars bar or similar. We think too that 1d was paid for the return of jam jars.

      Delete
  81. Sorry, didn't finish, my trigger happy finger pushed the wrong button. I was going to sign off saying, "thanks for such a SWEET post!
    Di
    xxxx

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  82. My dear Jane and Lance, thank you so much for sharing your fascinating family history. It's very interesting to read about Romsey jam factory. I like the colour designs for the label. For some reasons, I have always thought there would be a picture of an old lady making jam on the label. Perhaps, I was mistaken with Aunt Bessie's Yorkshire Puddings. I must tell you that I thought there was a real Aunt Bessie making Yorkshire puddings in her oven when I first came to England until one day, a friend of mine from my class sat me down and explained to me in one sentence that there was no Aunt Bessie. She didn't exist. "Do you know there is no Santa Claus?" I love hearing about the history of your heritage and it's so different and unique. Thank you so much.

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    1. Now we are most disturbed, dear ASD. Do you really mean that there is no Santa Claus? Could you be mistaken? We do rather hope so!!

      We are so pleased that you found the little vignette of factory history to be of interest but are sad to report that, as far as we are aware, there never was an Aunt Bessie equivalent bent over and stirring continuously a saucepan of jam. But the labels are quite interesting today as an indicator of graphics of the past.

      We do so hope that all is well with you and that a summer sun is pouring in through the windows of St. Leonards.

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  83. My dears, I do believe that Helen is correct in the book author department, that a book penned by the Hattatts would make for interesting reading, full of intrigue, literature, art, history, and personal stories.

    Certainly the Hattatts of Romsey were indeed extraordinary people! Your recounting of riding the rollers of the assembly line on the weekend is a delightful image of times past.

    An ocean away and thousands of miles, my five sisters and I were taught by our grandmother to make marmalades and jams. My favorite of hers was a peach marmalade and I can taste it still.

    You will know when the time is right for the book and I will await word that it is ready to order.

    Bises,
    Genie

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    1. Genie, you are really too kind but it is a kindness which is hugely appreciated.

      Looking back on the 'riding of the rollers', we think that it must have been a highly dangerous thing to have done and would, nowadays, be in total contravention of all Health and Safety measures!!

      How wonderful that you were taught how to make jams and marmalade. We somewhat regret that we would have no idea where to begin. Peach marmalade, which we have never tasted, sounds positively delicious.

      Ignore the book, Genie, and when next in Europe come and hear any stories first hand - we should so like that.

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  84. Hello! I love the marmaled and jam...Beautiful post! Beautiful family story!

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    1. Thank you so much, Amin. Unfortunately, marmalade is not readily available nor usually eaten in Hungary.

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  85. I so enjoyed reading about your family business...and your childhood. Beautiful post.....Janey

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    1. Thank you, Janey, for your kind comment. We are so pleased that you enjoyed this snippet of family history.

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  86. Oooh! I really enjoyed your story today!! How wonderful that you shared your memories with us, and you could NEVER be boring dear friends. I'm sure I speak for all of here when I say we really look forward to your posts. My Nanny always had marmalade for breakfast and I must say that those beautiful labels do seem familiar to me, maybe the marmalade she bought was from The Hampshire Preserving Co.,I'm going to convince myself that she did and that therefore we have been aware of each other alllllllll those years ;))

    How brave were those ladies to not mind being attacked by the wasps, I hate the things and they always buzz around you ready to sting for no reason. Did the boys who collected the Queens bring them to the factory alive? I think you mentioned they were used to lure away the pests did you? My word more courage there then, although 6d was a hefty prize back then I suppose. Now I've suddenly got a picture of you crouched aboard that wooden board whizzing down the runway with a swarm of buzzing wasps following close behind! :)))

    Hugs to you both,
    Jane

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    1. Jane, we are so very touched, not only by your enthusiastic response to this post but also the huge generosity and kindness of what you say. And how we should love to think that your Nanny might even have given you Romsey marmalade for breakfast made, of course, 'to special standard' [whatever that might have meant!!]. But it is such a nice thought to believe that we have been connected in this way for all of these years.

      Looking back we are amazed that anyone put up with working conditions where daily you might expect to be stung. Yes, they were brought in both dead and alive, the theory being that a dead queen - we fear the live ones were instantly slaughtered - would mean fewer wasps the following season. We have no idea if it made the slightest difference.

      Riding the rollers, which were quite high off the ground, was great fun and involved passing through a series of hatches between the packing sheds. At speed if a wasp were in pursuit!!!

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  87. Jo Napot!
    I hope that is the correct greeting for today! :)
    Thank you, dear Jane and Lance, for your beautiful message this morning...
    I, too, believe that each day is absolutely precious..
    So glad you enjoyed the photos...I must say that my daughter took about half of them...(she made sure I credited her...hee) Her eye inspires me to see the artful in everything.
    A wonderful week to you,
    xoxo,
    - Irina

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    1. Instantly understood, Irina!!

      Your posts are always uplifting and meaningful and something within the Blogosphere to which we much look forward. So any thanks is entirely on our part.

