Question
I was given this rose a few yrs ago by my son who recently died, I planted it near a hedge and it hasn't thrived.  I want to move it to a sunny position near where I can see it.
Have you any advice about compost, fertilisers, or tips as I don't want to lose it, so precious.  cheers, Ruth

Answer
Because this rose is very important, there are certain things you must do to make sure it will survive and do well. I don't know where you garden, but if the rose has not started to show new growth, now is a good time to move it, because moving a rose when in growth usually will set the rose back a year. Have the new hole ready and is you have any compost, fill the base up with one third as this is where the feeder roots are so no need to place it near the top of the hole. Fill the rest of the hole up with your soil. Water the rose well the night before you are going to move it. Then cut it right back to about 3 feet Never mind how you cut it just cut right across the plant. The reason you do that is because you can't help damaging the roots when you dig it up.  Plus the move always puts a rose under stress and when under stress, the roots shut down. Plant the rose, water it well and then place some sort of mulch such as wood chips, compost even extra soil and make a carpet around the base. This will keep the roots cool and damp and roses love, cool damp roots and do much better when they get that situation.
Now here is the important part. Because the roots won't be able to do their job of taking up the water and fertilizer, you will have to make sure that the soil is kept damp never too wet. Again because the roots won't use any fertilizer, don't give it any. Wait until you see new growth starting and then give it some liquid Alaska fish fertilizer. For some unknown reason, roses love fish fertilizer. Also it is gentle on the roots. Just soak the soil around the rose with the fish monthly. Use about 1 tablespoon to 2 quarts of water.
The secret to keeping transplanted roses alive is water, water, water, just a little but daily. If during the summer heat, the rose starts to droop, don't panic simply use a little more water if that is needed to keep the soil damp. The rose may not perk up until next spring, but don't give up just treat it like it is alive, because it will be. Even wash it down with water in the morning and let the sun dry if off when the weather turns hot. People will be horrified and tell you not to, but that is a old rose myth about not getting water on a rose.
Roses can take up water through their leaves Different roses re-act in different ways when moved as roses hate to be disturbed. Compassion is a vigorous rose and should come back quickly. Never use any insecticide or fungal spray on a transplanted rose as this can cause problems if they re-act to it.
Again, not knowing what type of summer you get, if you garden where summers can get really hot and the rose looks sad, drape some thin cotton material over the whole rose and keep watering but make sure the cotton is also wet. This will give the rose some shade and protection from the sun's harsh rays. If you run into any problems, please get in touch and I will help you.