Back at the beginning of the 18th century, a farming family decided to make a business from fruit farming.

Fast forward a couple of centuries and the firm is now internationally renowned and respected selling jam to almost a quarter of the world.

The name – the Wilkin and Sons.

The Wilkin family have been farming in Tiptree since 1757. Back then, it involved growing the fruit, then taking it by horse and cart to Kelvedon railway station and from there on to London for sale at the markets.

When Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone commended fruit preserving to the population, Arthur Charles Wilkin leapt on this idea.

In 1885, the Britannia Fruit Preserving Company was formed and the first Tiptree preserves were made which were sold to a merchant who would ship them to Australia.

Within ten years, more than 200 tons of fruit was being produced, half of that used for making jam.

In 1905, the company was renamed Wilkin and Sons Limited to avoid confusion with 25 other companies trading as Britannia.

The opening of a rail link between Kelvedon and Tollesbury via Tiptree did much to help the business and encouraged population growth as travel became more accessible.

Over the years, the company bought and farmed much of the land surrounding the village and even strayed as far as Dagenham and Suffolk.

The company also made its mark in the war effort during the First and Second world wars. In the First World War, 8,000 boxes of jam were sent to the front line to boost morale.

In the Second World War, there was a great shortage of labour and the threat of invasion and bomb damage.

In 1941, the company was forced to deal with retailers and forbidden to deal with the public directly.

However, after the war, the business once again began to flourish and by 1947 profits were flying.

The company now makes dozens of products including preserves, marmalades, honey, sauces, condiments, fresh fruit, teas, cakes, biscuits, gift packs, gins, fruit juices and even Christmas puddings.

Its signature fruit, grown only at Tiptree, is the Little Scarlet strawberry.

Today, the farms in Tiptree and Goldhanger cover 850 acres.

Fruit crops include strawberries, raspberries, mulberries, Morello cherries, rhubarb, damson, Victoria plum, greengage, quince and the curious medlar.

The success of their produce has received tributes including from the Royal family.

Royal Warrants are awarded to certain individuals who have supplied the British Royal family with high quality goods and services over many years.

Wilkin and Sons received its first Royal Warrant from George V in 1911, and each subsequent monarch has continued the tradition.

The company presently holds the Royal Warrant as purveyors of Tiptree Products to the Queen who visited the jam factory for its 125th anniversary.

Wilkin and Sons has also added businesses to its portfolio including Cole’s Puddings, Jules and Sharpie, and Thursday Cottage.