From royalty to TV personalities and a future prime minister, Watford attracted its share of famous visitors in the 1960s while people enjoyed dancing at Top Rank or seeing local bands perform.

These images and captions are taken from the ‘Watford in the Sixties’ supplement published by the Watford Observer in June 1997.

Featuring visits by the Queen Mother, Tony Blackburn and Andy Cannon and The Rioteers performing, some of these photos may not have been published since the supplement was produced 25 years ago. We hope you enjoy the opportunity to look through them.

Read more: When Watford underwent huge change

Watford Observer: The Queen Mother goes “walkabout” a decade before the term was inventedThe Queen Mother goes “walkabout” a decade before the term was invented

Watford Observer: A flash of teeth and a big smile. That’s Tony Blackburn at Strawberry Fields record store, RickmansworthA flash of teeth and a big smile. That’s Tony Blackburn at Strawberry Fields record store, Rickmansworth

Watford Observer: They filmed a scene from Z Cars in Watford MarketThey filmed a scene from Z Cars in Watford Market

Watford Observer: Getting hip to the Hornets. Vicarage Road became trendy, for a spell, then began to pay more attention to being progressive on the fieldGetting hip to the Hornets. Vicarage Road became trendy, for a spell, then began to pay more attention to being progressive on the field

Watford Observer: Was this really where it was all happening, baby? Top Rank dancing, but if you did not have lapels, man, you couldn’t make it insideWas this really where it was all happening, baby? Top Rank dancing, but if you did not have lapels, man, you couldn’t make it inside

Watford Observer: Local resident, singer Val Doonican crowns Miss Rickmansworth in Ricky WeekLocal resident, singer Val Doonican crowns Miss Rickmansworth in Ricky Week

Watford Observer: In the days before flower power, smart dudes Andy Cannon and The Rioteers were popular locallyIn the days before flower power, smart dudes Andy Cannon and The Rioteers were popular locally

Watford Observer: Shortly before being dubbed “Thatcher the milk-snatcher”, Margaret Thatcher makes a rare appearance in Watford to boost the Conservative causeShortly before being dubbed “Thatcher the milk-snatcher”, Margaret Thatcher makes a rare appearance in Watford to boost the Conservative cause