Family-owned Cheshire preserve business Darlington and Daughters have announced the launch of a limited-edition version of their bestselling Strawberry Jam and Legendary Lemon Curd to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
Mrs Darlington’s was established in 1980 and remains family run by Marion Darlington and her two daughters, Wendy and Sarah. The female trio wanted to pay tribute to the soldiers and armed forces that give so much to the country. They chose the charity SSAFA, who provide invaluable support to soldiers and their families and will be making a donation from every jar sold.
VE Day is personally important to the Darlington family. Wendy and Sarah’s Uncle William was one of the many brave soldiers rescued from the beaches of Dunkirk.
Marion Darlington, self-made matriarch of Mrs Darlington’s said: “SSAFA is a wonderful charity, close to our family’s hearts and I know both William and my husband Tom would have been delighted for us to offer them support.
Wendy Darlington added: “Lemon Curd and Strawberry jam are our hero products – much loved by families around the country. We hope by creating the limited edition jars we’ll be able to make a small difference in the lives of soldiers and their families and give something back to the men, like our Uncle William, who gave and continue to give us so much.’
Marion and Tom Darlington launched Mrs Darlington’s, when as a Cheshire housewife Marion needed to use the excess of eggs, they had available from the farm. She created her Legendary Lemon Curd and sold it at local farm shops and country shows. Soon Marion couldn’t keep up with the demand – even with the help of her daughters who happily mop-capped the jars after school for pocket money!
Tom Darlington converted farmyard barns to create a larger jam producing kitchen and Mrs Darlington’s was born. Today the family have a range of over 80 products, which are sold in 3000 independent retailers nationally and internationally. Wendy and Sarah are very hands-on operators of the much-loved brand which now produces a range of curds, jams, marmalades, pickles, chutneys, sauces and jellies – still all produced independently by the Darlington family in the rolling countryside of Cheshire.