Burpham Pages is all about ‘local’. Local community, local businesses and local events. We’ve recently been exploring local produce and in doing so have spoken to Jackie Turner who runs ‘Sister’s Preserves’.

In 2016 I grew an abundance of tomatoes and by September I was left with a lot of unripe ones. I experimented with my Mum’s runner bean pickle recipe from the 1970s and gave my brother, Tony, a few jars of the resulting, yummy green tomato chutney. He served some in baguettes and ploughman’s lunches in his Wiltshire deli. One customer liked it so much he asked if he could buy a jar. Tony replied, “I don’t have any to sell, my sister makes it, I’ll ask her.” The next few times the same guy came into the shop he asked, “Have you got any of your sister’s chutney?” …and so, my brand name was born!

I did a lot of research, got qualified in food safety and hygiene, had our kitchen and practices inspected by Guildford Borough Council (which wasn’t as scary as you might think!), and started making chutney to sell at fairs and farm shops. Since then, I have extended the range of chutneys and added jams, marmalade, mustard and other products depending on the season.

Great tasting products should be available locally, and buying from a small business makes a real difference to real people. I love to use traditional, family recipes, but also to experiment and create new combinations of flavours. I now have returning customers saying it is the best jam and chutney they have tasted!

Great tasting products should be available locally, and buying from a small business makes a real difference to real people.

I pick a lot of the produce myself, working with the seasons; picking rhubarb in April, strawberries in June, blackcurrants, elderflowers and tomatoes in July, beetroots and plums in August, apples and elderberries in September and quinces in October. Several friends and neighbours swap a bag of something they have grown for a jar of something I have made. I love the community feel this brings to my work.

Sustainability is important to me so my glass jars are made in Britain from partially recycled glass, and are fully recyclable.

Sustainability is important to me so my glass jars are made in Britain from partially recycled glass, and are fully recyclable. My gift boxes contain only biodegradable materials, no plastic; and at Christmas time I use natural baskets and biodegradable cellophane to create a range of tasty hampers.

You can find Jackie’s products for sale in:

• Solar Sisters, Guildford
• The Crossroads Stores, West Horsley
• Taste Deli, Warminster

Find out more at:
www.facebook.com/SistersPreserves