A CLUB for gardening enthusiasts in West Devon, that has been running for almost two centuries, has 'regrettably' been closed by organisers.

A decision was reached recently by the committee and members of the Tavistock and District Gardening Club to fold the club due to rising costs, dwindling membership and a lack of committee members.

The history of the club can be traced back 172 years. Records show that for just over 150 years, the club held an annual flower show in the town's pannier market. The show took place over two days and included a large number of flower, vegetable, jam and bakery exhibits entered by people from Tavistock and the surrounding area.

Alistair McConnon from the club, said: 'The show was popular with gardeners and visitors far and wide. Cups and rose bowls, donated by members and in memory of loved ones, were awarded as prizes.

'Rising costs and the reduced availability of the pannier market resulted in the closure of the annual show several years ago. With no annual show, the membership gradually declined and, unfortunately, never recovered.

'Several of the recent members, some going back 20 to 30 years and more, have fond and interesting memories of the annual flower show.

'Indeed the stories and memories that these recent ex members have forms part of the social history of not just the T and D Gardening Club but also a small part of Tavistock.'

Over the years the club has seen a plethora of enthusiastic and interesting speakers whose topics have included gardens, history of gardens, wildlife photography, photographs of Dartmoor and its wildlife, life and propagation of plants, life of a mayor, RHS education programme, history of the strawberry farm at Lifton, plants for the garden and many more.

The group also enjoyed a number of visits to gardens and garden centres.

Mr McConnon added: 'A warm thank you to all the people who were members of Tavistock and District Gardening Club, especially to those who served on the committee over the years and put in many hours of hard work and effort for the enjoyment of all.

'The monies left over at the winding up of the club were used in accordance with the club's constitution.

'The remaining members were treated to a thank you lunch and the remainder was equally donated to the Gardener's Fund, St Luke's Hospice and Devon Air Ambulance.'