For nearly one hundred years Romsey
was known around the world for its wonderful Jams. In a
Tudor style building in the Hundred was the jam factory
and at the time it was one of Romsey's biggest employers.
The smell of warm strawberries gave the town a pleasant
aroma while its children killed Queen wasps for sixpence
reward. Kids used to go picking blackberries (me also) and
take them to the jam factory and get a few bob for them.
The Old Jam Factory, was a warren of wooden buildings behind
an historical High-street building (now Aldi supermarket).
It was run by Richard Hattatt who's brother David
run a grocers shop in the Hundred. The factory closed in
1960. It was then used as storage for classic cars by the
Jack O'Lantern garage until it was destroyed by fire in
July 1964. But the Romsey Fire Station was only just
around the corner and was serviced by a fire crew with great
efficiency. The listed building was seriously damaged and
had to be demolished, but the wooden sheds and dozens of
Rolls-Royce cars were saved. Read more
HERE on Lance Hattatt's Blog
Photos below include
a few labels from their many products


Names in above photo (for
search engines)
Vi Chapman, Rene Smith, Gert
Noyce, Fred Johnson, Alf Philpott, Gert Taylor
Hilda Green, Elsie Pointer,
Rene Roberts, George Hattatt, David Hattatt, Arthur
Edwards
Jimmy Hallum, Flo Hann,
Dorothy Grayer, ? Wyatt, ? Noyce, Richard (Dickie)
Hattatt
Fred Philpott, Elsie Gritt,
Kath Elcock, Ester Noyce, Marje Foot, ? Thomas, Ethel
Rickman and Ethel Vander

Aerial view c1940's

Jam Factory chimney seen from Crosfield
swimming pool
late 1940's
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Taken in 1928 in the Romsey Jam factory yard where the
Aldi supermarket now stands

Romsey Jam factory yard where the Aldi supermarket now
stands

Many vehicles in the Romsey Jam factory yard where the
Aldi supermarket now stands

The Hundred Romsey, facing
towards the Sceptre. Jam Factory is Tudor building on the right

Jam Factory Tudor style building after fire damage in
the Hundred Romsey

The famous Romsey Jam Factory chimney being demolished by Tom
Edwards

After demolition. In the background is the Red Lion pub
with the
Lollipop Shop just visible on the left which were
both in the Hundred

One of many Romsey Jam's many adverts

Interesting mail (thanks to Lance Hattatt)

more interesting 1940 mail (thanks to Lance Hattatt

More mail from 1940 (many thanks to Lance Hattatt)

Classic vehicles in the ex Jam Factory grounds
early 1960's








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