How Can You Help Shape Preston’s Future Creative And Cultural Life?
Jan, 24 2020
~Every twenty years a special event takes place in the heart of Preston City Centre. It’s a tradition that began back in 1179 when Henry II granted the market town its first royal charter and established a Guild Merchant. 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.
From time to time the membership list was reviewed 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. Since 1542, The Preston Guild has been occurring every two decades.
Following the success of the last Guild in 2012, organisers are planning ahead for the 2032 celebrations.
Consultations are already underway and will be published in Spring 2020. This is being delivered by the Preston Cultural Framework Board, commissioned by Preston City Council, and supported by The Brew Time Collective, a new network of independent creative and cultural practitioners in Preston.
The document, known as the 12 Year Cultural Strategy, will act as a guide to the shared visions, aims and actions that artists, communities and organisations can work towards immediately.
A spokesperson for The Brew Time Collective expressed these words of optimism in light of the concept,
“The idea of the project is to celebrate talent in the city, identify areas for improvement, increase good communication and collaboration, and raise Preston’s profile regionally, nationally, and internationally – all which could lead to future opportunities, bigger audiences, and a higher quality of events to enjoy.”
In addition, Derri Burdon, Interim Chair of the Cultural Framework Board and CEO of Curious Minds shares these thoughts on the joy at being asked to collaborate with the project yet keeping confidential in relation to the magic of the event,
“The Cultural Framework Board is delighted to be working with Preston’s independent creative community to shape an ambitious 12-year cultural strategy for the city. Conversations so far indicate that something special is most definitely brewing.
What do you want Preston’s creative and cultural life to be like in 2032?
Allow Derri to speak to the heart of the city in these closing words,
“Everyone involved is determined to create a strategic plan that speaks directly to the people of Preston and their incredible creative history.
As we work towards Preston Guild 2032, the aim is to position the city as a major player in the cultural and creative sectors, regionally, nationally and globally.”
- How can you help shape Preston’s future creative and cultural life ?
- Get involved with Preston Guild 2032
^Alex Ashworth
