Norfolk Stawberry Pudding Day Saturday 11th July

Norfolk Farming families are coming together for the first Norfolk Strawberry Pudding Day at Wroxham Barns on Saturday 11th July to provide free samples of one of the most traditional strawberry deserts of the last century; Eton Mess.
The pudding, which since the 1930’s has been served at a picnic on the playing fields of  Eton each summer, consists of sweet ripe strawberries, chilled whipped cream and crisp meringue all stirred together, hence the name “mess”

Strawberry grower Peter Dickie, who with the help of his wife Joan has been growing strawberries at Wood Berry Farm  Wicklewood near Wymondham for 10 years says
“we’re harvesting Elsanta Strawberries at the moment; which are wonderfully aromatic and ideal for Eton Mess. With soft fruit the less it travels the tastier it is; so buying from your local grower really makes a difference.”
July is the busiest period on the farm which grows 31/2 acres of the fruit under glass.
“The whole family is involved with our daughter Catriona making jams and son Ewan and elder daughter Fritha helping to load the vans and do everything else” says Peter.

At Frettneham just north of Norwich another farming family is providing the cream for the pudding.  The Norton family, who have farmed at Church Farm for over 60 years, produce fresh milk cream and butter from their 70 strong Nortons Dairy herd.  
David and Philip Norton are the third generation to be carrying on the farming tradition  and with their wives Ruth and Rona and other family members from the next generation they opened the new dairy 2 years ago.
“Because we do not over process our cream the taste and texture are just wonderful, it makes it ideal for Eton mess “
 
The meringues are being made at Reepham  by Salle Organics from their free range organic eggs
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Free samples of Eton Mess will be available at the Norfolk Strawberry Pudding day on Saturday 11th July, 10-2 pm at the Produced In Norfolk Farmers Market at Wroxham Barns There will also be fresh strawberries to taste plus strawberry ice cream