John Innes Rose presentation

June 25 2010

The John Innes Centre has presented a gift of a rose bush to a number of the science institute’s partners and supporters at a special evening at Peter Beales Roses, Attleborough, on Monday 28th June.

The John Innes Centre, one of the world’s leading research centres in plant and microbial research, is celebrating its centenary this year, and to mark the occasion rosa ‘John Innes’ was launched by Peter Beales at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show in May, where the celebrated rose breeders picked up their 18th Gold Medal.

John Innes were the former keepers of the National Rose Species Collection, when they were based in Merton and later in Bayfordbury in Hertfordshire. During this time much research into the genetics and breeding of roses was carried out, developing many of the propagation methods still employed to this day. When the John Innes moved to its present site in Colney some of the collection were given to Peter Beales Roses.
The John Innes Centre ipresented roses to representatives from Norwich City Council and South Norfolk Council, as well as Lord Iveagh of EEDA and the centre’s former MP Charles Clarke, in recognition of their support over the years.

Roses were also presented to the John Innes Centre’s partners on the Norwich Research Park. Professor Edward Acton, Vice-Chancellor of the UEA, and Richard Mithen of the Institute of Food Research collecedt roses to recognise the close and fruitful working relationships on the NRP. In addition, representatives from another NRP partner, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) received a rose. The NNUH are to feature the rose in a new garden being developed by the hospital Arts project.

Clive Bound, Vice Principal of Easton College accepted a rose marking the College’s association with the John Innes Centre, which is now being further strengthened through the recently launched Centre for Contemporary Agriculture.

The partners of three past John Innes directors were also presented with roses, and earlier this year the John Innes Centre presented all members of its staff with over 20 years service with one of the John Innes Roses.

The sold-out evening is organised by the Friends of John Innes Centre, and included a talk on the historical rose research at the John Innes by Dr Sarah Wilmot, and a talk by Peter Beales’ Head Nurseryman Ian Limmer, supported by Amanda Beales.

Contacts:
JIC Press Office:
Andrew Chapple, Tel: 01603 251490, email: andrew.chapple@bbsrc.ac.uk

Notes to Editors:

About the John Innes Centre
The John Innes Centre, www.jic.ac.uk, is an independent, world-leading research centre in plant and microbial sciences with over 500 staff. JIC is based on Norwich Research Park and carries out high quality fundamental, strategic and applied research to understand how plants and microbes work at the molecular, cellular and genetic levels. The JIC also trains scientists and students, collaborates with many other research laboratories and communicates its science to end-users and the general public. The JIC is grant aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

Peter Beales Roses – founded on a single passion

Peter Beales’ love affair with roses began in his grandfather’s garden. One rose caught his attention – it was ‘Maiden’s Blush’ the famous Alba rose. Later, he became aware of the ‘Dog’ rose in the Norfolk hedgerows, not just the flowers but the hips too. This laid the foundations of the company.

Fifty years later, Peter Beales Roses have one of the world’s largest, commercial collections of over 1,300 rose varieties, with more than 200 unique to us in the UK. We have purpose built buildings, a shop, bistro and 2½ acres of garden and arguably the best rose catalogue and website with visitors from all around the world.

But, we do more than just sell roses. Over the last year we have branched out into garden maintenance and landscape design. With the addition of “state of the art” garden design software, we have the ability to produce detailed, full colour designs for any sized garden in either classic or contemporary styles. We have worked for many satisfied clients and we’d also welcome you. Could we be maintaining or landscaping your garden soon?

Website: www.classicroses.co.uk Email: info@peterbealesroses.com Telephone: 0845 481 0277

Links

John Innes Rose presentation