History of saffron Gâtinais, Normandy, Périgord, Poitou, Provence, and Quercy. Its mysterious decline started during the 18th century, possibly due to pandemic fungal diseases destroying bulbs and crops, to particularly cold winters, and to competing market from the Mediterranean countries. In England, cultivation "persisted" only in the light, well-drained, and chalk-based soils of the north Essex countryside. The Essex town of Saffron Walden got its name as a saffron growing and trading centre; its name was originally Cheppinge Walden, and the culinary name change was effected to punctuate the importance of the crop to the townsfolk; the town's arms still feature blooms from
Richard Walden Richard Walden Richard Walden (4 May 1948 – 19 November 2009) was an English professional footballer. A fullback, Walden played for Aldershot and Sheffield Wednesday before joining Newport County in 1978. Walden played over 400 league games for Aldershot. He scored the opening goal for Aldershot in the 1970-71 Football League Cup against Manchester United, though Aldershot went on to lose 3-1. Walden joined Newport County in 1978 and in doing so became the first player in British football to have the fee of £3,500 set by the transfer tribunal process. Walden made 193 appearances for Newport scoring 3 goals