The White Rose of Yorkshire

When you visit the studio, you may notice a solitary white rose protruding from the Cotoneaster. This Iceberg Rose has been there 25 years now.

It was planted along with many others after a short discussion with our landlord. Back in 1995. Then Rosedale was much busier with visitors than it is today. All summer long we were packed out with folks watching the glassmaking and families leaning in the windows to get the best view. The folks leaning in the windows became quite a distraction. I suggested we planted attractive Red Roses and lavender along the front of the building to discourage folks blocking of the windows, and discussed the idea with the landlord, who at that time was my was my Father in-law.

Harry was a lovely man, a trained negotiator with stern poker face, but with an amazing set of eyebrows that somehow always revealed what he truly thought. So, I asked if I could plant red roses to help solve the window problem and was fixed with a stare that came out from under his wonderful eyebrows. This stare said many things, but the clearest message was no. White Roses were though, acceptable and white roses went in. However, it soon became clear that they were suffering underfoot and they were all removed and the sturdy cotoneaster planted.

However, this single white rose remains, every year it pushes its way though the cotoneaster to flower in front of the window. I always think of Harry, a Yorkshire gentleman.