Hmm, well, rather depends what type of rose it is - is it free standing or against a wall? And if its against a wall, does it flower all in one flush and that's it, no more flowers till the next year, or does it carry on sporadically flowering throughout summer?

its a rose bush half way down the garden against the fence that hasnt been cut back for many ah year.the old lady that was here before me let it go and it now stands over looking the neighbours.its stem have grown on and on each year and it now stands approx 12-16ft high.the bulk of the flowers flower at the same time but flowers do emerge throughout summer.the thing is the stems are SO long that when it does flower the weight of the flowers bends the stems right over that they nearly touch the ground making a 12ft high plant a 12ft round plant.i dont want to get rid of such an old plant but keep it and keep it under control lol.

It definitely sounds like a climber - could be a rambler, but they're more inclined to have just the one flush of flowers, usually around June time, for about 6 weeks. It really needs some sort of supportive framework along the fence (wires through eyes or something). You can prune it hard end of February/early March, but if you don't retain some of the newer stems, you will lose flowers this year. The idea with these is you remove spent (flowered stems) - if there are lots of stems all over, you can take some back to the graft point at the bottom, otherwise, reduce by two thirds. The newer, more pliable stems are meant to be trained by being tied along a wire or something on the fence, preferably horizontally, but that isn't always possible if the stems are very stiff, so tie into place so they're at least spread out in a fan shape.
When you do finally go out to prune it, stand back and look at it - you're looking for any dead, diseased wood, or branches that cross each other and rub together, causing damage on stems. Remove all those first. Then cut back older wood, and take off a third of the longer, newer growths, tie in. Remember, always cut to an outward facing leaf, making an angled cut sloping away from the leaf. Sharp secateurs and a pair of loppers are a must.
Course, if you can't be doing with fiddling about as described, you can cut back as hard as you like, so long as you don't cut beyond the graft point at the base of the plant. Doing that might give you an opportunity to put something on the fence so you can tie it in when it does regrow.

many thanks bamboo
i will take your comments on board and into the garden with me secateurs.photos to follow next year haha.

Sorry about the essay! But I always feel obliged to tell people what they OUGHT to do as well as what they can get away with, lol! If it's that overgrown, you'll probably need loppers as well for any thick dead wood or thick stems.

no appologise needed as although a long comment it was very informative thanks and now i will feel confident in tackling it as before i wouldnt go near it for fear of damaging it.it is such a old and impressive flowering plant that i didnt want to get rid of and now i known what to do to have a thriving rose bush for 2013.thanks again.

Sorry to but in but did find your essey very interesting Bamboo.
And now look forward to seeing before and after photos LS.

If Laversteve's anything like me, he'll be out there with a pair of loppers taking it back to a nicely shaped framework, and hang the flowers for this year, lol! You'd still get some anyway, later on.

How exciting to have this problem! I pruned my mum's overgrown, unpruned Zephrine Drouhine rose a couple of years ago and tied in some of the younger growth. After a good feed and mulch it flowered well and she really appreciated the job done. She was a bit dubious at first but I persuaded her it was the right thing to do! Grit your teeth and enjoy!

bamboo.for a novice its going to be interesting but im looking forward to the challenge lol although im not too sure what you mean by a nicely shaped framework.me being me i would use that comment to litterate the female figure but never heard it used to describe what to do with a rose.could you explain more please.

Ha ha, a comment on the male mind there...
I haven't seen your rose, but from what you describe, it seems its not been pruned for some time, and its now overgrown and reaching everywhere. In other words, drastic action is required. If you have lots of thick, old wood in the centre of the plant, then I'd be inspecting that to see if any of it's dead or diseased and taking that off first. Then having a look at what's left and cutting appropriately - difficult to say without seeing the plant exactly how I'd do it.
On the other hand, if you have not very much old wood, just lots of trailing green stems, then you don't need such a drastic approach.

ive got you now lol.and yes it seems like it was pruned and trimmed regularly many years ago but has been neglected for many a year.there is lots of old dead bits in the centre.you have been so helpful..many thanks.im going to spend a whole day trimming it and tackle it with convidence now.thanks again.