Former Corsehill Queen returns to Stewarton 72 years on

Sep 12 2008 by Stef Lach, Kilmarnock Standard

AN EXILED former Corsehill Queen returned to Stewarton 72 years on – after seeing a video of this year’s Bonnet Guild Festival on the Kilmarnock Standard website.

Marion Gore (nee Waddell), now 86, was named Corsehill Queen as part of the celebrations in 1936 when she was just 14-years-old and she caused quite a stir on her return last week.

Her father, William Bryson Waddell, was headmaster of the old Stewarton Higher Grade School and Marion was born in the schoolhouse, which was a perk of her dad’s job.

After studying biochemistry in Glasgow, Marion got a job in London where she has lived ever since.

She planned a short holiday in Scotland and wanted to visit Stewarton while she was here. A quick internet search led her to the Kilmarnock Standard website where she found a video of the 2008 Corsehill Queen’s unveiling that brought the memories flooding back.

She found contact details for the Bonnet Guild and told them she’d be heading home for a visit – but she never dreamed they would roll out the red carpet.

Marion visited Stewarton with her husband Roy, who has since sadly passed away, 15 years ago for the first time since moving away.

But last week she returned for a second time and couldn’t believe the reception she got from old friends in the Bonnet Toun.

The current Corsehill Queen, 14-year-old Laura McGarvie, was there to welcome her as was 1937 queen Margaret Ogilvie and members of the Bonnet Guild.

An overwhelmed Marion said: “The whole thing gave me great pleasure and it was just lovely to be back.

“When I phoned Robert Whiteford of the Bonnet Guild I think he nearly fell off his chair when I said who I was!

“I got in touch with him after seeing the video on your website of the Corsehill Queen crowning. It was funny because it looked exactly the way I remembered my own crowning all those years ago.

“I was quite a shy girl then and it was a big event for me, it was very special. When I was back last week there were so many people there to meet me, it was just lovely.”

Beauty obviously ran in the family as Marion’s older sister, Nana, was Corsehill Queen two years before Marion.

Marion has three children, daughters Sheila and Dilys and son Bryson.

While back in the town of her birth, Marion wanted to see the current high school, Stewarton Academy, and was given a tour.

The school where her father taught has long been knocked down, although the schoolhouse where she was born still stands. Old schoolfriends turned up to welcome her home too.

She said: “A friend joked that it was like a scene from Last of the Summer Wine.”

As well as a tour of the school, Marion was shown around the town and a friend she was travelling with was a master weaver, so they made a visit to Mackies Mill.

“It was a fantastic day and I’m very glad I made the trip,” added Marion.

To view this video click on video and pics and click on the 1st page of videos.