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
Olive Cook In 1954, Cook married the photographer Edwin Smith. In 1962, they moved to Saffron Walden, firstly to a tall house on the corner of Audley Road and East Street, and later into the Coach House at the Vineyards on Windmill Hill. Cook died from cancer on 2 May 2002 at Saffron Walden Community Hospital, Saffron Walden. Collected information about Olive Cook on The Golden Fleece website. Olive Cook Olive Muriel Cook (20 February 1912 – 2 May 2002), was a British writer and artist, who published county guides, as well as writing various books accompanied by the work of her