NEWS FROM 2019

Celebrating 100th birthday

We were delighted to welcome Betty to Tiptree in January to mark the celebration of her 100th birthday with her family. She enjoyed a special cream tea and was given a small flower arrangement in her favourite colours. Walter Scott, Chairman of the company, joined Betty to wish her a very happy day.

New Tiptree truck proves its life-saving potential

Tim Sharp, a Wilkin & Sons’ driver, was at the wheel of his new Mercedes-Benz Actros when a woman stepped off the kerb in front of him – and the truck’s Active Brake Assist 4 emergency braking system intervened instantly to prevent an accident.

“I was on my way out of London,” he recalled. “A lady was on her phone and decided to take a short cut to a zebra crossing. The vehicle picked up on her before I could, and it brought me safely to a halt in good time. I didn’t touch anything; the truck did it all. And the speed with which it did so... I was just blown away. Fantastic!”

Active Brake Assist 4 employs multi-mode radar to monitor moving and stationary objects in front of the vehicle and sounds an audible warning when it senses potential for a collision. If the driver takes no action, it will apply staged braking followed by full braking power to prevent a crash, or dramatically reduce the effects of an impact. The system is looking for moving pedestrians from a standstill, even one stepping into the truck’s path from behind a parked car.

We have an amazing team of drivers and some very special trucks - their distinctive green and gold colours can be spotted on motorways and while delivering Tiptree products to customers across the country.

“WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOME” - May

THE WILKIN TRADITION CONTINUES

Wilkin & Sons were delighted to hand thirteen new 1-3 bed homes over to staff on Thursday where Walter Scott, Chairman of Wilkin & Sons, cut the ribbon to officially open the new Nine Acres site opposite the jam factory. Walter was joined by Peter Wilkin, the directors, Mark Vanson the project manager, Crest Nicholson’s site manager and the young families who are just moving into their new homes.

“We are proud to continue the Wilkin tradition of providing local homes for our staff. I can remember when this was a field and now there are homes and open spaces for local families just a few steps away from their work,” said Walter Scott. “It is a lovely opportunity to offer these homes to our staff and we hope they will all be very happy – at least they already know their neighbours!”

These new highly energy efficient homes continue a Wilkin tradition, first started over 100 years ago of providing accommodation for their staff. During Victorian times many benevolent companies provided homes for their workforce: Francis Henry Crittall conceived the idea of a model village at Silver End, Cadbury’s built a community in Bourneville, Levers had a large village at Port Sunlight and Sir Titus Salt developed an amazing textile mill and village homes at Saltaire, which is now a world heritage site, each company creating local accommodation for their workers but we think Wilkin & Sons are one of a very few who continue this tradition.

“Preserving the Peace” - June

Surprise drop into Open Farm Sunday

Visitors to Open Farm Sunday at Wilkin & Sons’ farm at Tiptree were amazed to see a BE2e aircraft approaching a nearby field and dropping a message streamer requesting “more jam”; replicating an act that took place 100 years ago during the First World War. People left the tasting tables where they had been enjoying fresh strawberries and juicy cherries, curds, jams and cakes to watch this historic aircraft as it flew over the wheat fields and dropped the streamer with messages, this time, about “preserving the peace”.

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, the WW1 Aviation Heritage Trust and Tiptree farms worked together to recreate the dropping of a replica message streamer. On Sunday it contained messages from HM Lord Lieutenant of Essex Jenny Tolhurst, Dan Snow MBE and Lt. Col. Steve Caldwell but this time, about “preserving the peace”.

Chairman of the WWI Aviation Heritage Trust, Dick Forsythe, gave a commentary of the progress of the BE2e as it approached the Tiptree farm. The most poignant time was as Dick read a letter from Lt Colin Milburn, a young pilot who thanked Wilkin & Sons for jam in a letter dated 6th January 1918, sadly Lt Milburn was killed less than a month after his letter was written. Dick Forsythe said, “it’s a great pleasure to be part of this event and as a charity our role is to preserve the heritage of World War 1 for future generations.”

The streamer and pouch were collected from the field by Arnold Frost, Tiptree’s sign writer, and presented to Walter Scott, chairman of Wilkin & Sons who said: “I’d like to thank the WW1 Aviation Heritage Trust and our friends at Stow Maries for their work in recreating this amazing flypast. Open Farm Sunday is a national event, but we concentrate on farming in this area: with Wicks Manor Pork, the delicious fruit and vegetable displays, huge farm machinery on show, a bee enthusiast along with hawks, lawn mowers, charity stands and an interactive field to fork display of wheat”

Open Farm Sunday is a great opportunity for visitors to take a ride across the farm to see the different fruits that are grown at Tiptree and the acres of strawberry plants, many loaded with ripe berries, waiting for the next morning’s pickers. The event provides fun for the family, a taster of local food and this year a special message “preserving the peace” thanks to the visit of the BE2e.

