WEST Devon residents who met the Queen and played a part during the first day of her historic Golden Jubilee tour of the country last Wednesday, this week told the Times about their red letter day.
Around 30 people from all walks of life in West Devon were specially invited to be part of the celebrations in Exeter last week, including borough mayor Cllr Robin Pike.
Ross Symons, the 12-year-old Tavistock College student who presented the Queen with a specially commissioned book of apples, drawn by Devon youngsters, said he was 'quite nervous' about the experience, which was the last engagement during the royal visit to Exeter.
Ross said he had to wait for about two hours before finally meeting the Queen.
'She asked me which picture was mine, and said thank you for the book,' said Ross, who was faced with a barrage of 'What's she like, what's she like?' from his friends at school next day.
Lewdown's Bob Westlake, one of the residents who spearheaded the West Devon Drive, said meeting the Queen at County Hall in Exeter was a wonderful experience.
Mr Westlake said he told the Queen that the Drive was a 'unique scheme' whereby residents along the 12-mile stretch of the old A30 had control of the day-to-day running of the road in an attempt to boost businesses.
Mr Westlake said: 'She was very interested — we had quite a long chat.
'She commented on the fact that when an area is by-passed people suddenly have to make a huge adjustment and it was good that people made an effort to negate that, which we did, with particular help from West Devon Borough Council.'
Mr Westlake said he felt the Queen was a 'superbly strong character' who did a wonderful job.
'She was most charming. I felt so honoured to be asked to go, and to actually be introduced to her was just wonderful,' he said.
Valerie Hill of Lamerton said she was 'very, very lucky' to have been able to speak to the Queen.
Mrs Hill said: 'She particularly wanted to speak to people who were affected by foot and mouth. We have a pedigree herd of South Devon cattle and although fortunately we didn't lose our cattle, we were severely affected by restrictions.
'I also run a bed and breakfast which again was severely curtailed for three months — she was very interested to hear our side of things.'
Mrs Hill also said the Queen was 'charming' and although the whole experience had been a bit daunting, it was one she would never forget.
'I've never ever even come close to her before in my life and I really was quite overwhelmed — she really is a magical lady,' said Mrs Hill, who was impressed that the Queen showed no signs of tiredness, despite the fact it was her last engagement of a very hectic day.
Cllr Pike said the royal visit was 'an occasion to remember'.
'It was an absolutely magical day, it was wonderful,' he said.
'It was very well organised indeed. The Queen met people from throughout West Devon — she was very sincere and she had a good talk with those who had been involved with foot and mouth, which was something she requested.'