FLOWER GIRL SAINT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIII, Issue 9826, 20 March 1923, Page 5

FLOWER GIRL SAINT.

“FANNY” OF LUDGATE HILL

Fannie Collins, probably the most lovable flower-girl who ever set her pitch in the streets of London, is dead. Born in poverty, familiar from her* childhood with suffering, “Fannie was a radiant light in the dark places of London. She could not write. She was able to read only little. But hundreds who daily passed their hurried way up Ludgate Hill stopped to speak to her; she was the friend of all in need, of all who were unhappy. Her praise was told by the Rector of St. Clement Danes and Mrs Penmng-ton-Bickford, the friends of London s flower-sellers. “My Fannie was one of the noblest and most beautiful characters that a woman could be,” said the rector’s wife. “Her personality among, the London flower-sellers was an infiu- ; ence'that the best woman m the land might be-proud to possess. I loved her. If .anyone was sick, it was always Fannie who was found at the bedsideIf a woman was too old to chop wood or carry water upstairs, Fannie would say&*;wi|>h a* smile, Til do it, old galIf we wanted flowers for a festival * on a wedding, Fannie would always ? turn up, and, whether it was £2O. or only a few shillings, she would always make them go double. . “More than 20 years ago, m »■ little ■room, for which six men gave Is a ?• week to pay the rent, some five or six flower girls,.met. A little work, a little; singing,;’s£>* eup of tea, some happy talks—that was the beginning Fannie was one of the first of the little band. “Fannie was lonely. She often slept on stairs. But she got her home at last. How well one' remembers the teacups with their gay decoration, making up the bed, lighting the fire and the lamp and boiling the kettle, and then going for Fannie, giving her the key, and telling her to go home. ‘Her surprise was speechless, for this was a real secret. For years she lived in that attic; outside on the landing was the heavy basket, filled often with unsold flowers.” Married in St. Clement Danes Church, “Fannie” eventually adopted a little unwanted child who grew up to serve his country during the great war.