New rose society rises

Rose enthusiasts have launched a new society to support continued interest in the nation’s favourite flower. The move comes following the collapse of the Royal National Rose Society (RNRS) earlier this year.

Launched in May, The Rose Society UK (TRSU) has been making significant progress to establish itself. The new venture is completely independent of the now defunct RNRS and isn’t running any aspect of its gardens or trials. Initial focus for organisers was maintaining the existing programme of rose shows in Shepperton, Chorley and Harrogate, judged to be the most successful in many years. Public reaction to the launch has also been positive, with many show visitors pleased to see a new focus group supporting and promoting rose growing.

Under new President Colin Squire, founder of Squire’s Garden Centres and a lifetime rose enthusiast, TRSU staged its inaugural annual general meeting in the West Midlands, with more than 100 people attending. Future plans for 2018 include further representation at all the UK’s major flower shows, plus four amateur rose shows and other events over the year.

As part of a programme of new initiatives, the Society is now inviting local horticultural and gardening societies to join them as affiliate members. A new bronze medal has been commissioned, featuring TRSU’s Tudor rose motif (above), which will be offered to all affiliated societies to award for excellence in rose cultivation at their respective shows. “We want to continue supporting rose growing and showing in this country, in the spirit of the great Victorian rosarian Dean Hole,” said TRSU secretary Ray Martin. “We’d also love to help find a way to support and start staging rose trials again in the future.” l Membership of The Rose Society UK is £10 per year. For information visit www. therosesociety.org.uk or email info@therosesociety.org.uk.