SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHDAY

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18076, 21 July 1930, Page 3

SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHDAY

AT STRATFORD-ON-AVON. A DAMP, DELIGHTFUL DAY. Alan Parsons writes in the London Daily Mail— There is one tradition to which our ■ variable climate is always faithful—that it should rain for the ceremon,, of unfurling the flags of the Nations on Shakespeare’s birthday at -'Strat-ford-on-Avon. And rain it did again yesterday, in a pitiless showier on the sleek tophats of the assembled diplomats. I had made up my mind to apply for the flag of Cuba, in memory of happy days in Havana, but I found that Peru was my lot. As I took my stand by my flagstaff I tried to remember all I knew about Peru —capital Lima, the land of the llama, and hazy recollections of the Incas and Pizarro. A Brave Flag. But my flag, a nice red and white affair, bearing a picture of , a llama, made a brave show on unfurling—-

unlike India’s flag, in the hands of Mr St. John Ervine, who had ' > ask two Indian gentlemen for assistance, or Canada’s, which Miss Violet Vanbrugh also found recalcitrant. We then proceeded to the Birthplace, and from there to the Poet's Tomb, where many flowers were laid, including a gorgeous wreath of irises from Prince Varnaidya of Siam. Our marching may not have been of the best parade-ground order, but we trudged along cheerfully enough in the rain behind the town band. At 1.15 we settled down to the business of an excellent luncheon, ac-. companied by admirable speeches. The Bishop of Coventry, the Mayor of Stratford (Cr. Nancye Justins), and the Brazilian Ambassador all paid glowing tributes to the bard’s immortal memory, and a special word of thanks was accorded to Sir Archibald Flower for his great work in rescuing Stratford from “the horror of the modern bungalow,” as the bishop expressed it. Mr St. John Ervine wittily toasted the Drama, and Miss Violet Vanbrugh made a charming response. A damp, but delightful day.