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Jam Today

 
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RockitRon



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 7646

PostPosted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 4:48 pm    Post subject: Jam Today Reply with quote

Yet another famous British brand, once, not too long ago, all-conquering on supermarket shelves, is set to disappear with the news that Robertson's jams are to be withdrawn, following declining sales and the sale of the brand to Premier Foods, which already makes similar product under the equally-old and nearly-as-famous Hartleys.

Part of Robertson's problem was the non-politically-correct legacy of the gollywog symbol and badges, another part being the rise of the supermarket own-labels, so you could buy the same sweet, nearly tasteless confection for a fraction of the price.

My mum, and both grandmothers, used to make jams, marmalade and jellies, from summer fruit years ago; I remember the kitchen being heavy with a warm, sweet smell, and being allowed to try a sample, a small amount put on a saucer to make sure that it was of setting consistency, of what they had made; loganberry, greengage and victoria plum were my favourites (my gran on dad's side used to grow them, but they were plentiful in the shops - this year I saw a paltry few on the market, at eye-watering prices).

The practice seems to have died out, or has it? Does anyone make their own jam here?
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SantaFefan



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 11258
Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk

PostPosted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was under the impression that Hartleys appeared in the 60s but only because I remember when it appeared on our local corner shop shelves.
It was labelled "Harleys New Jam" and was sold in a different shape jar to Robertson's. ( about the same time as "TreeTop" cordial? )

I'm sure jam today isn't as nice as the old stuff, probably because of the sugar in the older jam? The stuff we buy is sugar free and hence taste free too!

I wonder if anybody really took any notice of Gollywog-gate?
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RockitRon



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 7646

PostPosted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 8:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I thought the same, SF, and remember "Hartley's New Jam", but according to the official website, and others, founder Sir William Pickles Hartley started making and selling jam in 1871!

To my mind, with the exception of blackcurrant, Robertson's jams never did have much taste, they were just sweet, especially the Golden/Silver Shred marmalades, but then we were spoiled with marmalade because mum used to get Keiller's Dundee, in the stoneware pots.

Those were the days when we used to have bread and jam for tea (a "jeely piece" as my gran used to say). Nowadays we have jam much less often - breakfast at weekends. Shop-bought jam, even the so-called premium or "extra-jam" (a horrible EU classification) such as Tiptree is pretty weak and willing, and, once opened, you have to refrigerate it to keep it!
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MadeinSurrey



Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3130
Location: The Beautiful South

PostPosted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 9:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ah, Robertsons Gollies! I used to collect those, I remember peeling the labels off the jam jars. It was so exciting when the latest Golly arrived in the post! Innocent days, shame the PC mob rule the world now.
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Lord Evan Elpuss



Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 3417
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 7:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In the 1970s, Robertson's had a hot air balloon made in the shape of their trade mark golliwog. It is now in the hands of a balloon preservation group and was inflated a few years ago at a special balloon event.
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