13287/2THE celebrations kick off today for the 800th anniversary marking Marlborough receiving its Royal Charter from King John in 1204.

Many are expecting the arrival of Prince Charles and the Civil War re-enactment to be the highlight of the celebrations, but as far as children at the town's three primary schools are concerned, the event will be absolutely magic.

The Gazette is sponsoring a performance today by magic duo Razzmatazz.

Children from St Peter's Junior School, Preshute School and St Mary's Infants will be entertained with a magic show in the town hall.

It will feature the husband and wife duo Razamatazz from Swindon, and the Gazette mascot , Gilbert the alligator.

The Gazette will be providing sweets for the children at each of the performances.

Each school will be treated to an hour of magic, illusion and entertainment with lots of jokes, surprises and audience participation.

The comedy couple have entertained at holiday centres, stately homes, many major public events, store openings and private parties.

The magic show has been organised for the town's 2004 committee by town councillor Peggy Dow.

It will launch ten days of celebrations culminating with the visit of Prince Charles next Friday.

Coun Dow said: "We wanted an event especially for the children and I am sure they will all enjoy Razamatazz.

"At the end of each show the children will receive a special souvenir pen to commemorate the town's 800th anniversary."

The shows will take place in the upstairs Assembly Room at the town hall because the ground floor is being used as a Euro election polling station.

During the morning the Carnival Princess and Butterfly Queen will be chosen.

The festival has something to offer people of all ages but the exact details of the Prince's visit have been kept under wraps until this week.

For security reasons St James Palace did not want give his itinerary in advance.

But it has now been revealed that his stay in Marlborough will include a tour of Waitrose supermarket in the High Street.

He will arrive in Marlborough at 11.30am on Friday, June 18, and at Marlborough College Master's Lodge gates he will unveil a plaque on the site of King John's hunting lodge. Escorted by the Mayor, Graham Francis, the prince will then walk along the High Street.

Huge crowds are expected to line the route and schoolchildren will be allowed out of classes to see the Prince.

After the excitement of the royal visit activity will be kept at fever pitch at the weekend with the re-enactment of the Battle of Marlborough.

In the original battle on December 5 1642 Royalist Lord Henry Wilmot and Lord Digby led a troop of dragoons in a daring attack on the town. Cavaliers fought street by street and plundered the town but their success opened up a communication line from the Royalist HQ in Oxford to the South West.

The English Civil War Society will re-enact the fierce fighting between Roundheads and Cavaliers with musketeers and pikemen in the High Street at 6pm on Saturday June 19 and 3pm on Sunday June 20.

Programme of events

Thursday June 10 Children's Party sponsored by Gazette at town hall for three schools, St Peter's Juniors, 9.15am; Preshute Primary, 10.30am; St Mary's Infants, 11.45am.

Friday June 11 and Saturday June 12: Victorian Steam Fair in the High Street 11am-11pm (the Mop fairs as they were more than 100 years ago).

Thursday June 17 and Friday June 18: Town play Wheels of Time being presented in the High Street at 7pm.

Friday June 18: Royal visit by Prince Charles. 10.45am, prince arrives at Marlborough College Master's Lodge gates, prince leaves college at 11.30am to walk with mayor down the High Street, arriving at Waitrose at around 11.50am when he will walk to Hilliers Yard and back up through store. 12.05pm, the prince continues his walkabout in the High Street meeting groups including local schools. 12.15pm, the prince goes to the Merchant's House. 1pm, arrives at town hall where David Sherratt will read a condensed version of the Charter of 1204. 1.15pm, the prince attends a reception. 1.40pm, signs the visitors' book in the Mayor's Parlour and takes his leave.

Saturday and Sunday June 19 and 20 10am to 5pm: Living History project by the Devereux Regiment in the Priory Gardens.

Saturday June 19: reconstruction of the Battle of Marlborough by the English Civil War Society (6pm on Saturday and 3pm on Sunday)

Sunday June 20: Procession of Wiltshire mayors at 11am from the town hall along the High Street to a Thanksgiving Service at Marlborough College Chapel at noon.