Our trader this week is a business which has been going from strength to strength with each market and fete they attend.

Christine's Kitchen curates well-loved homemade jams, chutneys and homebaking from their own family cottage in Wardhall. 

Husband and wife, Christine and Chris Thorpe, traverse throughout Cumbria, and even in Scotland, giving a taste to the nation of their bespoke products. 

"When I was growing up we had lots of blackberries and apple trees in the garden and my mum used to make jams," Christine said. 

Christine was reminded of her childhood when moving to a house with blackberries and apple trees within the garden, spurring on her initiative to start making jams for friends and family, just like her mum. 

"It started off as a hobby and it's went from that really, I never intended it for a business but more just to keep me occupied, it's crazy really," she said. 

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Christine's husband Chris got involved in the process after falling ill at work during lockdown. 

"He stood stirring all three jam jars for months and it helped him, it became his sort of therapy," she said. 

What sets Christine's business apart is the fact that each product the duo produces comes freshly-picked from their garden or has been donated - of which Christine is currently growing blackcurrants, redcurrants, tomatoes and onions within her own allotment. 

"We've got an outhouse at the side of the house, which I've got my eye to turning it into kitchen, it's just the case of saving up the money to do it. 

"It's getting a lot busier now but owning your own business means you're always on the go, you've got no-one else to answer to and it makes you more aware if something goes wrong it's your fault. 

"We are proud of what we do and make, it's really good to see your product on someone else shelves, and you take a moment to say we did that," she said. 

You catch Christine's products as they make regular appearances at markets and fetes throughout Cumbria, with regular stalls at the Cockermouth Country Market once a month, Brampton Farmers Market and will also be full-spirited attendance at the Dacre Hall’s Spring Craft Fair at Lanercost in April - with a mailing order also available for the well-loved spreads.