Since mid-January, readers have been writing in about their marmalade-making habits and reflections on longevity. Here are the letters we have published so far …
13 January
My wife has just made 18lb of marmalade. She is 77 and I am 78. Which of the three of us will last the longest (Letters, 10 January)?
Terry Swann
Sheffield
15 January
Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Swann (Letters, 13 January) on their optimism in making marmalade at the ages of 77 and 78. I, too, have just made 18lb. I live on my own and shall be 84 next month. Hope triumphant?
David Hitchin
Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire
16 January
At just 82 years old, after years of delicious homemade Seville orange delight, changed circumstances recently forced the purchase of a single 350g jar of marmalade. Should I be worried or would buying a whole case improve my prospects (Letters, 15 January)?
Valerie Lewis
Wantage, Oxfordshire
17 January
My husband, aged 88, has just made 41lb of marmalade, and he will probably consume it all himself given the opportunity.
Jaqueline Ferrier
Tiverton, Devon
20 January
A mere 77-year-old making a piffling 15lb of marmalade (Letters, 17 January), I accidently sliced into my finger, and as I am on blood thinners and was alone in the house, I did have doubts whether I might not get to the end of the process, or the process might outlive me.
Deb Masters
Portchester, Portsmouth
I cant compete in the marmalade-making stakes, but do wonder how much might fit into a 35mm film canister.
Patrick Wallace
London
21 January
My husband will be 89 in July and I will be 74 in August. We have just booked a cruise to the Azores and Iceland for 2022. We are so busy that we dont have time to make marmalade.
Val Harrison
Birmingham
23 January
The marmalade correspondence has run its course, surely? Can we now please have jam tomorrow?
Adrian Brodkin
London
24 January
A heartfelt endorsement, from this 85-year-old, of Adrian Brodkins plea for jam tomorrow, or at least this year (Letters, 23 January). Our damson tree usually provides fruit for up to 40lb of jam, but last year not a single damson.
Betty Clarke
Malvern, Worcestershire
25 January
Plenty of marmalade still hanging around then (Letters, 21 January). My 95-year-old wife has had me (90) slicing orange peel for the last three hours, and weve still some left on the shelf from last years batch. So why make 18 jars more? Answer: to give away. Marmalade is a wonderful gift for the friend who has everything.
W Paul Wilkinson
Atherstone, Warwickshire
27 January
Finding it difficult to buy Seville oranges to make marmalade (Letters, 25 January), Ive switched to buying the concentrated tinned brand, which I find a reasonable substitute as I like to give jars for friends birthdays at my local retired mens club. If asked whether making it or consuming it contributed to my reaching the age of 95, the answer is no that is, in order of priority, genes, lifestyle and the NHS.
Bill Mason
Beckenham, Kent
28 January
At 85, I am still making marmalade (Letters, 27 January), at the only time of the year when I am allowed control of the kitchen. I remain competitive, coming second in the village show in 2019, but after several lean years. However, a jar of my marmalade, unplaced in Suffolk, was taken to Somerset, rebranded, and came first in a WI competition there. A prophet not honoured in his own county perhaps?
Alan Mackley
Blythburgh, Suffolk
29 January
You are never too old to make marmalade (Letters, 28 January) and, as founder of the International Marmalade Awards, which have been running for 15 years, I can speak with authority. The very popular Octogenarians and over category in the competition receives entries from all over the world. We hope more and more people will make marmalade regardless of their age and enter a jar or two into our competition in aid of hospice work globally.
Jane Hasell-McCosh
Penrith, Cumbria
30 January
My 82-year-old husband is also making marmalade this week (Letters, passim). Can we start an octogenarian Guardian readers marmalade-making club? Sharing tips would be useful.
Anne Titley
Kington, Herefordshire
I dont like marmalade. How should I occupy myself in my declining years?
Anne Cowper
Llandeilo Ferwallt, Gower
31 January
Re an octogenarian Guardian readers marmalade-making club (Letters, 30 January), could it be called the Preservation Order?
Michael Cunningham
Wolverhampton
1 February
Congratulations on your brave decision to stop taking money from companies that extract fossil fuels (Guardian drops ads from fossil fuel companies, 30 January). Greenpeace calls for others to follow suit, prompting this marmalade consumer (who merely adds the labels to his wifes confection) to triple his admittedly tiny subscription to your inspiring newspaper.
David Yates
Eccles, Greater Manchester
Can I join the search to find the oldest marmalade-making Guardian readers (Letters, 31 January)? At 92 and a half, I have just made enough marmalade to last a year with help in lifting a heavy jam pan! I use a family recipe older than me, originating in 1926 with a master baker in Cinderford.
Elizabeth Green
Brockenhurst, Hampshire
Forget printing articles about wellness. It seems that marmalade holds the key to a long, healthy life.
Pat Wakeling
Nottingham
4 February
Its about 45 years ago since the Guardian last ran a lengthy correspondence on growing loofahs (Letters, 1 February). We tried to grow them at the time on our bathroom windowsill but only produced fruit the size of small gherkins a horticultural triumph but useless for washing purposes. I wonder if global warming would make it worth our while to repeat the experiment? And might loofahs perhaps replace marmalade as your next topic thread?
Jane McAdoo
London
5 February
I had a serious head injury a year ago and was told that, among other things, it might have an effect on my taste buds. It has where marmalade is concerned (Letters, 1 February). I used to love it the chunkier and more bitter the better. Now I hate it. What on earth can I put on my toast? / What I loved I now hate the most. / January wont be the same. / When the pan doesnt boil oer the flame.
Elizabeth Earl
Winsham, Somerset
6 February
May I, a 95-year-old, second-generation Guardian reader, join the marmalade marathon (Letters, 5 February). This year I have made 6lb of grapefruit marmalade and 20lb of Seville orange. I hope to live to enjoy it all!
Joy Nalpanis
Reading, Berkshire
I have never made marmalade. But I still do create jams/chutneys for my friends. To keep them on their toes, I also write the labels. Rosepetal and Earwig was a favourite!
Yvonne Malik
Wray, Lancashire
7 February
Im very glad that Jane McAdoo remembers the Great Guardian Diary Loofahs from all those years ago (Letters, 4 February). I still have them: one skinned, one unskinned. They dont get a lot of use now but are often admired. Until the seeds finally worked their way out, the unskinned one was also a handy rattle/baby distracter. My wife and I have interrupted our marmalade-making to send this.
Martin Wainwright
(Guardian Diary editor in the good old loofah days) Thrupp, Oxfordshire
Atrophied (Wordwheel, G2, 4 February)? This 88-year-old made Aphrodite (and marmalade).
Judith Bennett
Sturminster Newton, Dorset
8 February
My dear husband, who at 80-plus makes delicious marmalade (Letters, 7 February), has just labelled this years batch The Last Hurrah. Oh dear.
Hazel Harrison
Norwich
Join the discussion send your letters about marmalade (or any other subject) to guardian.letters@theguardian.com
Read the latest the Guardian letters visit gu.com/letters
Recent Comments