Unexpected Essex

Episode 2: By Their Fruits Shall Ye Know Them – The Jam Makers of Essex

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Unexpected Essex

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Summary

Join Eri Berry as she explores a sweeter side of Essex in this deep dive into the history of one of the county’s most beloved products – Tiptree Jam!

Eri has loved Tiptree Jam since she was a child and thoroughly enjoyed researching the history of Wilkin and Sons Limited who have been manufacturing jam in the village of Tiptree for over 140 years. From humble beginnings to a globally recognised brand, this episode pays tribute to a truly Essex company. Sit back, grab a cup of tea, maybe some toast or a scone, and enjoy!

With special thanks to Wilkin & Sons Ltd for kindly granting permission to use some of their images for the video!

Key Names/Places:

Tiptree Jam, Wilkin & Sons Ltd., Tiptree, Essex

Transcript

Ep 2 – By Their FruitsDownload

Sources:

Jam Today: the Story of Wilkin & Sons – Published by Wilkin & Sons Ltd. [2004]

Wilkin & Sons Ltd.: 125 Years of Making Jam in Tiptree: a Celebration – Published by Wilkin & Sons Ltd. [2010]

www.tiptree.com – Official website of Wilkin & Sons Ltd.

Link to the pictures of Queen Mary’s Dolls House referenced in the episode can be found here.

DISCLAIMER:

This episode was not sponsored by Wilkin & Sons Ltd. This is a passion project, and is not affiliated with them in any way.

While I do my best to bring you accurate, well-researched content, I’m only human! If you spot a mistake, have a correction, or want to share additional context, please feel free to reach out via email at unexpectedessex@gmail.com.

Image Attribution:

Image:Source Name:Source URL:Attribution:Licence Type:Date Downloaded:Modified?
01 Tiptree Village SignWikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tiptree_Village_sign_-_geograph.org.uk_-_5180444.jpgTiptree Village sign by Geographer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 2.023/09/2026No
02 Domesday BookWikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pictures_of_English_History_Plate_XII_-_Domesday_Book.jpgJoseph Martin Kronheim (1810–96)[1], Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain23/09/2026No
03 PigWikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Shiels_(1783-1857)_-_A_Berkshire_Pig_-_H.OD_100_-_National_Museum_of_Rural_Life.jpgWilliam Shiels, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain23/09/2026No
04 SmugglingWikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:George_Morland_-_Smugglers_-_B1985.36.1390_-_Yale_Center_for_British_Art.jpgGeorge Morland, CC0, via Wikimedia CommonsCC023/09/2026No
05 John MechiWikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:J_J_Mechi.jpgIllustrated London News January 8, 1881, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain23/09/2026No
06 Arthur Charles WilkinWilkin & Sons LtdN/ACopyright: Wilkin & Sons LtdUsed with Permission23/09/2026No
07 Samuel MorleyWikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Samuel_Morley_MP.pngH. Manesse, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain23/09/2026No
08 Prime Minister GladstoneWikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Ewart_Gladstone_portrait.jpgSee page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain23/09/2026No
09 Little Scarlet JamFlickrhttps://flic.kr/p/2o7okw1“Tiptree Strawberry Little Scarlet Conserve” by Brett Jordan, CC BY 2.0CC BY 2.023/09/2026No
10 Charles John WilkinWilkin & Sons LtdN/ACopyright: Wilkin & Sons LtdUsed with Permission23/09/2026No
11 Crab and Winkle RailwayWikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tollesbury_railway_station,_1904.gifSee page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain23/09/2026No
12 King George VWikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arthur_Stockdale_Cope_-_George_V_1933.jpgArthur Stockdale Cope, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain23/09/2026No
13 WW1 Recruiting AdvertWikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kitchener-Britons.jpgAlfred Leete, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain23/09/2026No
14 Stow Maries Village SignWikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stow_maries_sign.jpgTerryjoyce, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 3.023/09/2026No
15 Queen MaryWikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Queenmaryformalportrait_edit3.jpgW. & D. Downey, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain23/09/2026No
16 Wall Street CrashWikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crowds_gathering_outside_New_York_Stock_Exchange.jpgAssociated Press, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain23/09/2026No
17 WW2 GasmasksWikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Souvenirs_From_Ww2_(37685552).jpegFrederic De Villamil, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 3.023/09/2026No
18 Ration bookWikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sample_UK_Childs_Ration_Book_WW2.jpgThe National Archives UK, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain23/09/2026No
19 Thomas George WilkinWilkin & Sons LtdN/ACopyright: Wilkin & Sons LtdUsed with Permission23/09/2026No
20 Arthur Frederick WilkinWilkin & Sons LtdN/ACopyright: Wilkin & Sons LtdUsed with Permission23/09/2026No
21 Queen Elizabeth IIWikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Queen_Elizabeth_II_official_portrait_for_1959_tour_(retouched)_(cropped)_(3-to-4_aspect_ratio).jpgDonald McKague, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain23/09/2026No
22 StrawberriesWikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Barton_Stone_Hays_-_Strawberries_-_1992.6_-_Indianapolis_Museum_of_Art.jpgBarton S. Hays, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain23/09/2026No
23 Lemon curdWikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lemon_curd-2.jpgjules, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsCC BY 2.023/09/2026No
24 Christmas puddingWikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christimas_pudding_2013.jpgSmabs Sputzer (1956-2017), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsCC BY 2.023/09/2026No
25 MuseumWilkin & Sons LtdN/ACopyright: Wilkin & Sons LtdUsed with Permission23/09/2026No
26 Weather map of the storm of 1987Wikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Great_storm_of_1987.svgSyntaxTerror, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain23/09/2026No
27 Cream TeaEri BerryN/ACream Tea photo by Eri Berry – Unexpected Essex / CC BY 4.0CC BY 4.023/09/2026No
28 1 oz jarsFlickrhttps://flic.kr/p/296Eiu“Cunard QM2. Food” by Tom Mascardo, CC BY-ND 2.0CC BY-ND 2.023/09/2026No
30 King Charles IIIWikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:King_Charles_III_(July_2023).jpgWhite House, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain23/09/2026No

