It must have been a mild winter! They are semi-evergreen here, and OCD gardeners snip off all the old leaves just before new growth starts, to reduce transmission of pests and diseases from year to year. If not removed, though, the old leaves just turn yellow and drop off as new growth pushes through.

Thanks.
Yes, it's been a pretty mild winter but the rose has also had the protection of shelter from cold winds and been trained up the house wall, which must add a few degrees!
About snipping off all last year's leaves ... will that speed up the new leaves developing? I assume waiting until they drop off will delay that.
Glad you advise that because the current leaves don't look good.

Mine is the same.{east Yorks} they will drop off when new foliage takes over. In fact it has been throwing out the odd flower all the way through Dec and Jan.

Okay, but will snipping off the current leaves speed up the new leaves developing, or does it make no difference and is a waste of time?

It speeds up the emergence of new leaves, but reduces future growth slightly. If you want it to cover more area quickly, I would leave the old leaves, and cultivate a good earthworm population, to increase the plant's immune system.

Thanks again.

I've decided to just leave the current leaves on and let it do what comes naturally!
But it will certainly look better when the new foilage replaces the old.

I've pruned mine back to fit the arch and new shoots are forming but there are old leaves on the branches.