The wait is over as Poets’ Corner in Kilmarnock is finally unveiled. The site at the corner of John Dickie Street and Strand Street in Kilmarnock has been under wraps for the past few weeks, under the watchful eye of the Robert Burns mural, while construction took place.
And on Saturday a celebratory event took place, timed perfectly to coincide with the first day of the First Edition Festival. East Ayrshire Provost, Claire Leitch officially welcomed guests to the headquarters of the Robert Burns World Federation, before leading them outside to Poets’ Corner, accompanied by the sound of pipes and drums.
Councillor Jim Todd facilitated proceedings at the poetry event and he invited Jim Thomson, President of the Howff Burns Club and Sam McCissock from the Kilmarnock Burns Club No.0 to officially unveil the new bench.
The new public space, located immediately below the much admired mural, includes the installation of an ornamental bench with an ironwork inscription featuring a verse of Burns’ famous poem “The Ordination”, which celebrates the people of Kilmarnock, and the area is completed with new paving and floral planters.
Guest and onlookers were then treated to a series of live poetry recitals from a few ‘well-kent’ faces. Local poet Rab Walker recited a few verses from ‘Tae a Mouse’; Lauren Dutthorn from EACHA recited a poem written by one of her clients ‘Dinnae Judge’; Frank Beattie recited one of his own works,‘Dead’; Robert Neil also recited one of his own poems ‘In Praise of Ayrshire’, and Scott McCarroll from Centrestage recited his poem 'Water of Life'.
Provost Claire Leitch said:
“This is a fantastic addition to our town centre and it’s so good to see this project coming to fruition. It offers such an intimate event space for poets, musicians and performers alike - and as we’ve seen today, there’s clearly a huge amount of literary talent in East Ayrshire just waiting to be discovered. Poets’ Corner provides the perfect setting for poets to gather and celebrate poetry in all its forms.”
To mark the completion of the Poet’s Corner project, a ‘Post a Poem’ competition has been launched in partnership with Ayrshire 360. Inspiring poets of all ages are invited to submit entries The competition is sponsored by local businesses and will run until January 2027, with a different theme and winner being selected each month.
engagementea.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/poets-corner.
The Poets’ Corner project is part of the overall Kilmarnock vision, one of many projects in the pipeline to enhance the townscape, natural and built environment to boost wellbeing, prosperity and opportunities for everyone who lives and works in the town.
The works to create Poets’ Corner were undertaken by DM Homeshield and BPS and the planting will be maintained by Greener Communities with assistance from EACHA’s gardening group. The site will be monitored by CCTV cameras located at the entrance of Sandbed Street.