OPENING CEREMONY

The formal opening is an affair of moments, the Duke of Portland’s speech being brief. “I think it a great honour (he said) to have been invited to open this Flower Fair on its first day. It is being held, as I think you must all be aware, to raise funds for the British Ambulance Committee, which has for its object the provision of motor ambulances for the wounded soldiers of the Army of our French Allies. We who have been connected with the committee ever since the beginning of the war are extremely proud, and I believe rightly proud, of the very efficient service which is carried out by our skilful commandants and their capable staffs, and it gratifies us to know that they have rendered really practical help to our splendid Allies. That help they have rendered under difficult, and often dangerous, conditions, and we are extremely grateful to them for the part they have played. We are most keenly desirous of continuing our work until we and our Allies have achieved victory. For that reason we have organised this flower fête, and we hope that it will give a practical stamp to the sympathy which we feel with our Allies and to the honour in which we hold them. Words fail me to express the admiration which we feel for the magnificent way in which they have fought all through the war, and especially during the recent critical battles. I feel convinced they will continue to do so until victory crowns their efforts. Before I conclude I desire to thank most cordially and most warmly all those – and there are very many – who have contributed so generously to our Fair. I will not mention any names of individuals, as when there are so many kind friends it would be invidious to mention a few, but the committee desires specially warmly to thank the American Red Cross Society for their magnificent gift of £2,500 to their stall.”