Stewarton's Bonnet Guild have revealed the Corsehill Queen and her court for their 90th gala.

The Corsehill Queen Elect is Charlotte Brown and this year’s First Courtier will be Ruaridh Hunter.

This year’s Bonnet Guild festival week will run from Saturday, June 10 to Sunday, June 18.

The highlight of the week, the crowning of the Corsehill Queen, will take place on Gala Day, Saturday, June 17 in Avenue Square, Stewarton. In the event of wet weather, the crowning will be moved indoors to the Area Centre, just off Avenue Square. 

The full royal court, all chosen from second year pupils by Stewarton Academy (with the exception of the two Pages and Queen’s Highlander who are chosen by the local primary schools) is as follows

Corsehill Queen Elect Charlotte Brown, 1st Maid Brogan Baird, 2nd Maid Ruby MacLeod, Maids: Haylie Ferguson, Ava Bicket, Hannah Colvin and Charlotte Gebbie. First Courtier Ruaridh Hunter, 2nd Courtier Sam Cuthbert, Herald Sunny Green, Sword Bearer Gregor Chalmers, Crown Bearer Jamie Logie, Sceptre Bearer Daniel Gibson, Queen’s Highlander Dylan Kelly, Pages – Ben Higgins and Rory Fleming.

Irvine Times: The Royal Court, minus 4th Maid Ava Bicket who was unavailable

Patrick McFadden, president of Stewarton Bonnet Guild, said: “This year marks the 90th anniversary of Bonnet Guild week and we are looking forward to the forthcoming festivities week very much.

"Preparations are well underway and celebrations will commence with traditional bunting being hung along the main streets of Stewarton at the beginning of the week, and will finish with the parade to the war memorial and divine service on Sunday, June 18. 

"The nine decades of the Bonnet Guild theme for the decorated shop window displays and float parade on Saturday, June 17, is sure to be one of the most colourful and anticipated parts of the week and we are hoping for record participation in this our 90th year.”

The eagerly anticipated festival returns with a week of the usual fun, games and activities planned, for all ages to enjoy and this year will also include a specially curated 90th anniversary pop up exhibition in St Columba’s Church Hall.

Entry is free, with the exhibition running from June 10 to 17, 10am-noon and 2-4pm most weekdays, and 2-4pm at weekend, with tea and coffee available.

You’ll be able to enjoy a display of photos of Stewarton from over the years, past gala weeks and crowning ceremonies, as well as have a look at videos of locals recalling memories and some historical Bonnet Guild regalia.

Anyone with any artefacts, photos, memories or memorabilia to share should email l.k.bell@btinternet.com or Catherine_elliot1@sky.com or pick up a memory card from The Cup and Saucer or The Coffee Pot. All contributions welcome.

For the full exhibition opening hours and programme of all Bonnet Guild week event details please see Bonnet Guild Souvenir Programme - on door to door sale from last Friday  and then in various outlets around the town including Sainsbury’s from June 2-4.

Despite very best efforts, the Bonnet Guild cannot offer door to door contactless payments, so please save up your £2.50 cash to be able to buy a programme and support your Bonnet Guild programme sellers.

The Bonnet Guild festival began in 1933 and was originally created by local businessmen in Stewarton to provide a summer gala day for local families.

Today, it is a week-long community festival, run by volunteer members of the Bonnet Guild – a non-profit organisation. All proceeds raised from this year’s festival will go towards ensuring the local festival will return next year for the whole community to enjoy once again.

Anyone interested in helping, sponsoring, supporting or donating to this year’s festival should contact President Patrick McFadden via email: info@stewartonbonnetguild.org