What is Preston Guild?

Preston Guild is an historic celebration dating back to the 12th Century. It’s the only Guild still celebrated in the UK, so it’s a unique national event that only happens every 20 years. As a result, the 2012 celebration will be the first Guild since Preston was granted city status by the Queen in 2002.

King Henry II granted Preston the right to have a Guild Merchant in 1179, when he gave the town its first royal charter. The Guild was an organisation of traders, craftsmen and merchants that had a monopoly of local trade, meaning that only its members could carry on a craft or business. These restrictions were abolished in 1790, but the Guild Merchant survived because the celebrations had developed over time into a series of important and prestigious business or social occasions.

Traditionally the traders and craftsmen held processions to demonstrate the power of the Guild. They wore colourful costumes and carried banners and emblems of their trades, and by the late 18th century these displays had become increasingly elaborate with decorated platforms starting to appear. The platforms were the predecessors of the floats which characterise the processions held as part of the modern Guild celebrations.

Over the years, the Guild has played an important role in recognising the development of Preston as a thriving Lancashire town. In the 19th Century, the cotton industry was the dominant trade and this led to the companies in this sector having their own procession. The 20th Century saw the rise of engineering in Preston - particularly aircraft manufacture – and later Guilds, in 1972 and 1992, have also included nuclear, mail order, electronics and service industries; reflecting the recent importance of other sectors in the town.
The changing local economy means that each Guild has its own identity, but reflects a heritage that goes back over 800 years. The 2012 Guild is the first of the 21st Century and, like its predecessors, it will reflect the importance of the City of Preston to Lancashire, the NW Region and nationally.

Preston Guild 2012 - once every 20 years!

"Once in a Preston Guild" is a saying understood to mean ‘very occasionally’ by Lancastrians. The Guild celebrations mark the granting of the 1179 Guild Merchant charter (which gave Preston the desirable status of a market town) and were held on an irregular basis until 1542, when it was decreed that subsequent Guilds would be every 20 years.

This tradition has continued down the centuries and we look forward to inviting many visitors in 2012 to celebrate Preston's past, present and future, through a year-long programme of events and festivals, encompassing the City's multicultural nature and traditions.

Throughout the year a programme of arts, culture, sporting and community events is planned.  These will include street parties, processions, proclamations, concerts & balls and activities connected to Preston's award of European City of Sport.  The Guild City Festival, between 31st August and 9th September, is the focal point and will incorporate the following activities over a 10 day period:

• Trade, church, community and torchlight processions
• Proms in the Park
• Music festival
• Firework finale
• and many more fantastic events.

For full details visit www.prestonguild2012.com or contact us