Fordham was well known for nurserymen and horticulturists.

Charles Townsend opened his nursery business on Market Street in the late 19th Century.

He also created an arboretum of native and non native trees and shrubs that was unique in this part of the world.

Situated behind his house, ‘Shrublands’, ‘Townsend’s Wood’ included over 120 different species including Wellingtonia Blue Atlas Cedar, Colorado Spruce, Japanese Cherry and various Maples.

The wood was initially a private collection but was eventually opened to the public under the guidance of the Woodland Trust, who still manage the wood today.

The nursery received the ‘By Royal Appointment’ Award from King Edward 7th and Queen Alexandra early in the Kings reign.

The nursery continued operating until the 1970’s. But Charles Townsend sadly died in 1892, aged just 42. Scotsdales now run a similar business on the site.

In the late 19th Century, two other Fordham horticulturalists earned recognition, but in very different ways.

Arthur ‘John’ Golding developed and propagated the Scabious Caucasica flower and received The Royal Horticultural Society’s Gold Medal for his expertise.

A rich blue colour, the flower remains the largest of the garden variety and was named ‘Goldingensis’ after the man himself.

The ‘Fordham Flower’ is featured on the badge of Fordham Football, Cricket and Bowls Club’s.

John Boyden also had interests in Horticulture but he is better known for inventing a mechanism to improve the efficiency of the bicycle chain.

He opened a shop in New Path and made bicycles to order, including ‘Penny Farthings’.

He was also a landowner and installed greenhouses behind his shop.

It would appear he ran both business interests with equal skill and devotion.

John’s son (Jim Boyden) opened a garage in New Path in 1947 but continued the family tradition of growing produce and flowers on land near his home.

A major industry in Fordham from the 1930’s through to the 1970’s was flower growing.

The boxed flowers were transported to Covent Garden in London, Birmingham and Manchester each day.

British Road Services, who were based in the village, collected between 12,000 and 26,000 boxes per week during May and June. On one occasion in 1953, it rose to 37,000.

Alan Bloom, of Bressingham Garden’s fame lived in Fordham, where he grew Millett. But obviously, he had higher aspirations.