It was the years that saw the rise of the Beatles, the Great Train Robbery, the launch off BBC2 and Harold Wilson become Prime Minister - and Watford hold its annual carnival.

Were you part of the procession as it made its way along Leavesden Road and St Albans Road in these images from 1963 and 1964? Perhaps you know someone who was? Or maybe you, a relative or a friend were lining the kerbs as the parade may its way through town.

Whether you were part of it or not, scroll down this page and enjoy a wonderful array of sights and scenes that were captured by keen photographer Derek Simmonds more than 50 years ago.

Derek's son-in-law Richard Massara posted this great collection to our nostalgia Facebook group, We grew up in Watford, after his wife Jackie kindly agreed for her late father's pictures to be shared.

Such was the quantity of photos Derek took of the parades in the 1960s, we'll be publishing more over the weekend.

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Did you grow up in Watford and want to share your memories and pictures from your younger days. Join our new group via this link.

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