Ever fancied having a go at making Quince Jelly? Well, the Folk & Costume Museum is here to offer you the chance. The Japanese Quince plants grown in the museum courtyard are on track for producing a bumper crop of Quinces this year and so we have decided to offer them to anyone interested in using them to make their own Quince Jelly or Quince recipe of their choice.
The Quinces are progressing and should ripen by late Sept/early Oct so there's still some time to think about this. The Quinces are free to collect, but we'd like to hear how you're using the Quince and how you're getting on. Maybe take some photos too, so we can share your success story.
If interested please e-mail the museum and we will randomly select a recipient or recipients of the museum’s quinces at the end of this month.
The selection of growing Japanese Quinces at the museum is in deference to the heritage of Saumarez Park and in particular the 4th Baron (James Vincent) De Saumarez who having returned from having been British Ambassador in Japan brought a wide selection of Japanese plants back to Guernsey. Many of these plants can still be found in the park including over 30 varieties of bamboo.
Unfortunately the Japanese buildings also set up in the park have long since gone but you can still find hints of where they used to stand. Directly outside the museum entrance is a small mound which was the site of the old Japanese temple and whilst the building has gone, the steps up to the entrance and the pathway leading up to it can still be seen today. The statues that stood either side of the temple entrance can still be found in the park but they have since been moved and now stand in the Rose Garden.
Next time you are in the park why not have a good look around to see if you can see evidence of the park’s Japanese links. If the following photograph reminds you of something at the park, you're definitely not quacking up!