Mulberry founder Roger Saul, who launched the luxury fashion brand in Shepton Mallet, has revived the old British tradition of pickling green walnuts at his Somerset estate.

Sharpham Park hosted a private gathering called Pickle Me Walnuts on Wednesday, 24 June. The event was held on St John the Baptist's Day, traditionally seen as the time to pick green walnuts before their shells harden.

The day was billed as the estate's first harvest of green British organic walnuts for pickling. Guests were invited into the orchard for a hands-on harvest, with the event also raising wider questions about food provenance, British growing and whether more produce could be grown closer to home.

Saul planted 300 walnut trees at Sharpham Park in 2004. The estate now grows seven varieties and describes him as Britain's leading organic walnut grower.

The event included blessing of the trees by the Bishop of Bath and Wells. It also brought together independent British food producers, with tastings and products linked to the walnut harvest.

Saul is also due to speak at London Climate Action Week on UK food security, a subject linked to the wider message behind the walnut harvest. The Sharpham Park event followed his involvement in wider food conversations, including the FŌDA festival of food ideas in Bristol.

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