Eton Mess  -  When the annual prize-giving is held at Eton College, one of Britain's most famous public schools, parents and pupils have a picnic on the play ing fields. Among the dishes then served is this marvellously boozy mixture of strawberries, cream and crushed meringues, to which the school has lent its name.

Plum Butter -  It takes a lot of fruit to make a small amount of butter, so save this recipe for the end of the season, when there is a glut. Fruit butter does not keep very well,, so eat it up fairly quickly. It is soft, and can be spread easily.

Spiced Crab-Apples  -  Spices, sugar and red wine vinegar are used to infuse the apples with flavour.

Strawberry Conserve  -  Conserves are made from whole fruits, suspended in a thick, sweet syrup, and they do not set firmly. Use them as fillings for summer tarts, spread them on scones with cream or serve with custard or milk puddings as a quick dessert. Raspberries and loganberries can be conserved in the same way.