World Record breaking Tiptree Strawberry Race - July

At Sixties theme event

The fastest picker at the annual Tiptree Little Scarlet Race, Nicolae Petrechivta, has beaten our world record with an amazing pick of 8.92 kilos in just one hour. He was joined by farm workers, guest teams and staff teams who competed to be fastest picker and the best dressed – sixties style. The race started with the traditional horn blowing as pickers tried to pick as many tiny Little Scarlet strawberries as possible on what was a magnificent summers day.

As he presented the prizes Walter Scott, chairman of Wilkin & Sons Ltd said, “welcome everyone and what wonderful attire on this beautiful day. Last year I remarked that the Tiptree Strawberry Race was a quirky event similar to the Maldon Mud Race; but unlike that muddy event we are dependent on the weather and this year we had to delay the race because of the late harvest. Walter then introduced Debbie de Boltz from Farleigh Hospice who said: “A huge thank you to the staff of Wilkin & Sons for voting for Farleigh Hospice to be this year’s Strawberry Race charity. Farleigh provides care for people with life limiting illness. Our pledge is that they will receive care free of charge and it is thanks to people like you and Tiptree that we can do this. We ask for money, we spend it, then we ask for more – it really works – thank you!!”

The competition lasts just one hour, the fruit is then weighed, put into a chill store and then taken to the jam factory where it will be made into Little Scarlet Strawberry Conserve; before being shipped to shops and hotels in the UK, Paris, New York and Sydney.

Results

Fastest picker Nicolae Petrechivta of Romania with 8.92 kilos

Fastest team – guests - English Spirit Distillery 12.42 kilos

Best dressed individual - Coral Salmon of Dummett Copp LLP

Best dressed guest team - Crest Nicholson Eastern

Best dressed – in house team – Pudding Room Ladies

The Little Scarlet Festival - July

Wilkin and Sons welcomed 1000 local people to the fourth Little Scarlet Festival, set within the farm at Tiptree.

The Little Scarlet Festival is a local community music festival and an opportunity for Wilkin & Sons to say thank you to the community for their support.

KYDS, the local youth drama society opened the main stage and 6 local bands performed on the stage which is constructed from 2 green Tiptree lorries.

This year’s line- up of local bands was; The Significant Others, Joel Fisk & The Breakdown, The Phil Jackson Rock ‘n’ Roll Band, The Bay Horse Boys, J.S & The Lockerbillies and the headliners were The Rhythm Rockits.

A “busk stop” presented budding musicians with the opportunity to show off their talent by signing up on the day to sing. ‘Gunpowder Gertie’ entertained the children with her fun and interactive show, whilst the adults could sample a Gin Fizz or a Little Scarlet Strawberry beer and enjoy the music. Freshly picked strawberries and ice cream were available and Meelyhoops encouraged all ages to try hula-hooping! Local firm Millins provided the hot dogs and burgers and Organic Alex served up some delicious Vegan food.

“What a wonderful day! This festival continues to develop each year, we love seeing lots of the same faces, as well as new ones from the community enjoying the day” said Jeanette Lynes, Festival Co Founder.

Joint Managing Director Chris Newenham thanked everyone who attended on the day and those who helped to organise the event raising valuable funds for Diabetes UK.

Closing the festival, The Rythmn Rockits led a ‘Tiptree Jam’ with the crowd joining in to sing along.

Tiptree Welcome Evening in Southwold – October

Tiptree’s first tea room in Suffolk was on show to guests from local organisations and friends of Tiptree on Tuesday evening when they all had an opportunity to enjoy some tasty dishes from the tea room kitchen. Walter Scott, Chairman of Wilkin & Sons, welcomed the Mayor of Southwold, Cllr Ian Bradbury and other guests to the remarkable new tea room.

“Suffolk, and particularly Southwold, has always had an attraction to me and to many of our staff based in Tiptree,” said Walter Scott. “We like to think that we can bring a touch of our own company’s heritage to the new tea room in this lovely setting; our company has 250 years of farming and 130 years of jam making history to share. We would like to thank the Mayor and our new friends in the town for making us all feel so welcome.”

“Isn’t this amazing! Our first Tiptree tea room outside Essex and we are delighted to be in Southwold; we have a great team of local staff including Shelby Cunnigham, who is our new Manageress” said Scott Goodfellow, Joint Managing Director of Wilkin & Sons. “In the 3 months since we opened the door to customers we have been extremely busy serving summer visitors and local residents who cannot wait to return to enjoy our popular cream teas and the delicious Tiptree Gin liqueurs. Thank you to the Southwold community for your warm welcome and support.”

A special attraction during the evening was a chance for each guest to create their own label for their jar of Tiptree conserve and taste the wide range of Tiptree liqueurs.

The Tiptree tea room in Southwold had a soft opening on the 27th June and has proved popular with summer customers; especially on a sunny day when they can enjoy the suntrap outside seating area. The team look forward to welcoming new and returning customers for their Tiptree experience in Southwold.

