miss b's quote

'I haven't been everywhere yet but it's on my list' Susan Sontag

Thursday 27 September 2012

miss b loves.............. a week of celebrations


Earlier this month, we enjoyed a week of celebrations in my home town, Preston in the North of England. There really was something for everyone ...a different event every day....from colourful processions, live music (including Katherine Jenkins and José Carreras) to artistic hairdressing and fireworks... but it only happens once every twenty years!

The phrase 'Once every Preston Guild' is often used (especially in this part of England) to mean very rarely. Preston was granted the right to hold a Guild Merchant** by King Henry II in 1179.



So ...a few photos of the highlights of our special festival....

The week began with the Trades Procession and my favourite was definitely the giant armchair with Alice in Wonderland from Plumbs, a family business which makes furniture covers.



St George's Shopping Centre's giant 
trolley

and there was even a reminder about the next Preston Guild.....



The Church Procession was especially colourful...........





and the Community Procession reflected a multi-cultural city......



Thousands lined the streets for the final Torchlight Procession and one of my favourites was Baby Beat, a local charity...


There was a Vintage Guild Weekend with various stalls......


and Preston College fashion students had made amazing dresses inspired by designs from the past....from wallpaper!..........



Many events were held outdoors in the park and one of the highlights of the week for me was watching the artistic hairdressing displays by Osadia, a Spanish touring company, who create wonderful hair sculptures on volunteers from the audience (but I wasn't brave enough!!!)


A hairdresser at work



They were happy to pose for photos.....


Toy cars

Dinosaurs

A bird creation
The park looked stunning with gorgeous floral displays including this one created to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee...a crown sitting on a cushion of flowers in the form of the Union Flag....



The grand finale was a fantastic firework display to the sound of rhythmic drumbeats....... and that's about it for another twenty years..... 




**The Guild was an organisation of traders, craftsmen and merchants and only Guild members could trade in the town. Every twenty years membership was updated until 1790 when there was freedom of trade. Later, the Guilds became festivals for all citizens not just the tradespeople. 

The Preston Guild is the only one still celebrated in the UK and many Prestonians from around the world return to join in the fun with family and friends. 


49 comments:

  1. Looks so much fun. Thank you for sharing this fun event in your hometown. Have a good day.

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  2. I love learning about other costums and cultures!

    http://cravingforbarneys.com

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  3. And I understand them! How not to return to participate in these traditional festivities and to have fun with the whole town...at least once a year!

    Big hugs, sweetie!

    Inés
    SimplyClassyMe.blogspot.com

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  4. Wow, looks like an amazing time!

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  5. Very interesting post, great pictures!

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  6. Wow, since it only takes place every twenty years it is a very special event. I will make a mental note 2032...

    LUXESSED

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  7. Once every 20 years??n They should do it every year - it looks fab!! Glad you got to enjoy it
    Stacy

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  8. Wow looks like a lot of fun.


    http://sarafashionocean.blogspot.com

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  9. Bonjour Miss b. Thank you for stopping by chez moi yesterday :-) This looks like a fun street festival. I love attending local events too! I found the idea of the "hair sculptures" particularly interesting, although, come to think of it, you probably want to be sober when you start talking to the artist. Can you imagine waking up with those "creations" on your head in the morning, and not remembering what happened!? :-) Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

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    Replies
    1. I found the hair sculptures fascinating - I wonder how long it would take to take off the bits and pieces etc.

