A man celebrated his 83rd birthday at his first ever Pride festival this year, escorted by his carers.

Pride 2021 was held in Watford’s Cassiobury Park on Saturday, running from midday to 10pm and attracting people from all over Hertfordshire and beyond.

Derek Webber lives in Tremona care home, Watford, and had never been to Pride, despite knowing he was gay from an early age and having a partner for a long time.

Gay Pride is an annual celebration of LGBTQ people coming together to promote dignity, equality and greater visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Watford Observer: Derek Webber at Herts Pride 2021Derek Webber at Herts Pride 2021

Tremona care home engagement lead Margaret Daniels said the home has celebrated Pride for the past three years and so she was surprised when she found out that Derek had never been himself.

Margaret, who was “honoured” to escort him there, said: “I thought it's never too late and you're never too old to attend Pride so I asked him if he wanted to go and was pleased when he said yes. 

“The fact that Herts Pride was on his birthday made it even better! 

“Derek was very chuffed to be treated like a celebrity by everyone at the Herts Pride event with people keen to wish him a happy birthday and pose for photos with him. It really made his day!”