Britain’s Best Bread Bakers Unwrapped - October

Stars of the bread-baking world gathered together at St John’s Church, Hyde Park, London on Tuesday 15 October 2019 for the much-anticipated announcement of the winners of Tiptree World Bread Awards with Brook Food www.worldbreadawards.com

The awards ceremony was hosted by Stephen Hallam, Master Baker, Managing Director of Dickinson & Morris and Chair of the Judges who was delighted to declare Hippy Bread made by Andy Strang, of Bread by Bike, Kentish Town, overall winner of the Awards 2019.

He was presented with a cheque for £1000, a Tiptree hamper, KitchenAid equipment and trophy by Scott Goodfellow, Joint Managing Director of Tiptree.

Andy’s triumph came from his win of the Brook Food Authentic Sourdough with Added Ingredients category for which his trophy was presented by Steve Wells, Commercial Director, Brook Food.

“The field was more competitive than ever,” says Stephen Hallam, whose fellow judges, all 100 of them, included Apollonia Poilâne of the legendary Paris bakery Poilâne and Harry Lomas, Executive Head Chef, Wembley Stadium.

Andy beat off competition from hundreds of loaves sent in from around the United Kingdom – delivered by courier, taxi and in person on the morning of the judging at Cathedral Hall, Westminster Cathedral, to ensure maximum freshness.

Tiptree World Bread Awards with Brook Food, launched in January 2013, seek to celebrate the very best of British bread baking. “The choice, range and quality of bread in Britain today is immense,” says Caroline Kenyon, Director of the Awards.

America’s best loaf at the Tiptree World Bread Awards - October

Stars of the bread-baking world gathered together at Landmark on the Park, Manhattan, New York City on Wednesday October 30 for the hotly-anticipated announcement of the winners of the 2019 Tiptree World Bread Awards supported by American Bakers’ Association

The glamorous awards ceremony was hosted by Stephen Hallam, Master Baker, Managing Director of Dickinson & Morris in England and Chair of the Judges who was delighted to declare Jonathan Bethony of Seylou, Washington, DC as Overall Winner for his loaf ‘Pain Au Levain’. Philippine Coste, Export Sales Manager, Wilkin & Sons Limited and Stephen Hallam, Chair of Judges handed Jonathan a cheque for $1000, a Tiptree hamper and trophy.

Jonathan beat off competition from loaves sent in from around the United States – delivered by courier and in person on the morning of the judging at Landmark on the Park to ensure maximum freshness.

“The field was incredibly competitive,” says Stephen Hallam, whose fellow judges, more than 30 of them, included legendary bakers Zachary Golper of Bien Cuit, David and Tracey Zabar of Zabars, the historic New York food emporium.

Tiptree World Bread Awards supported by American Bakers Association seek to celebrate the very best of American bread baking. “Only our second year in the USA and we have had a bumper crop of amazing entries,” says Caroline Kenyon, Director of the Awards. “The choice, range and quality of bread in America today is immense.” www.worldbreadawardsusa.com

It’s party time with new Tiptree Cocktail Fizz Cans October

Five Ready To Drink Tiptree Cocktail Fizz Cans have been released by Wilkin & Sons just in time for the busy Christmas party season. The smartly striped and highly “instagrammable” cans are best served chilled. The current range includes: 2 gin cocktails, 2 vodka cocktails and 1 rum cocktail in 250ml cans.

Tiptree Raspberry & Rose Gin Fizz, Tiptree Rhubarb & Ginger Gin Fizz, Tiptree Strawberries & Cream Soda Vodka Fizz, Tiptree Salted Caramel & Apple Vodka Fizz, Tiptree Spiced Rum & Ginger Rum Fizz.

Scott Goodfellow, Joint Managing Director of Wilkin & Sons confirmed: “Our Tiptree Fruit Gin, Vodka, and Rum Liqueurs range has gone from strength to strength over the last few years. These new RTD Cocktail Fizz Cans pair our favourite Tiptree Liqueurs with the perfect mixers and are ideal for parties, festivals, and events. We are excited to be launching the range across Sainsbury’s and independent stores this November.”

“Made in Britain” Tiptree on TV - November

A fascinating insight into British industry showing the intricacies of making simple and fantastic products. “Made in Britain” shown on ITV Four the 13th November selected a diverse group of products: The programme featured Tiptree jam, safety razors, mattresses and clocks a real insight into the expertise and commitment that goes into making these products.

The TV crew filmed at Tiptree in mid summer when the strawberries were at their peak and ready to be made into Strawberry Conserve. Chris Newenham walks and talks among the strawberries while Tracy Warren guides us through the jam making process in the factory. A great programme – with some surprising glimpses into the world of manufacturing in Britain.

Phil Vickery & Tiptree on ITV “This Morning” - December

The ITV “This Morning” cameras and chef Phil Vickery filmed late Autumn fruit at Goldhanger, then visited the Tiptree jam factory and the museum. The feature with Phil Vickery and some of the people from Wilkin & Sons will be screened on Friday 6 December.

Late autumn fruits on the farm include raspberries, quince and medlars – which ones will be shown? Wonder if they will photoshop the poppies!

Watch out for one of Phil’s special recipes – apparently, it’s a secret, even we don’t know what he is making but it should be on our recipe page after the programme.