Damson growing in the Lyth Valley
Damsons in the Lyth Valley are Westmorland damsons which are said to be the best type of damson for taste.
Westmorland damsons were usualy smaller than other types. It is asumed that the Romans brought damsons to Britan as you tend to find lots of damson trees around roman forts! In 1938 about 250 tons of damsons from the Lyth Valley were sold!
 The blossom comes out in April and there is a special day where lots of people visit it. This is Damson Saturday. Later in the year there is Damson Sunday when cartloads of damsons are sold in shops and by the roadside. | Damsons were turned into jam by being sent off to Lancashire jam factories. Since 1938 the damson growing has reduced because the war caused a shortage of sugar and men to make the jam. I wonder why they didn't get it going again afterwards Heres a 4000 year old man that had damson stones in a bag strapped to his waist. where do you think he was uncovered? Answer in january!  |
