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I've been given some seeds (corms in fact) - and am told that it is saffron. Well, it could be. 
I'm prepared to give it a go - does anyone know the best way to grow it?  In a pot or in the ground? 

I've read the other thread on here and it says it likes hot, dry summers (no problem there!).

Does anyone here have any experience of growing saffron?

However I do know that if it isn't real saffron, it could be poisonous - so will not be trying it out until I'm certain it is the real mccoy (need to check again with my source!)

Why not?  But don't expect a cupboard full of usable stamens!

http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/560/

If it comes up Crocus-like, it is doubtful that a few threads of a non-Saffron Crocus would poison you!!

Saffron is the stamen and anthers of a Crocus, Crocus sativus. If yours flower in September/October then it could well be. Mind you need an awful lot of crocus to get enough saffron to use.

i've not heard of growing proper saffron, tho we must have done it with saffron Walden place names and such

sure it's not Meadow Saffron - Colchicum autumnale? This is very poisonous in all parts

here's saffron http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saffron
here's meadow saffron http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumn_crocus

It's still commonly grown in Cornwall.

But a poisonous variety? OK, I retract my suggestion!

But one will have to wait & see what they grow as?

Need a lot? That was my caveat.

of course - Cornish Saffron Cakes! delicious

I grow Saffron, never really had any trouble with  it (and I remember posting on the previous thread about it  ::) )

Farmers grew it in fields in this area (near Saffron Walden) for centuries; it only stopped being a viable crop because picking the stamens is labour intensive and even by the early nineteenth century it was cheaper to import from Turkey than to try and find a workforce for one week a year in Essex.

There is a woman near Wrexham, whose name I will remember soon who operates a saffron farm, the only one in the UK.

I have it in pots, but only because there isn't much to see for much of the year and it's easy to lose where the corms are under weeds or grass until the leaves appear in autumn.

It is a sterile cultivar - propagated only by division of corms, there are no seeds.  Although you only get a fraction of a gram's worth from a plant, it is such a strong colour/flavour that you only need part of a strand for most recipes. Figs & Saffron in September is probably my favourite meal from the garden  :D

As previous posters have said, check it's true saffron and not some other variety of autumn flowering crocus

Sounds interesting, never thought of growing saffron but might have a go.
Ceratonia, just had to google that lady in Wrexham you mentioned, it looks like:
Caroline Ridden, Caerestyn Farm, Rhyddyn Hill, Caergwrle, Wrexham LL12 9EF