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    2. I am blessed by your kindness....
      :))

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  88. What wonderful family memories! I am fascinated by the wasp queen reward program, and I think it would have been fun to see the collection process. It sounds like something that Lewis Carroll could have easily slipped into Alice ;)

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    1. Certainly, Elizabeth, we think that it was a case of 'Off with their heads'!! To the extent to which the whole programme was successful remains in some doubt.

      Delete
  89. Fascinating story of the ups and downs of our toiling around the earth. It has reminded me a bit to Thomas Mann's Buddenbrooks story, in its atmosphere.

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    1. Indeed, how the wheels of industry turn over the years and, as in this instance, grind to a halt.

      Delete
  90. Hi J & L Hattatt!

    I do not know local customs of the American people, but enjoy reading about history. Especially when it is family history. After reading your text so rich in details, I was missing a lot of my late father. He always made delicious jam sweets, especially guava.

    Kisses
    Sissym
    Blogzoom

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    1. We do find all aspects of history endlessly fascinating and like you enjoy reading about it.

      Your father's jam sweets sound particularly good and we are so sorry that he is no longer alive to make them. But you do have good memories, we are sure.

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  91. Jane and Lance,

    What a wonderful post! I am fascinate by the history of the plant and sadly its demise. I also love your memories of going to factory.

    My grandparents owned a men's clothing store, and oh the fun we had trying on the fedoras, and berets. Not to mention playing under the racks and watching the interesting men come in and try on the clothes. But alas, as in your family case, times changed and free standing stores found themselves replaced by malls.

    I hope you have a wonderful week!

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    1. Alas, too much capital investment was required to bring everything up to date - including a more modern approach to queen wasps, we imagine!!

      Your grandparents' store sounds absolutely fascinating and we can easily see all the fun that there must have been attached to it as a child. Its demise too is very much a sign of changing times. What will come after the shopping malls, arcades and centres, we wonder?

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  92. Coarse cut Seville Orange Marmalade - I may have to go out and buy a jar today, my taste buds have suddenly decided that they can only be satisfied by that wonderful taste.

    What a fascinating post, I can well imagine what fun it was for you to ride on the wooden roller tray, wonderful memories.

    I particularly like the photograph of George and Ethel.

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    1. One of the things we do miss about England living here in Hungary is the absence of marmalade, virtually unheard of and seldom available. Yes, that taste, either on toast or really good, fresh bread.

      The photograph of George and Ethel was taken in the grounds of their house on the edge of Romsey at the outbreak of war in 1939.

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  93. Oh what a wonderful post to learn of the Hattatt jams. To me there is nothing better than these types of snacks on crackers or bread. Just the other day I bought some apricot, mint, ginger, and orange marmalade and some almond butter and had myself some tasty morsels on rice crackers. Some habits should be retained and I think eating jam is one of them along with 'preserving' the historic labels of such finely made foods.

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    1. We are so very pleased that you have enjoyed the post, Linda. Your recent purchase of marmalade sounds delicious and very different. We do hope that it was as good as it sounds.

      Sadly, we no longer have any labels from the factory, the many left over were used as scrap paper over the years and no-one thought to 'preserve' any!

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  94. Hello, well I have just learnt a piece of my towns history I live in Romsey and I never knew about the Jam Factory. I have a neighbour who may remember the factory next time I see her I will ask about it.
    (Watrose is no longer on that site it is Aldi Watrose moved to a larger site in the town a few years ago )

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    1. How delighted we are to have a comment from a Romsey person, Sue. There is, of course, no reason why you should have heard of the Jam Factory as it has long since gone as, indeed, from what you say, Waitrose. However, it would be most interesting to know if your neighbour has any memories of it.

      It is years since we were in Romsey and we suspect that we should find it much changed. Pembroke House, which was in our family, was demolished for a housing estate but Newlands, towards the Braisfield turn off on Winchester Hill, which we also owned is, we understand, still there but with reduced grounds.

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  95. wow....what an extraordinary history you have.....fascinating stuff!!

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    1. Oh, many more skeletons in the cupboard, but not all suitable for blog posts!!

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  96. Oh dear, I nearly missed this entirely! It is only in seeing over at Virginia's Glamour Drops blog (thank goodness John is doing better!!!) that you are headed off to Venice that I thought, "wait a minute, I haven't heard from them in a while" and came over to investigate. What a lovely post. Time is so bendy, isn't it? These memories seem so fresh for you and so they are for me as well. The past passed on. But I am sad in that I am not patient enough to read all of the comments and it is something that I really enjoy. I did stop at Suze's and Helen Tilston's. I would start getting worked up about the prospect of a book but I know that you both would just shush me quickly but still...

    And now, for Venice...all I have to say is: !!!!! Not very inventive, I agree but it is the best that I can do in this heat. How really exciting. I have never been and really long to go. But would I want to come back? I will look forward to hearing all about it on your return.

    Until then, safe travelling please.
    Gros, gros bisous from your melted friend in Arles

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  97. I will be walking up Winchester Hill past Newlands on Wedensday morning I will take my camera with me.

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