• Home
• About Us
  • History & Objectives
  • Officers
  • President's Message
• 40 National Rose Societies
  • 40 National Rose Societies
  • Associate Members
• Breeders' Club
• Prize Winners
  • Rose Hall of Fame
  • Old Rose Hall of Fame
  • Gardens of Excellence
  • Literary Awards
• Events
  • 2011 Heritage Rose Conference - Japan
  • 16th WFRS Convention - South Africa
  • Regional WFRS Convention - New Zealand
  • 17th WFRS Convention - France
  • Rose Events in our 40 member Countries
• Rose Trials
  • Dates & Contacts
  • 2010 Winners
  • 2009 Winners
• World Rose Directory 2010
• Rose Conservation Database
• World Rose News
• What's New
• Links
• Contact Us

    President's Message

From Geneva, Switzerland
June, 2010

Dear Rosarians of our Forty member Countries,

The June World Rose News is the third published in less than a year, and I thank Richard Walsh for all the time he has devoted to producing a publication which is hopefully of interest to all our readers. Our thanks must also go to Helga Brichet, Chairman of the Editorial Board. It is very important that World Rose News reaches all our members throughout the world because it is our best means of communication and spreading the good news about what is happening in the rose world.

I suppose it is inevitable that from time to time we will have deaths to announce of our most respected rosarians, and this time we pay tribute to Frank Bernardella and Professor Gianfranco Fineschi who have died recently. They will most certainly be missed.

Again I would like to thank the societies that have kindly sent me a copy of their annual or rose periodical and I very much look forward to hearing from those whose publication hasn't found its way to my desk as yet! This is such a good means for me to learn about what is happening in your area.

Those of you who attended the first Regional Convention in Changzhou, China will know what a success it was and will always remember the most spectacular Opening Ceremony. The Chinese Greening and Gardening Bureau, supported by Gerald Méylan, Chairman of the Convention Committee, did everything in their power to ensure the smooth running of the convention and to make the 184 delegates from 13 different countries most welcome. However, we missed those who were unable to attend due to the Iceland volcanic ash - 31 from Romania and 10 from Luxembourg, apart from individuals who were travelling independently. Although delegates were sorry not to see many roses in bloom, the rose exhibits and displays were eye catching and novel and enjoyed by all.

The convention and post convention tours ended on 6 May and since then I have visited 6 member countries in Europe and attended 5 annual rose trials, and I thank these areas for a very warm welcome. The Chelsea Flower Show with 3 rose stands of well known British rose breeders was a highlight, particularly as I hadn't been to Chelsea since 1960 when 'Super Star' was launched and was a focal point of the show.

I will continue my 8 week tour through more rose member countries before returning to South Africa on 19 June for the all important pruning season, and will report more fully in the next World Rose News. Again, I urge our Vice Presidents and representatives throughout the rose world to ensure this worthwhile publication reaches as many rose lovers as possible.

Enjoy your roses, no matter what the season.

Rose Regards,

Sheenagh Harris