NEWS5 October 2005 – The dawning of a rosy future
The first phase of the new Royal National Rose Society Gardens at Chiswell Green, St. Albans, has recently opened. The Gardens will eventually become the leading `growing' rose garden in this country attracting many rose devotees from around the world. Covering 5 hectares and designed by leading Garden Designer and Architect Michael Balston, with Tony Lord VMH overseeing the planting schemes. The new Gardens will include all types of roses, old and new and will show how roses combine together with other plants to make up the Gardens' tapestry. Over 3000 cultivars will be incorporated amongst associated plantings with the view of extending interest in the Gardens over a longer period.
THE SOCIETY
After a few difficult years, Ann and her fellow Trustees are determined that the Royal National Rose Society will take its place once again, as the leading Rose Society of the world and start to prosper during the period of her two years in office..
Already well known internationally, Ann Bird is a housewife and mother, as well as being a part time secretary to a Medical Consultant. Ann lives in Market Harborough where she takes pride in her own garden, naturally full of roses. She will be well supported by the Deputy President of the Society, Rodney Petty and a newly elected Board. Ann is a founder member of the Historic Roses Group and was Chairman of it for three years, now Vice Chairman. She is also a member of the committee of the World Federation of Rose Societies, is part of the International circuit of Trial Judges and holder of the Royal National Rose Society’s Silver Medal. Ann says, "I have been overwhelmed by messages of encouragement. It is my dearest wish that during my term of office the Society can take its place as a respected body in the horticultural world. My aim is to meet as many members as possible. In metaphorical terms, the Royal National Rose Society is rising again ‘like a phoenix from the ashes’ and the ‘New dawn’ has already begun’.
OTHER NEW BEGINNINGS……
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2005 saw the return of the ‘Rose Annual’. The last edition came out in 1984 and was replaced by the present quarterly magazine `The Rose'. Members will now receive the usual copies of this magazine three times per year plus a very readable and attractive ‘Rose Annual’. This book will feature around 200 pages with articles from many rose experts and will be full colour throughout. The Board and members were very pleased to see it return. A limited number will be available for purchase by non-members.
The Society already has a large and valuable collection of books. This is now being up-dated and re-catalogued. A time consuming project, of considerable importance as a facility for the membership and education.
In the course of the next few years it is expected that Butterfly World, to whom the Society sold half its site, will build a Biodome for Butterflies as an added attraction to the area. The Royal National Rose Society looks forward to forming a good relationship with Butterfly World, with many advantages to both organisations. It is hoped that the new development will be open by 2010 More details will be announced as they become available. For rose related items please contact the President, Ann Bird on
BUTTERFLY WORLD LIBRARY REVAMP RETURN OF THE ROSE ANNUAL
THE PRESIDENT
NEW ROYAL NATIONAL ROSE SOCIETY GARDENS
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