The carnival procession was a popular Spring Bank Holiday tradition in Watford for many years – including those when it literally rained on the parade.

Umbrellas and waterproof clothing were a necessity for those who chose to come out and watch the procession on May 26, 1981 as those taking part were forced to brave torrential conditions.

These pictures from the Watford Observer archive were taken as the parade set off still looking quite dry, only for some participants to be soaked to the skin by the time it arrived at the Rickmansworth Road underpass by the Town Hall.

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The young people on the Watford Life-Saving Club float continued to wave enthusiastically at those lining the route, although there must have been a temptation to take to their boat such were the conditions.

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