DEVIZES is to open the Queen's jubilee celebrations on Monday June 3 with a royal walkabout.

Her Majesty may not actually be appearing in person, but the town has found its own celebrity impersonator, Wharf Theatre actress Merrily Powell, to take on the role.

During the celebrations, Mrs Powell will walk from Devizes Castle to the Market Place, accompanied by her lady-in-waiting, alias Ann Lake, a nurse and volunteer at the theatre.

The royal party will be escorted into the Market Place by the Wiltshire Constabulary Band.

Mrs Powell is the perfect choice to play the Queen, as her answerphone used to feature an impersonation of Her Majesty.

The actress, who lives in Devizes, has not met the Queen, but was in the crowd when she attended a Maundy Thursday service at Salisbury Cathedral 25 years ago.

She said: "I think the Queen is amazing. She puts duty before herself. I think the death of the Queen Mother showed just how much the country loved her."

Mrs Powell is hoping the celebrations in Devizes will be a fun day out for all the family.She said: "I will do my bit to give a feeling of royal presence but I will keep my speech nice and brief and there will be nothing political in it.

"I'm glad Devizes is doing something, it should make for a good atmosphere and I think it will be great fun."

And the stroll will be given a truly authentic flavour by the actress's other travelling companions Corgis.

Giselle and her daughter Amina are the pair of pooches who will be adding a regal air to the celebrations.

The Corgis' owner is Jillian Newsom of Seend, who is delighted they will be taking part in the celebrations.

Their participation is apt as they are descendants of royal litters of Corgis Giselle's father sired a litter which the Queen kept as pets.

Giselle is nine years-old and Amina is seven.

Mrs Newsom, an artist, grew up with Corgis when she was a child and has owned several.

She said: "Giselle and Amina are happy dogs and they have good temperaments. I am sure they will enjoy taking part in the procession."

Mrs Newsom, 57, met the Queen when she was 18, when she accompanied her father to a function at the Guildhall in London. "She is immensely easy to speak to and she does remember people she has met before. I remember I was struck by her beautiful blue eyes and nice complexion," she said.

Mrs Newsom's husband, Peter, 58, met the Queen at Buckingham Palace ten years ago when the company he worked for in Newbury won a technology award.

Mrs Newsom, who also has three German Shepherd dogs, says it is appropriate for the country to unite in celebration for the golden jubilee. There will be entertainment throughout the day in the Market Place including The Major Wrecks, the Devizes Town Band and Bromham magician Jack Stephens concluding with a church service in the Moat of the Castle Grounds at about 5.30pm.

The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment will be running activities all day, including tug of war and a mini assault course.

If you wish to enter a team for these, fax Major Nigel Walker on (01722) 421626.

At both locations, there will be an array of stalls and beer tents.

l Organising a street party in a residential area in Devizes for the golden jubilee celebrations has engendered a community spirit that looks set to continue afterwards. The street party planned for residents in Bricksteed Avenue is being supported by virtually all the householders in the street.

Albert Woolridge, 60, has organised the event. Mr Woolridge has lived in the street for 18 years but only knows a handful of people. He said: "I used to live in a village where everybody knew everybody. I thought having the street party would be a good way of getting to know other people in the street as well as celebrating the Queen's golden jubilee."

Mr Woolridge, who works for St Ivel in Wootton Bassett, said: "Some residents have said we ought to set up a group after it has finished, such as Neighbourhood Watch or a residents' committee.

Bricksteed Avenue will be closed from 11am to 9pm on Sunday June 2. There will be a meal for children followed by games and a fancy dress competition. Householders are also urged to battle it out for the title of best decorated house. In the evening, there is a barbecue and a fancy dress contest.

Dish of the day

BUTCHER Steve Cook will be reviving Victorian memories at Devizes' golden jubilee celebrations.

Mr Cook, who owns Walter Rose & Son butchers in the town, will be roasting an ox on The Green on Monday June 3, the carving will start at 10am.

In June 1887, employees of Walter Rose & Son did the same thing to celebrate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee. Back then, the ox used was a massive 840lbs and took three hours to cook. The ox Mr Cook will be using will be about half the size. An 1887 photograph of the ox being roasted is still on display in Mr Cook's shop in Sidmouth Street. Mr Cook also has two bones from the same ox mounted in the shop. He said: "I have always thought it would be nice to replicate what they did in 1887.""The Golden Jubilee celebrations seemed too good an opportunity not to miss. Roasting an ox is rarely done so I am looking forward to it."

A report of the ox being roasted in 1887 described the considerable effort it took to cook it. The report says: "Cooking began at 7.30pm under the instruction of a journeyman roaster. A man at either end turned the carcass by crank handles, large dripping pans caught the fat. The mayor had the first slice and portions were sent to all inmates of the Workhouse.''