Newspaper clipping taken from page 3 of Cardiff Times titled 'Rose Day at Cardiff', reporting on fundraising for Cardiff Royal Infirmary, Cardiff, Saturday 4 July 1925

Description

An article on page three of Cardiff Times, 4 July 1925, reporting on Alexandra Rose Day in Cardiff, which raised funds for Cardiff Royal Infirmary.

Queen Alexandra was the Danish wife of Edward VII. “Established in 1912, Alexandra Rose Charities has existed as a fundraising organisation in one guise or another for over a century. Alexandra Rose Charities establishment is the product of a chance encounter between Queen Alexandra, our Charity’s founder, and a Danish priest. Herself a Danish national, and a steadfast supporter of charity, Queen Alexandra was searching for a means to mark her 50th year in the UK when she came across a priest who raised money for the needy by selling roses grown in his parish garden. Inspired by his actions, she returned to London with the idea to launch her own ‘rose day’, substituting real flowers for artificial silk roses.

Ten thousand roses were produced in total and on the 26th of June 1912 the streets of London were flooded with female flower sellers. The event raised more than £30,000 for charity, a phenomenal sum, when you consider that by today’s standards this would amount to the equivalent of several million pounds. In the 100 years since, Alexandra Rose Charities has continued to support a number of charitable causes by holding a dedicated fundraising rose day each year in June.”

Source: www.alexandrarose.org.uk/ourhistory.html, accessed 11/4/17

"The Cardiff Times was a weekly English language liberal newspaper established in 1857, and circulated throughout Glamorganshire, Monmouthshire, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Cardiganshire, Breconshire, Radnorshire, Montgomeryshire and the adjoining English counties. For the first forty years the newspaper's main content was Welsh Liberalism, but in 1886 its contents was completely re-modelled to include other features such as contributions by Welsh writers and eminent Welsh bards, serial stories and descriptions of Welsh social life. One of its contributors was William Abraham (Mabon, 1842-1922). From 1857 to 1928 it was owned by D. Duncan & Sons, and from 1930 onwards by the Western Mail. The newspaper was published between 1857-1928 and 1930-1955."

Source: newspapers.library.wales/browse/3380665, accessed 10/4/17.

Transcription:

Rose Day at Cardiff.
BIG EFFORT FOR ROYAL INFIRMARY

It was Alexandra Rose Day in Cardiff on Saturday, and the little pink emblem with its twofold significance-honour for our beloved Queen Mother and admiration for the work of the Cardiff Royal infirmary-was everywhere.

People passing along the streets were waylaid by charmingly attired young ladies who held them to ransom-and the ransomed ones paid up smilingly. Giant roses decked every passing motor-car, from the lordly limousine to the humble baker's van.

Considerably over a thousand sellers were on the streets, and there were about 50 depots in various parts of the city and suburbs.

The Lady Mayoress, who had been indefatigable in her efforts for the Day, making constant appeals and broadcasting messages, toured the various depots, accompanied by Sir William H. Diamond, K.B.E., the chairman of the Infirmary, and Mr Leonard D. Rea, the secretary of the Infirmary, who had also organised Saturday's collection.

The Lady Mayoress is presenting three autographed portraits of Queen Alexandra in her coronation robes, which she has received from the Queen Mother, to the ladies who made the largest individual collection. A special prize is also being given by the Cardiff Licensed Victuallers and Beerhouse Keepers’ Association to the largest collection made by any person connected with the licensed trade.

The Lady Mayoress received valuable help from organised bodies such as the Rotary Club, the Catholic Women's League, and the Salvation Army, and the ladies of the “Cheerio” Review Company, at the Cardiff Empire last week, were also among the sellers.

Miss A. A. White, R.R.C, was in charge of the depot at the Infirmary, which was "manned" by Red Cross members.

On behalf of the Council and Board of Management of the Infirmary, the Chairman of the institution (Sir William Diamond, K.B.E.) and officials desire through the South Wales Weekly News to tender thanks to the Lady Mayoress, her committee, and all who took part in organising and carrying out the great amount of work entailed.

From Microform, Local Studies, Cardiff Library.
Image created by The British Library Board.
Copyright: Media Wales.