The Royal Windsor Rose and Horticultural Society (RWRHS) is one of the oldest local organisations in Windsor. It has enjoyed the patronage of five sovereigns and has been promoting knowledge of and interest in horticulture in the area since it was founded in 1892.
In 2013 the Royal Windsor Rose & Horticultural Society commissioned a Coronation Arch, a floral art installation, to celebrate the society's patron Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 60th coronation anniversary. The tradition of triumphant arches was popular in Windsor throughout the Georgian times to the Victorian era, when the town would celebrate milestones of the Royal Family with the construction of temporary archways.
The contemporary triumphant arch of 2013 was designed by RHS gold-medal-winner John Warland, and created by a team of young British horticultural artists; Spencer Jenkins (willow artist) Rebecca Law (floral designer) and Julia Wylie (planting designer). It consisted of six gigantic willow arches, each representing a decade of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II's reign.
A striking piece of natural architecture was built over 10 weeks during the summer of 2013 with a tremendous effort by the Berkshire community, local people and businesses alike; including Centrica, J Rayner & Sons, ComXo, Plantify, SAMKA, C8 Consulting and ICE Experience Windsor.
J Rayner & Sons Ltd has been a major contributor to the project which was opened on September 14th 2013 for a six weeks display in front of Windsor Castle by the constable and governor of Windsor Castle, Ian Madfadyen OBE, together with Alan Titchmarsh.
The project has been a huge success, receiving nationwide media coverage on TV, print and online (ITV, BBC, The Times, Independent, Daily Mail etc). So far it has managed to raise over £30,000 for the Coronation Legacy Fund, a bursary which will sponsor a young deserving person through horticultural college every year, for the next 60 years.
"We are extremely grateful to Colin Rayner and his team for their relentless and invaluable support. The professional work of J Rayner & Sons has made it a smooth and enjoyable project." Andrew Try, Chairman RWRHS
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