It was on the 31st October, 1911 that a “Meeting of Growers and Nurserymen of the Lea Valley” was held in the Imperial Club, Waltham Cross.

Mr J Cull, J.P., was elected to preside, and stated that the meeting had been called to consider the desirability of forming an Association to promote and protect the interests of the nursery industry in the Lea Valley District.

Among the matters which needed a combined effort, instead of the former individual and unorganised attempts, were such as:-

• The study of various insect and fungoid pests and diseases which were yearly increasing.
• The question of rates which had just been discussed with Cheshunt District council.
• Lectures & Difficulties with the Railway companies, Market Salesman etc.

Mr Dyke referred to the case of a grower in the district who had sustained a heavy loss owing to the contraction of an unknown disease in his Cucumber house.

Others present having spoken, The Chairman moved “That an Association be formed which shall be called “The Lea Valley & District Nurserymen’s Growers Association”. This was seconded by Mr Honnor and carried unanimously.

The annual subscription was to be based upon the rateable value of each member’s holding, e.g,
those who were assessed at £100 or over should pay an annual subscription of one Guinea, while those who were under should pay 10 Shillings and 6 pence.

During the first year lectures were given upon such subjects as sterilization, manuring of soils, insects and pests, Grading and packing.

In 1926 (The year of the general strike) there was the first talk of the Association uniting with the National Farmers Union.

At the AGM in October 1926 it was agreed that the Association would become a branch of the National Farmers Union and in January 1927, it was agreed that the Lea Valley and District Nurserymans and Growers Association should be changed to “Lea Valley Growers Association.