St John shares fruits of Julia's labour

Masonic Village resident Julia Clarke has produced 420 jars of jams and chutneys to help raise funds for St John Cadets at this weekend's Martinborough Fair. PHOTO/CHERIE TAYLOR

Julia Clarke "makes jam because she can".

The Masonic Village resident has made 420 jars of jam and chutney being sold at the Martinborough Fair this weekend as a fundraising venture for St John Cadets - something she has been doing for years.

Mrs Clarke (formerly Ball) said it all began about eight years ago when she and husband John moved from Rotorua to the region to reconnect with family and they noticed a lot of windfall fruit left rotting on the ground.

"I was shocked at the fruit laying on the ground going to waste. It's so wasteful."

Making jars of jams from donations of fruit, her adult daughter Sarah, who was once a St John Cadet suggested she sell the produce in aid of the youth training service, she said.

They couple would trudge along to markets and fairs for a few years raising money until ill health took its toll a few years ago and making preserves for fundraising was put on hold.

But when Mr Clarke died last year Mrs Clarke began making preserves again and this week Katherine Trass from St John Cadets picked up 420 jars of produce to be sold at the fair.

Not bad considering the former teacher had to put an advertisement in the newspaper calling out for windfall plums after someone helped themselves to the fruit under her brother's tree, which she normally used.

"I forgot this is Masterton and people can be so generous. I've had plums coming out my ears since," she said.

Sadly, though Mrs Clarke isn't able to keep making the preserves because of her health, so will start supporting children by knitting dolls to go under the community Christmas tree for those who otherwise wouldn't get a gift from Santa.

"It's for the kids," she said.