Welcome to the Saffron Walden
Horticultural Society Web Site
Letter from the Chairman - Doreen Townley
Welcome to our Spring Newsletter - sadly the daffodils are now over, but Spring flowers are taking their place. Our small lawn, at the bottom of the garden is trying to prove it’s a wild flower meadow covered with violets, daisies, forget-me-nots etc. We have many flowers and vegetables seeds thriving in the greenhouse. Broad beans are in flower we are eating rhubarb and spinach.
Hopefully, with the lifting of some regulations we are going to be able to have an “Open Garden” on Saturday 3rd July 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm for members, friends and neighbours. There will be no tea or coffee, but there will be wine boxes and cold drinks on a ‘help yourself’ table. Social distancing will be in order, but it will be lovely to see any of you who feel you can come to 49 Ashdon Road, Saffron Walden CB10 2AQ.
There will be no shows this year but we are hoping that 2022 will be a new start for most activities and we should be planting with this in mind.
Enjoy your garden with best wishes from Doreen.
OBITUARY
Sadly we have to let you know that Margaret Rowell died on Sunday
18th April. She will be remembers for her flower arranging and
cooking in our shows and her unfailing support and good humour.
Our thoughts are with John and her family at this sad time.
A Brief History of the Saffron Walden Horticultural Society
Established 1819
The above Society was originally established for the encouragement
of Horticulture, Botany and Agriculture.
The President was the Right Honourable Lord Braybrooke and it is
recorded that 2 very prominent citizens of Saffron Walden William
Chater (1802 – 85) and Francis Gibson were both committee members when
it was formed in 1819.
The Saffron Walden Horticultural Society held its summer fete
intermittently in Bridge End Gardens during the 19th Century. In 1883
the Summer Exhibition was held in the Ornamental Grounds, Bridge End,
by kind permission of Lewis Fry, Esq, M.P. and included the mounted
band of the Royal Artillery by permission of the Assistant Adjutant
General. These exhibitions developed into large annual shows and were
held at Audley End Park. Extra trains were laid on from Colchester and
Cambridge to cope with the influx of visitors for these important
events.
However by 1901 the Society had hit financial difficulties with a loss
of patronage and falling membership, it was decided to disband.
It was eventually revived in 1922 under the leadership of the Town
Mayor, David Mill and in the inter war years, smaller shows were held
in conjunction with other organisations, such as the Horse Society.
Very few shows were organised during the Second World War and by 1951
support for the Society had again diminished, so the decision was
taken to disband the Society for a second time. A completely
fortuitous revival occurred in 1977, when George Scrivener organised a
Rose Show as part of the Jubilee celebrations, which later evolved
into the Saffron Walden Rose Society and ultimately the Saffron Walden
Horticultural Society was reborn.
Ever since the Society has gone from strength to strength and is now
established boasting a substantial membership and a busy programme of
events with which to celebrate their Bicentenary.
Data Protection Policy
The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) came in to force on 25 May 2018. Under the new regulations, the society needs to advise members how we use the personal data that they provide as part of membership applications. You can read our full policy by clicking this link.
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