Jam first? Wear a badge with pride!

CREAM TEA CONUNDRUM PUT TO THE TEST

- By WILLIAM TELFORD

HERE in the South West there is one topic that never fails to get a debate going: jam or cream first on a scone?

Now Plymouth businessman Walter Smith has set himself on a task to find out. The owner of the Love Army HQ stall in Plymouth Market is selling badges proclaiming “jam first” and “cream first”.

It's widely known that in Cornwall, the ideal cream tea has a scone which is plastered in jam first, with the cream on top. In Devon, cream is on the bottom with the jam above.

Walter designed the badges and had them specially made. He got the idea from his native Manchester where he has seen pin badges specifically designed for the city. Each metal and enamel badge cost £5 and they are on sale now and will be until the summer. Walter said that whichever badge sells the most will give an idea of what people prefer - and so the best way to serve a scone.