The Mace-Bearer Magazine - Guild of Mace-Bearers

Further Information about Key Events
On each of the three Saturdays before the
celebrations of Guild week and in accordance with the
ancient custom, a proclamation will be made
announcing that a Guild is to be held and summoning
those people who wish to attend. The regalia party
will lead the Guild Mayor and the civic party onto the
steps of the Harris Museum and gallery. After a
fanfare of trumpets 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 the
Guild of 2012.
The Guild Mayors’ Civic Procession and Divine
Service at the Minster
The Guild Mayor, his regalia party, guild officials,
councillors will lead representatives of all groups of
the City from the Guild Hall to the Minster. Following
the service the procession will return to the Guild Hall
for a Mayoral reception, another tradition of all
recorded Guilds.
The Guild Court
This traditional ceremony is at the heart of the
Preston Guild. The order of proceedings is carefully
followed Guild after Guild forming an unbroken link
with medieval Preston.
The day will start when the Guild Mayor is welcomed
to the Town Hall by distinguished guests. At 10am a
civic procession will walk 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 in the Guild
Hall awaiting the arrival of the civic party.
During the ceremony, amid much pomp and
ceremony, the Clerk of the Guild will recite the
charters associated with the ancient Guild and the
names of the Guild role will be called out so that the
Burgesses can renew their franchise and new
hereditary burgesses can be admitted. Two students
will deliver Latin orations and the Guild Recorder will
reply in Latin. The Guild Mayor will then deliver a
short speech. After a short break for refreshments a
religious service will be held.
Mayoral Reception for Overseas Visitors
Many ex-Prestonians and people whose ancestors
called Preston home return to Preston during the
Guild week. 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 in
the Guild Hall. A similar event is planned for 2012.
Formal Adjournment of the Guild Court
In comparison with the Guild Court, this is a 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. 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.
Guild Mayors’ Civic Procession to Service of
Thanksgiving at the Minster
Following a similar pattern as on the first Sunday of
Guild week, Preston will witness a 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
looking ahead to the continuing prosperity of the City
in the next 20 years.
Farwell Ceremony
Since the Guild of 1922 it has been traditional for the
Guild Mayor to address the crowds. As this event
joins with the Firework display, spirits are high as the
crowd reflects on an amazing week of magnificent
ceremony and exciting celebrations.
Processions – A Traditional Part of the Guild
Trades Procession – will reach the city as the 3rd
Proclamation comes to a close
Churches procession
Community procession
Torchlight Procession
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