THERE was a right royal knees up in Devizes as scores of people gathered to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday and raise money for our Julia's House appeal.

Devizes fundraising group Omnes Ad Unum organised a royal feast to mark the special occasion on Thursday which included a hilarious romp through underwear from the past 400 years by actress and wit Rosemary Hawthorne.

Mrs Hawthorne from Long Street, who is better known at The Knicker Lady, puts on one woman show which has been a hit across the country and is well known as an after dinner speaker. She brought along a number of props including a pair of Queen Victoria's knickers.

Another highlight of the evening was a royal cake baked and decorated in the shape of a crown by Izabela Tong.

Group member Marji Pook had the honour of cutting the three tier royal confection with a sword which had been presented by King Edward VIII to the father of Victoria Heaton-Renshaw from Crowman Antiques, Devizes and loaned for the evening's celebrations.

Mike Sanders from Omnes, which was set up to support St John's Church and local good causes, said: "It was a truly happy evening as more than 90 people celebrated in the glorious surroundings of the Town Hall which had been decorated throughout in red, white and blue." He thanked Morrisons for their continued support and help with providing the beef for the banquet. 

Chef Peter Vaughan of The Bistro, Devizes provided the party with a feast fit for a Queen which included canapes and bubbly served downstairs in the Cheese Hall, followed upstairs in the main hall by sharing platters including coronation chicken, English beef and artisan breads.

The meal finished with a syllabub topped with a compote of rhubarb and strawberries. Fittingly Mr Vaughan is a member of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and one of his colleagues head chef to the royal household Mark Flanagan helped him to come up with food that the royal family themselves would enjoy.

Mr Vaughan said: "I really enjoy researching the history of food and this was a wonderful opportunity to give people a taste of some fantastic dishes from different periods."

Music was provided by Chris Totney, the organist and choir master of St John’s Devizes. Raffle prizes contributed to the evening’s profits which are still be finalised.

Half of the money raised from the evening will go to Julia's House and the rest to the church. The Gazette is raising £100,000 to pay for carers for families in Wiltshire with sick and disabled children.

A Julia's House hospice is due to open next year on part of the old Kennet District Council offices at Browfort but the charity is already providing nursing and carer support to families in the county.