When I got the commission to write ‘Great British Sweets (and how to make them at home)’, I decided that I wanted to meet the makers, see the sweets (er, and sample them) and hear the stories first-hand. So me and my friend Lisa took a series of roadtrips around Britain in Lisa’a lovely little car, Lui. I was seeking small, family-run businesses whose sweeties had withstood the test of time, companies that had managed to remain independent despite the multinational encroachments imposed upon some of our fine confectioners (you know the ones – Cadburys are a good example, bless ’em).

What follows here is a series of reports back from all over the UK, posted as installments. Enjoy!