Intro:

Image:Source Name:Source URL:Attribution:Licence Type:Date Downloaded:Modified?
Bridge End Gardens Saffron Walden.jpgFlickrhttps://flic.kr/p/dxR7Ki“Meeting up with Ola, Lisa, and Rex in Saffron Walden” by Tim Regan, CC BY 2.0CC BY 2.031/08/2026No
Chelmsford Cathedral.jpgFlickrhttps://flic.kr/p/7u9rHa“Chelmsford Cathedral” by fourthandfifteen, CC BY 2.0CC BY 2.031/08/2026No
Southend Pier With Greenery.jpgFlickrhttps://flic.kr/p/6Fe3eX“Southend Pier.” by Jim Linwood, CC BY 2.0CC BY 2.031/08/2026No
Colchester Castle.jpgFlickrhttps://flic.kr/p/DqxK3b“Colchester Castle” by William Marnoch, CC BY 2.0CC BY 2.031/08/2026No
Mersea Island Beach Huts.jpgFlickrhttps://flic.kr/p/2kYHhzg“Pretty pastel beach huts” by Jerry Clack, CC BY 2.0CC BY 2.031/08/2026No
Hobbs Cross Harlow.jpgFlickrhttps://flic.kr/p/2jtpvVB“Hobbs Cross, Harlow” by Sludge G, CC BY-SA 2.0CC BY-SA 2.031/08/2026No
Finchingfield.jpgFlickrhttps://flic.kr/p/7TWVL6“Finchingfield” by Brian Snelson, CC BY 2.0CC BY 2.031/08/2026No
Harlow Riverboats Sunset.jpgFlickrhttps://flic.kr/p/2f1Tuvv“Harlow” by Kent Wang, CC BY-SA 2.0CC BY-SA 2.031/08/2026No
St Peter on the Wall.jpgFlickrhttps://flic.kr/p/2pbUhCC“Chapel of St Peter on the Wall” by Tom Bastin, CC BY 2.0CC BY 2.031/08/2026No
Swans River Stour.jpgFlickrhttps://flic.kr/p/2jwdsfA“River Stour” by Jason Boldero, CC BY 2.0CC BY 2.031/08/2026No
Thaxted Guildhall and Church.jpgFlickrhttps://flic.kr/p/4qhScp“Thaxted guildhall” by Marco Chiesa, CC BY 2.0CC BY 2.031/08/2026No
Hedingham Castle.jpgFlickrhttps://flic.kr/p/2m7mEwe“Hedingham Castle – Norman Keep in England” by Steve Knight, CC BY 2.0CC BY 2.005/09/2026No
Hatfield Forest Lake.jpgFlickrhttps://flic.kr/p/2cXBELC“Hatfield Forest Lake” by Jason Boldero, CC BY 2.0CC BY 2.031/08/2026No

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