Bishop's Stortford and District Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society donates to Essex and Herts Air Ambulance

Decades of horticultural history in Bishop's Stortford have ended - with a blooming marvellous £1,345 donation to the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance.

The Bishop’s Stortford and District Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society has wound up and remaining members decided to give the group’s funds to the chopper charity.

Chairman David Bayford believed the organisation was founded after the Second World War and in its heyday had more than 50 exhibitors at not one but two annual shows.

However, as the number of participating growers dwindled to around 10, the decision was taken to close.

Its main exhibition of green-fingered prowess was traditionally held in the third week of September and latterly at Little Hallingbury Hall.

Mr Bayford said that chrysanthemums and dahlias were tricky to grow to show standard. He and fellow fans remain allotment holders in the town and he said the air ambulance was chosen because as gardeners, they may need its services.