Civic and traditional events for 2012
10 days of activity to celebrate 10 years as a city
Throughout its long history the Preston Guild has always been focussed on Guild week, even though celebrations have taken place before and after, and 2012 will be no exception. The timing of Guild week has been the same since 1562 - the Guild Court must be opened on the Monday after the feast of the decollation of St John the Baptist (29 August).The civic events are our link with the rich and unique history of Preston Guild and all those people who have celebrated it before us. We hope everyone will enjoy the colour and spectacle of England’s greatest carnival.
As the Guild is still some time in the future, some dates, timings and arrangements are likely to change and more events will be added to the celebrations. This includes balls and dances which have been a Guild tradition going back centuries. The number, style and venues of balls for 2012 have still to be decided but we hope to offer something for everyone.
Don’t forget, these are just the traditional Civic and Ceremonial events – lots more will be happening all over the City!
Traditional Guild Week events at a glance
| Saturday 18 August |
First proclamation |
| Saturday 25 August |
Second proclamation |
| Saturday 1 September |
Third and final proclamation |
| Sunday 2 September |
Guild Mayor’s civic procession and Divine Service at the Minster |
| Monday 3 September |
The Guild Court and Churches procession |
| Tuesday 4 September |
Mayoral reception for Overseas Visitors |
| Wednesday 5 September |
Trades Procession |
| Thursday 6 September |
Community procession |
| Saturday 8 September |
Adjournment of the Guild Court, Torchlight procession, Grand firework display and Farewell ceremony |
| Sunday 9 September |
Guild Mayor’s Civic procession to service of thanksgiving at the Minster |
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What do these events involve?
The Proclamation
Saturday 18 August – First proclamation
Saturday 25 August – Second proclamation
Saturday 1 September – Third and final proclamation
On each of the three Saturdays before the celebrations of Guild week crowds will pack into the Market Square to join in a tradition which gives them a direct link with medieval Preston. In accordance with ancient custom a proclamation will be made announcing that a Guild is to be held and summoning all those who wish to attend.
The regalia party, carrying the superb civic regalia of the ancient borough of Preston, will lead the Guild Mayor, dressed in full ceremonial robes, and the civic party, onto the steps of the Harris Museum and Art Gallery.
After a fanfare of trumpets and at 12 noon precisely there will be a call for silence with “Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!” so that the Clerk of the Guild can read the proclamation. The Guild Mayor then addresses the crowd, bringing the focus back to Guild of 2012.
Before and after the pomp and ceremony, the crowd will be entertained with music, street theatre and colourful spectacle. Each proclamation event will be bigger than the last, to build excitement for the Guild itself.
The Guild Mayor’s Civic Procession and Divine Service at the Minster
Sunday 2 September
This first procession of Guild week is another link with ancient custom. Crowds will watch – or join in - the magnificent procession as it moves from the Guild Hall to the Minster. A band will lead the Guild Mayor, his regalia party, Guild officials and his invited guests, bringing together representatives of the services, schools and youth groups of the City. The service will set the scene for the celebrations to come. After the service the procession will return to the Guild Hall for a Mayoral reception, another tradition of all recorded Guilds.
The Guild Court
Monday 3 September
This traditional ceremony is the heart of Preston Guild. The order of proceedings is carefully followed Guild after Guild forming an unbroken link with Preston of the Middle Ages. The pageantry, splendour and colour makes the occasion one of drama and magnificence.
The day starts early with the Guild Mayor and Mayoress welcomed to the Town Hall by distinguished guests. At 10am a magnificent civic procession walks from the Town Hall to the Guild Hall, taking the long way round so that the assembled crowds can line the route and witness the start of this historic event. Meanwhile the burgesses and their guests will be taking their seats at the Guild Hall, awaiting the arrival of the civic party.
During the ceremony, amid much pomp and ceremony, the Clerk of the Guild recites the charters associated with the ancient Guild and the names on the Guild roll are called so that burgesses can renew their franchise and new hereditary burgesses can be admitted. Two students deliver Latin orations and the Guild Recorder replies in Latin. The Guild Mayor will then deliver a short speech to the packed hall.
After a short break for refreshments a religious service will be held.
For the first Guild of the 21st century, we hope to relay the Guild court on a big screen to allow as many people as possible to witness this splendid ceremony.
Churches procession
Monday 3 September
This will be the first mass participation procession of Guild week when the churches of Preston and the surrounding district come together to process from Moor Park to and through the city centre streets. If previous Guilds are anything to go by, thousands will line the route to witness a traditional Guild event.
Mayoral reception for Overseas Visitors
Tuesday 4 September
Many ex-Prestonians, and people whose ancestors called Preston home, return to Preston during the Guild week. They will receive a warm Lancashire welcome from the people of Preston.
A large number of visitors are from overseas and since the 1952 Guild, the Mayor has held a reception to welcome them and their hosts. In 1992 around 1,700 people enjoyed refreshments, entertainment, speeches and nostalgia at this event. The scrolls of friendship were displayed, souvenirs purchased and visitors signed the Overseas Visitors book. A similar informal and fun event is planned for 2012. For the first time we will use the internet to link in with messages from all over the world on the ‘virtual scroll’.
Trades procession
Wednesday 5 September
Although much has changed, the trades procession is the direct descendant of the first processions of traders, craftsmen and merchants going back to at least 1762 (the earliest documentary evidence). The decorated floats and walkers will represent the industries, businesses and public services of the City. Years of planning and months of preparation will culminate in one of the highlights of Guild week.
Community procession
Thursday 6 September
A new innovation in 1992, the Community Procession is a great opportunity for the Community as a whole to participate in the Guild celebrations. Through imaginatively decorated floats and walkers in elaborate costumes and with plenty of lively music, the people of Preston will display pride in their school, voluntary groups, ethnic community groups, charity, sports clubs – the list is endless!
Formal adjournment of the Guild Court
Saturday 8 September
In comparison to the Guild court, this is shorter, but no less magnificent, civic ceremony, with no procession before it. It is at this court that new burgesses are admitted at the gift of the Guild Mayor. These are traditionally people who have been of service to the Guild and to Preston, such as past Mayors and, in 1992, Tom Finney. In 2012 this tradition will be widened to allow more people, nominated by the community, to become burgesses. After the new burgesses are admitted the court is adjourned for another 20 years - a poignant moment. The Guild Mayor then gives a speech, thanking the many people involved and giving a summary of the memories and spirit of the week’s celebrations.
Torchlight Procession
Saturday 8th Septemeber
In 1882 hundreds of masked and costumed people wound their way through the streets, their route illuminated by flaming torches and a new Guild tradition was born. In 1992 it drew the biggest crowds of the week, who were richly rewarded with a spectacular moving show of music, colour, drama and fun. The procession of 2012 will surely be another amazing, never-to -be -forgotten experience.
Grand firework display
Saturday 8th September
The excitement of the Torchlight Procession will culminate in a spectacular firework display witnessed by thousands of Prestonians and their guests.
Farewell ceremony
Saturday 8th September
Since the Guild of 1922 it has been traditional for the Guild Mayor to address the crowds gathered in the Market Square at midnight. As this event follows the Torchlight Procession and the Firework Display, spirits are high as the crowd sings ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and reflect on an amazing week of magnificent ceremony and exciting celebrations.
Guild Mayor’s Civic procession to Service of Thanksgiving at the Minster
Sunday 9th September
Following a similar pattern as on the first Sunday of Guild week, Preston will witness the last procession of the Guild as the civic party make their way once more from the Guild Hall to the Minster. The service this time is one of thanksgiving for the week past and no doubt looking ahead to the continuing prosperity of the City in the next 20 years.