The Melanie Bruce Rose Order

After twenty-seven years of service to Springfield as teacher and principal, Mrs Bruce, our Headmistress, is retiring at the end of this year. We have chosen a unique gift for her, one in which every family, friend and past pupil of Springfield can share. This is her gift, with love from all of us:

A new rose has been cultivated by Ludwig Roses and named after Mrs Bruce. Attached is a picture of the rose; it is a fragrant hybrid tea rose in a delicate pale peach colour, which will, from now on, forever be known by the name Melanie Bruce. Cultivation has begun, and the rose bushes will be ready by the end of November. All the latest Ludwig catalogues will include the rose called Melanie Bruce; our parents, friends and past pupils will be given the opportunity to order these rose bushes; we will be planting a number of them in the Springfield garden – in a place chosen by Mrs Bruce, which will be specially blessed at the end of the year after the roses have been planted; and as part of our final Carol Service, she will be given her own rose to plant in her garden.

At a staff luncheon on St Dominic’s Day, Mrs Bruce was given a framed picture of the rose, together with a certificate on which the following is written:

This hybrid tea rose, with its delicate pastel hues,
is dedicated to Melanie Bruce
in celebration of her wise and inspired leadership
and of the legacy she leaves behind at Springfield.
In great honour of her,
this rose shall forthwith be known as MELANIE BRUCE.