Another lovely poem sent by Mrs Edna Dolphin (nee Stephenson) who was born at Cowling in 1935.

I must'a been to Cowlin' Feast for more na' Fifty Year,
I think am reight, I must be, cos, 'av allus lived round here.
All't seats, are tain frae Th'institute an' all lined up in't rec,
Then left all upside down tha' knows, in case they all get wet.

We used to 'av as own Brass Band, and by gow, they could play,
But Bradford Pipe Band's coming ower to show us way, today.
They all go up to Middleton, to get all in a row,
The's Queen's, an' Floats, an' Dancer's, an' all sorts, I dunno.

Then, up strikes band, an ee, by gum, they're off an' on their way
Dow't past School, up Winkholme, round North Ends, an' Floodroot way
Down't Village, then ta Collinge Road, reight up, and round that way
Then back up't road to't Playing Fields where everyone 'al stay.

Then up gets ow'd Queen, she's all dun up, wi' word or two to say.
She'll put her Crown on't New Queen's head, Then her respect's she'll pay.
Then't Gala's open, all's agog, an' t' Prizes she'll present.
The's Fair an Stalls, an Guessing Games, an' all sorts in a tent.

For many a year, we 'aven't seen, the folks around we'll see,
I oft do wonder, 'Do they come to get a reight good tea'?
Then t'kids all run in't races, to see if they can win,
Then off to't Fair to spend it all, on't Speedway for a spin.

We all 'us h'ev a reight good do, an' a reight good Pigeon Shoot,
Then't bairns all pick up cartridges, it's their idea of Loot.
They'l h'v a Dance in Th'institute, or in a Tent in't rec,
An' hope at th' end at day, a reight good profit, they s' all make.

So thanks to all the Helpers,
An all the supporters too,
We hope you'll all come back Next Year,
For another Reight Good Do.


Mrs Edna M Dolphin, 28th July 1990