Just over a week to go , October 1st is dawning.

Cant believe countdown has come around so fast. No, not to Christmas although the shops are already gearing up for it ...what an awful thought to be so prepared. We are just putting the finishing touches and arrangements to the World Jam Festival. The judges have all tasted and voted and then tasted again. Pulling the winners of each section out so Andrew Pern,our patron and Michelin starred chef could make his decision who will be this years overall winner. We have created a few random winners too from the jars we had in. Mrs Pern joined in too and so we have Mrs Perns's favourite, we have the prettiest jar and well a few more which if you come to the Festival you can see for yourself. Again it has been a fun thing to do and we are every grateful for everyone who took part. Gilly ,Adrian,Tom, Annika, Fiona and our youngest judge from New Zealand, Siobhan . Nice to get a young persons view too - not that we arent all Spring Chickens.Unfortunatey no centerians this year as George Lupton is no long with us. Siobhan, with a Dad from Holland, a grandfather from Kenya and other grandparents who have lived in the Caribbean .Her Mum and Dad sailed the world in their younger days. So although the youngest Siobhan could even be the most travelled herself and has experienced a lot of different tastes and textures in her life already. We must thank our sponsors too, who without them the Festival would not be taking place. The Feathers in Helmsley have kindly given us use of their function room for the day - we are forever grateful.To Bridge Street Framers who have been generous supporters from the start . To everyone behind the scenes who have helped and given their time. The Tweeters the Re tweeters ,the shares ,the social media buffs who have spread the word around the world.To all those who have given their time and played their part in getting it this far. We hope you will come to Helmsley next Sunday and support the Festival ,make new friends or just pop in to say hello . We have some amazing preserve makers who will be having stalls including th eoverall winners. I have it on good authority on the grapevine some boozy tasters too. The Feathers will be open for food and drink throughout the day and The Mad Hatter certainly recommends the Afternoon Tea , It is advisable to book this in advance. Or if you were thinking of stopping off for Sunday lunch before you get to Helmsley there is no better place than to go to the Star in Harome and again best to book. Our Charity is the Yorkshire Air Ambulance who will be also having a stall on the day. There is a vintage fair in the Helmsley Arts centre too, so there is plenty going on in the town and the forecast is good. The Wool Shop Trail is also taking place over the weekend and includes are the finest bunting knitters in the whole wide world ...Bentley's Castle Stores Wool shop. You must drop in to say hello to Christine and James as they have spent hours and hours knitting bunting for us. They are up Church Street opposite the Church just off the Market Square.