Rose specialists win 29th Chelsea Flower Show gold

The display by Peter Beales aims to honour the 200th birthday of the RNLI

A specialist rose grower has scooped its 29th gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show - and unveiled a special anniversary rose.

Peter Beales Roses, based in Attleborough, Norfolk, previously produced the Queen's Rose for the late monarch's Diamond Jubilee.

The winning display also honoured the 200th birthday of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) with the "With Courage" rose.

The company hopes the yellow rose will recognise and raise funds for the work of the RNLI.

Former Blue Presenters Lindsey Russell, Anthea Turner and Janet Ellis visited the display

The "With Courage" rose was bred by Peter Beales nursery manager Ian Limmer, who had a personal connection with the RNLI as his grandfather served at Sheringham Lifeboat Station.

It was unveiled at the winning display in the Great Pavilion at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on Monday.

Peter Beales was awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour by the RHS in recognition of his success as a rose grower, which began in 1968, when he opened his business in Swardeston.

He died in 2013 at the age of 76.

The firm was taken over by Bells Horticultural of Lincolnshire in February.

Managing director Robert Bell said at the time that they hoped to maintain the "integral" parts of the business, including the garden centre, rose garden and breeding programme.

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