Preston Guild is unique in the UK. It is celebrated only once every 20 years and has a history stretching back over eight hundred years to 1179 when Henry II granted a charter which empowered Preston to hold a Guild Merchant. Originally it was held to keep the Guild Roll - a list of people allowed to trade in the town, known as burgesses - up-to-date, but by the 18th century it had become a huge celebration of civic pride - which it still is today!
Preston Guild has contributed enormously to the dynamic city that Preston is today and every 20 years, we still celebrate and invite descendents of previous Guild burgesses to re-register on the now symbolic but very prestigious register.
Find out more about our once-in-a-generation festival at www.prestonguild2012.com.
In 1952 - with the arrival of air travel - Preston Guild went global. Many ex Prestonians had emigrated to far flung places including America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
But even though they lived thousands of miles away they wanted to take part in Preston Guild, so the Guild Scrolls were born.
In every Preston Guild since - 1972 and 1992 - we have sent scrolls of friendship around the world to New York, Toronto, Johannesburg, Sydney, Auckland and many more places for ex Prestonians to sign.
Once back in the UK members of Preston Harriers Athletics club ran the scrolls of friendship back in a relay from Manchester airport, through the streets of Preston during the Guild celebrations, when many thousands of people lined the streets, cheering the scrolls arrival from overseas.
In 2012, the scrolls will once again be sent around the world but with the advent of the internet and new technology, now anyone anywhere can take part and sign their own scroll of friendship for Preston Guild.
It doesn’t matter if you live near or far, you can post your very own scroll to share with friends, family and followers of Preston Guild.
Share a simple message, photo, or video clip - it’s that easy to make history and take part. Don’t miss out as you’ll have to wait 20 years for the next one!
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