A group that’s helped food and plant growers in the region has closed its doors after nearly 70 years.
The South Holland Growers Club was formed in 1955 to enable professional growers and farmers to keep informed of the latest research and developments in the area.
It held talks during the winter and organised visits to various nurseries during the summer.
But dwindling membership, particularly since talks were discontinued following the COVID-19 lockdowns, now means the group has decided to come to an end.
“The club has been serving the local commercial horticultural community for the last 69 years,” said chairman Mark Rowland. “It was the place to go to find out the latest information on anything from the latest government regulations, talks by specialist growers and advisors and the chance to catch up on all the latest happenings in the area.
“Growing can be a very isolated job and the meetings provided a much-needed respite from the daily chores.
“The pandemic brought to a head the problems the club was suffering with the younger generation getting more of their information online, especially as they became more specialised and an ageing core membership. Speakers that would be relative to the membership were becoming harder to find.
“The club continued with a few visits and social events but the decision was finally taken to wind up completely.”
The money it had left over has been donated to local charities.
They include:
* Holbeach & East Elloe Hospital Trust which says it will use the donation to purchase bed linen, curtains and a TV unit.
* Johnson Community Hospital for new furniture for the Tulip Suite.
* Moulton Windmill where the last meeting was held and where solar panels are being planned for the tea room roof.
* Perennial, a retired gardeners’ charity – to help provide mental health access to a 24/7 clinician.
* L’Arche, Manchester – a disabled children’s charity supported by the late Richard Thompson, a former president of the club. They will use the money for developing a garden on a housing complex.
Mr Goodman said: “Many thanks to the members and committee members who have given their time to keep the club going for the past 69 years.”
