The Horticultural Society was founded in 1938 by a group of gardening enthusiasts from the village. The Committee comprised a President, a Treasurer, a Secretary and twelve committee members, and they affiliated to the Society to the RHS. They recruited a membership who each paid a small subscription towards the running costs of the Society and Show.

In the early days there was an annual May Fair on the Green with swing boats, roundabouts, coconut shy, shooting gallery and side shows, and the children would take a day off school to dance round the maypole. The Summer Show, as we now know it, was revived after the war in 1947 and the date changed from May to July. However, we still celebrate May Day on the first weekend of May each year when local children dance around the maypole and the Horticultural Society organise a bring-and-buy plant sale on the Green. The Summer Show has continued to grow with the marquee events expanding from a 'flower' show to include other horticultural classes such as fruit and vegetables, home and handicraft. There are also classes for children of all ages to enter. For many years the Horticultural Society organised the entire Show. However, after many years, the Village Association took over responsibility for organising the events on the Green, allowing the Society to concentrate on the marquee.

Today the Fete Committee and the Horticultural Society work together to organise the annual Village Show. Any income raised is shared between the Hort Soc and the Wood Street Village Association. This income allows both committees to fund all village expenses throughout the year and to organise a few social events.

The Horticultural Society has recently re-introduced subsidised outings by coach to country houses and gardens and continues to organise a very enjoyable and popular Christmas social evening for members where the Committee and volunteers cook a two-course meal with coffee in St Albans Hall.

Please do get in touch if you would like to join the Horticultural Society. New members are always welcome.