MEMORIES OF PRESTON GUILD PART lll - 1992

This was the year when, for the first time, churches from all Christian denominations walked together. Fulwood Methodist Church member Tony Owens was Town Clerk on this occasion. As you may well imagine, he had a great many responsibilities to cope with in addition to reading out the three Proclamations.

"Do you remember getting your orange T-shirt or blue sweatshirt to wear? Chris, Benny Beardsworth, John Kirkham, Ron Black and Brian Cooper were some of those who carried the banner. We’d all had to practise with the banner, walking up and down Victoria Road. I remember being on a guide rope and holding tight as the wind blew at the top of Corporation Street. And who remembers having to run back to Moor Lane – where the minibus was parked – with the banner, to try to save it from getting too wet?

Also, as a teacher, I recall going back to school in August, to prepare the children for the schools’ pageant on Avenham Park – then being off school for the whole of Guild Week." (Sue Penrith)

"On the evening before the procession our float ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ was built onto the lorry in the accountancy firm’s car park opposite church. To reduce the risk of vandalism a few of us, including Ray Armstrong, John Butterworth and myself, did two hour watches from our cars throughout the night. The signage along the sides was painted by Phil Leary and myself, and we also constructed the lion and the dragon. Prior to the procession the floats were lined up along what was to become Tom Benson Way – which, at that time, had not been opened to traffic.

I remember a good concert given by Graham Kendrick on Avenham Park – and it poured with rain throughout!" (Barry Crossley)

"Although I’d just retired, I was asked to train a choir from Grimsargh C of E Primary School – and again the choirs were recorded, this time at All Hallows High School, Penwortham. Along with other retired teachers I was asked to act as a steward at the pageant itself and for the rehearsals. This was to save schools having to pay for supply teachers to cover for others who would have had to be released to do the job. Yes, cut-backs even in 1992!

Participants were taken by bus to and from the park, almost every week throughout the summer term, so practices could take place. Organizing each school in the Miller Park rose garden ready to take part in their particular section of the pageant on the neighbouring Avenham Park was quite phenomenal. Can you imagine the cost of the transport and manpower? I’m told that is why there will be no Schools’ Pageant on the park in 2012.

It was a very wet week for the Guild: the children of St Andrew’s School were dressed as houses, to represent the homes of cotton workers in the streets near the factories. In one downpour the paper houses became absolutely sodden and had to be carefully dried out on the floor of the school hall, ready for the next day’s performance. The houses dried out, but the damp ruined the parquet floor!" (Enid Singleton)

"I remember the Torchlight Procession being assembled on a wasteland between Adelphi Street and Moor Lane, where street after street of terraced housing had been cleared and the area was awaiting redevelopment. The event didn’t seem to have the same ‘zing’ about it as 20 years previously, and certainly there were not nearly so many spectators. Near us in the procession was an ingenious contraption on wheels, with people underneath it. They were waving false legs through holes in the top, mimicking a synchronised swimming display. Well rehearsed and totally hilarious!" (Roy Smith)

"I took part in an exercise display at Moor Park with the Women’s League of Health & Beauty: it poured with rain, we got wet through and no one watched!" (Linda Butterworth)

"I was part of the Schools’ Pageant on Avenham Park, working with the pupils of Moorfield School. We were the workmen building the Ring Road. Rather muddy under-foot, but at least we kept dry as our costumes included anoraks!" (Veronica Frost)

"I too was part of the Schools’ Pageant, with the Junior pupils of Lea School. One large group had to learn to dance the minuet, another group were lawyers. We had to make about 30 lawyers’ wigs out of cotton wool. I remember the rain – all the children had ponchos made from giant-size Bennett’s Frozen Foods bags! The organisation of buses and practices for thousands of us was a miracle. I believe this was organised by Brian Berry. (Kay Jackson)

"Times change; people’s expectations change; the format of the Guild changes – but Preston Guild goes on. Enjoy the 2012 Preston Guild!" (Kay Speight)

"I wonder what memories will be remembered and reported in twenty years time? (Enid Singleton)

By the time you read all this, the 2012 Guild will be fast approaching!! (Roy Smith)