The British plum season starts in late July with the Opal ... British plums develop an intense flavour when cooked. They make excellent jam, jelly and fruit cheese, but can also be bottled.

1 Soak the gelatine leaves in 3 tbs of cranberry juice ... Never let the liquid boil as this can stop the jelly setting. As a rule, 4 leaves of gelatine set 1 pint of liquid.