Place the chicken and the giblets in a saucepan. Add enough cold water just to cover the bird and bring slowly to the boil.
Remove the scum. Add the vegetables, salt and pepper, cover and simmer very gently until the chicken is tender, from 2-3 hours.
Remove the chicken (this is usually served for the main course) and strain and season the broth. If necessary, the broth can be ‘strengthened’ with a chicken stock cube.