Quakers celebrate in Preston

Friends take part in the Preston Guild Community Procession

Every twenty years the city of Preston bursts into a big celebration for the week of the famous Preston Guild. This year local Quakers were part of the fun.

The celebration began in the Middle Ages as a Guild Court to approve burgesses, who were then allowed to trade in the town, and has continued since then. It is the only one of its kind remaining in the country.

A major part of the celebrations is the four processions: Trade, Church, Community and Torchlight. Preston Quakers joined in the Community Procession under the Preston Faith Forum banner, making a group and proudly wearing their Faith Forum sashes and distinctive Quaker ‘Q’ identification.

This year was one of the largest processions ever – with over 8,000 people walking and some 250,000 spectators.

The phrase ‘every Preston Guild’ ranks alongside ‘once in a blue moon’ as a description of something that does not happen very often. The next procession will be in September 2032.

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