Marmalades from across the globe arrive in Cumbria for Dalemain awards

Marmalades from India to Inverness, Hawaii and Hampshire, Brazil and Bedfordshire, Argentina, Canada, Japan, and China have all arrived ahead of the judging.

More than 600 people delivered their jars to Marmalade Collection Points around the UK from church halls to stable yards, railway stations, bus garages and at one American marmalade enthusiast’s address in New York for any American entries, which arrived in his suitcase in time for close of entry in Cumbria.

At Fortnum and Mason and Rathbones, people received a jar in return for their entry and Avanti collected jars up and down the West coast mainline which were brought by train to Penrith railway station by the 'Marmalade Express'.

Doreen judging the marmalades (Image: Hermione McCosh)Stagecoach have collected entries in their bus garage in Workington and delivered them by bus to Dalemain, Lycetts collected entries in Norfolk and Newcastle while Westmorland Family have collected entries at their farm shops along the 'Marmalade Motorway' from Gloucester services, at Tebay and in Scotland at Cairn Lodge Services.

2024 is the 19th year of the awards which were started in 2005. The newest category was for anyone within the justice system to enter as a group, under the banner of their prison.

One of this year's entries (Image: Hermione McCosh)Entries have arrived from prisons around the UK and a women’s prison in the USA.

Unusual entries from this year’s competition include an ‘accidentally burnt but delicious’ entry, rum and raison marmalade, fragrant olive, Yuzu, sake and chilli, onion, caviar and port.

Some of the marmalades on show at Dalemain (Image: Hermione McCosh)Judged by an expert panel of marmalade makers and preserve lovers, the winner will be announced on April 20.

Last year’s 2023 Homemade Winner, Tim Nind’s Seville Orange and Ginger Marmalade has sold well at Fortnum & Mason and at Dalemain, raising more than £6,000 for Hospice at Home and his chosen charity, Hessilhead Wildlife Trust in Scotland.

“The fun of the awards is seeing everyone’s precious jars arrive at Dalemain from around the world and reading the stories connected to each jar from each entrant,” said Beatrice Hasell-McCosh, director of the awards.

“Many with extraordinary and highly creative additions end up with Gold Awards and it’s brightened up an incredibly stormy January in the Lake District”.

100 per cent of the homemade competition entry fee to goes to charity.