Silver Spoon add more than a spoonful of sugar

Richard Moore, chair and founder of Rye Wurlitzer Academy, is a legend and if you have ever been a recipient of a jar of his marvellous jam or marmalade you will know what is meant by that statement. He is kind and caring and has touched many lives and has made more jars of jam and marmalade that any person I have ever known.

Recently he contacted Silver Spoon sugar company, part of British Sugar, telling them about his jam. This is the letter he sent to them:

“On Saturday, I attended a garden party and took along a jar of home-made jam and marmalade for all those attending, forty in all. They were delighted and in conversation, someone suggested I write to you for some support, so here goes.

“For the past twenty years since we moved into our current home, I have been making jam, marmalade and chutney. We have a few fruit trees, which gives me some of the produce required, but as time has progressed I have expanded my range of flavours and since 2004 have made 16,088 jars that I have given away.

“I have never been comfortable with ‘selling’ jams, both because people give me the jars to make them with for nothing and because of the labelling regulations requiring precise percentages of ingredients and calorific content. All my jars have a personalised label to suit the occasion or the individual receiving the gift whether it be births, deaths, marriages, birthdays, retirement: you name it and I will have made a jar with a label on it.

“In recent years if there is a gift of more than ten jars I do make a note of it but here is an overview of some of the occasions on which guests have received a jar:

• 200 jars for the opening of Rye Primary School by HRH the Duke of Kent and to visit the Rye Wurlitzer in 2008. The following day a memorial service for the Hither Green rail disaster in 1967 attended by local dignitaries at Strand Quay
• Chris Evans and Stavros, Dame Vera Lynn and the lord lieutenant of East Sussex and his deputies since 2008. All Rye mayors at the end of their term of office since 2008.
• An Over 50s running group for completing the Beachy Head marathon and a local hospice for various raffles and last year to provide the jam for their Strawberry Fayre.
• Battle Abbey volunteer group as each year they let me pick the quince tree in the walled garden. Hastings Fire Station and Hastings Lifeboat Station crew for the past two years. And many more including this special jam for Olly and Rachel’s wedding.

“My personal challenge has always been to make the jar for around 50p so although people think it looks wonderful and personal to them it hasn’t cost me a lot. Recipes are apple, plum, and pear-based with foraging for blackberries in season.

“I have recently retired and set myself a challenge to make 2,000 jars this year. So far I have made 1,635 and am on target to achieve my goal. However, with rising costs I may have to reduce my production next year and in the future which will be a shame as these jam gifts do put a smile on a lot of people’s faces in the troubled and difficult times we live in.

“Apart from jam-making I have been involved for thirty-four years with the Rye Wurlitzer and its restoration and have helped to raise over £100,000 to get it in a better condition than when it arrived in the country (next year it will be 100 years and centenary concerts are planned). Since 2009 I have set up a unique project to teach students at Rye College how to learn theatre organ style and since this time raised over £120,000 to fund the scheme. Over a hundred and fifty students have learnt and enjoyed the experience and we have three national award winners under our belt. Not only is this such a wonderful hobby but there are only two organs of this kind in the world, the other being in New York state.

“To conclude: would British Sugar consider endorsing / supporting my creations with a supply of sugar over a period of time so I can continue for many years into the future with some wonderful flavours. I would be happy to endorse your support on the labels and my social media page.”This is the reply from British Sugar’s marketing assistant Charlie West:

“I have now placed the order for your jam sugar and requested the delivery date to be next Thursday (12th). I’ll keep you updated if there are any delays. We’re sending you twenty cases of 1kg jam sugar (10 bags per case), so a total of 200 x 1kg bags.

“We’re more than happy to support you and thank you so much for reaching out. It’s made all our weeks reading your letter, and it’s lovely to be able to help your cause. Thank you so much for continuing to use Silver Spoon too!

“If you ever have the chance, please feel free to send some of your jam to our office as we’d love to use it for raffles and charity work internally! We’re also dying to try it after reading the amazing testimonies.

“In what’s currently a very troubled world, hearing from you and reading your story about what you’ve been doing for those around you has reminded us all that there’s still joy and kindness, so we can’t thank you enough for getting in touch with us. I hope the sugar sees you through and please let us know if you reach 2,000!”

What a wonderful response, makes one so glad there are generous companies that can help to make a difference.

Richard will be either sending some to British Sugar, as requested, or personally visiting in November when he can find the time.

Image Credits: Olly Campion , Kt bruce , Richard Moore , Richard Moore .