Stewarton

and it's wonderful bonnet guild week

By B A Thomas

Taken from the 1985 Bonnet Guild Festival Guide

0 Beautiful town of Stewarton, you are wonderous to behold.

You have many new buildings, though parts of you are still very old

You boast a brand new school and an old church with a clock,

Likewise a magnificent viaduct that carries trains to Kilmarnock.

To sing of you my heart is with rapture filled,

And I am happy to toast you and your wonderful Bonnet Guild,

Which has done many good deeds about the town,

And has thus gained world-wide fame and renown.

It is very well known that in the year 1933

The Bonnet Guild was formed, and its first deacon was Robert Mackie,

And for all the years since then, calculated in number fifty-two,

The town has benefited very well, and will continue so to do.

But the highlight of every year takes place In Glorious June,

When flags and bunting are hung up all over the. town,

And the whole populace of Stewarton, I am happy for to fell,

Takes part in Bonnet Guild Week, end enjoy themselves very well.

And of the many events at which good time doth ensue,

There is room here to relate but only a few.

Firstly there is a grand concert which many have attested,

Is most entertaining to see, and at which the deacon is invested.

Then most popular with Guild members one and all, .
Is the Miss Stewarton contest held in the Institute Hall,

Where, ably assisted by the members who are always to the fore.

There are many young ladies who prove most beautiful to be sure.

But the one which to me seems most pure delight,

Takes place traditionally on Friday night.

When children of all ages do gather proudly to parade

In procession through the town in fancy dresses they have made.

And on the last Saturday the crowds do gather in Avenue Square,

Where they eagerly await the moment when the Corsehill Queen will arrive there.
And then preceded by the most wonderful Kilmarnock Pipe Band,

She arrives at nearly half-past one and climbs up onto the stand.

0 Beautiful Corsehill Queen. so charming to my sight,

Your radiance cannot be matched, even by the sunlight.

And when you are crowned not one person in the crowd does fail,

To cheer and shout, "Lovely Queen of Corsehill - Hail."

So prosperity to Stewarton and her Bonnet Guild as well,

For you seem to me a most wonderful place to dwell.

And whether I am here or someday far away,

You are the grandest town in Scotland, that no-one can gainsay.