Preston guild what is it

The purpose was to licence local traders, craftsmen and merchants. Only Guild members, or Burgesses as they were known, were allowed to operate in the town. Throughout the year a wide range of festivities and celebrations are attended by thousands of people from the UK and beyond. Folk dancers float in Preston Guild procession. Every several years or so the Guild Merchants reviewed the membership list to ensure it was up to date.

Burgesses attended a public court and swore loyalty to the Mayor and the Guild Merchant. If proved eligible, he would be granted renewed membership for the usual fee. These gatherings were infrequent and it was later decided they were only needed once in a generation.

So, from , the Guild was scheduled at every 20 years. Preston Guild emblem — photo by Martin Evans. Over the centuries, the nature of the celebration has changed. Only members of the Guild could carry out a craft or business and newcomers could only trade with permission from the Guild. Anyone who claimed to be a member of the Guild had to swear loyalty to the Mayor and the Guild Merchant in a public court.

Their credentials were then checked and if they were eligible, and agreed to pay a small fee, they would be admitted or re-admitted as a burgess a member of the Guild Merchant. Gatherings for renewing membership were infrequent and it was soon accepted that they were only required once in a generation. As a result, from , Preston Guild took place every 20 years. The rarity of the event, and the fact that large numbers of people congregated in Preston for the occasion, made the Guild a special opportunity for feasting, processions and great social gatherings.

In there was freedom of trade in the town, this abolished the need for a Guild and rights of burgesses. However, the people continued to celebrate the Guild as its festivities had developed into prestigious social occasions, which continue to flourish today. The Guild has always drawn large crowds of visitors to witness the processions and official events. In between these events, wealthier visitors went to concerts and plays or watched horseracing on, what is now, Moor Park.

Second Guild proclamation made. Preston Guild celebrations start. Preston Guild Preston City Council. The Torchlight procession dates back to Published 7 September