The rain didn’t deter crowds from lining the streets of Rickmansworth this weekend as the 60th annual Ricky Week celerations kicked off.

Despite a dreary forecast, the weather held together for the duration of the parade which saw decorated floats move through High Street, between the railway bridge and St Joan of Arc School, and down to the Bury grounds on Saturday morning.

Watford Observer:

Scores of families stepped out to enjoy the popular community event, which is organised by the Rickmansworth Society, and Ricky Week events will continue to be held all over town for the remainder of the week.

Several market stalls, a tug-of-war competition, a barbeque and also proved popular at the Grand Carnival Fete, organised by the Batchworth Sea Scouts, in the Bury grounds on Saturday afternoon.

Barbara Owen, secretary of the Rickmansworth Society, said: "Opening weekend went very well.

"The parade was absolutely lovely. The chairman of Three Rivers District Council, Les Mead, opened the week and then the rain came down in a deludge.

"We were quite fortunate really. Some people cancelled their stalls because of the weather.

"But when the sun came out, the grass dried out. Apart from the weather, which was actually better than forecast, it couldn’t have gone better."

Watford Observer:

Still to come for Ricky Week is the Rickmansworth Young Musician of the Year competition, the St John Ambulance presentation and a big band evening of jazz.

The nine-day Ricky Week concludes with the 21st Rickmansworth Festival on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18.

Live music, markets, boat trips and Morris dancing will held from 10.30am to 10.30pm on Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday at the Aquadrome

Organised by the Rickmansworth Waterways Trust, a donation of at least £2 is requested of visitors to the festival.