A love of roses, live entertainment and a fantastic venue drew more than 500 people to Rose Sunday at the weekend.
The roses turned it on with the more than 5500 bushes blooming for the day. It was the 50th anniversary of the rose gardens and it is intended that the event, which used to be held annually, will once again be held every year, in November.
Rose Sunday was organised by the Hastings Rose Society and Hastings District Council. The crowd lapped up the live music and the children fell in love with the ponies giving pony rides; there was face painting, big bubbles and blue blocks to play with, and, of course, the roses to admire.
Hastings acting mayor Sandra Hazlehurst unveiled a plaque acknowledging the donation of a pavilion in park, made by the rose society and the Lattey family.
Rose society president Cheryl Lattey said the afternoon was an outstanding success despite the weather being cooler than normal for the time of year.