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  10. This looks so cool! What an amazing time it must have been!
    xo,
    nancy

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  11. So cool!
    Have a great week!
    http://robertascoolestplaces.blogspot.com

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  12. How fun! My favorites are the huge chair and cart! Sounds like a fabulous festival! Thanks for stopping by to see me this week, sweet. Have a wonderful upcoming weekend! ~xoSandy

    SANDY M Illustration
    http://oohlafroufrou.blogspot.com

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  13. How fun!!! I love the Alice in Wonderland chair. The girls would loved to have seen the multi-cultural city. I think that's why they travel so much..so they can see different cultures and traditions. The hairstyles are fantastic. You are always going to wonderful events, my friend, and I enjoy visiting and seeing all of them. It's like I am there myself.
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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  14. Wow, what a treat! Why is it not more often? XOL

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  15. It looks wonderful! Such a shame that it's only done every 20 years! Thanks for stopping by my blog yesterday and commenting, I am your newest follower!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, a long time to wait for the next one! Thank you for deciding to follow.

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  16. Great pics!!! Amazing!! :)


    NEW POST ON MY BLOG

    Babi
    www.voguebuster.net

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  17. What a shame all that fun only comes around every 20 years!

    Abbey x

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  18. What fun! a great tour - I love to see how creative England has become :)) so happy to find your blog and excited to follow!
    Mary x

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for this lovely comment . I'm happy to see that you are following!

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  19. Great pics Miss B ! Looks like lots of fun. I like their style - a whole week of celebrations.

    Joanne

    http://www.balletpumpsandroses.com

    x

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  20. What a wonderful street festival. It's nice to see the community getting together :) I think it builds pride in addition to supporting local business. The hair dresser is my favorite! Wow! How long did it take to create those designs?!!

    Enjoyed your pictures :)

    xx
    leslie

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    1. Hi Lesley. It definitely brought the community together and there was such a great atmosphere. Surprisingly, it only took about ten to fifteen minutes to do each hairstyle.

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  21. wow that's amazing! great photos!
    we would love you to visit our blog and if you like it please feel free to follow us via GFC and bloglovin!
    http://www.lepechedevenus.blogspot.com/
    xoxo. A

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  22. Just looks amazing lucky you .

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  23. Now girl you KNOW you wanted to get your HAIR done! HAHAHAHAHA LOL I'm about to fall out of my computer chair right now. Don't get me wrong, it is ULTRA FABULOUS the hair designs they created but I would've been rolling on the floor if you went ahead and did it! I would've given you a SPECIAL blog certificate. Don't worry, I wouldn't have been brave either. This is MAGICAL! WOW!!! Every 20 years! I love the Alice in Wonderland on that big chair (cards walking in the background), the grocery shopping cart (i mean trolley) and how beautiful are those women from india with their garb and parasols. BEAUTIFUL POST! I love your blog because you do LOTS of local stuff! I love seeing new and different things. Keep up the great work!!! Have an amazing weekend and a macaron or two my friend! :)
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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    1. Thanks, Kim! What a fantastic comment - that's so kind of you. I value your opinion and I'm delighted that you love my blog.

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  24. Beautiful pictures, I had never heard of these celebrations. Loving the Alice in Wonderland :)

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  25. i love it when the whole town is immersed in a state of celebration

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  26. What a colourful and fun event. I love the huge chair with Alice on it. Its good to celebrate the locality and community like this.

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  27. Hello Miss B! Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog.

    I would love to have experienced this rare festival! Thanks for taking me there through your pictures!

    Have a great month! :)

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  28. Looks like a really fun time - and I´m glad you enjoyed the raspberry squares! :-)

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  29. Hello dear, like this?
    I want to wish you a great week.
    Congratulations on your blog, I like it a lot.
    is very beautiful.When you have time come and visit my blog too

    http://couturetrend.blogspot.it/

    I'm on facebook too, with a page refreshed all day.

    http://www.facebook.com/couturetrend1

    I hope your visit, Kisses

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  30. Hi sweet! Wanted to stop by and say thank you for your lovely comment on the blog this week ... and to wish you a fabulous first week of October! xoxo ~Sandy

    SANDY M Illustration
    http://oohlafroufrou.blogspot.com

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  31. Wish this was every year - and then I the rest of the world would make their way to Preston - what a cool parade!

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  32. Hello! i like your blog, im following you now, if you like my blog, follow me back please! XoXo

    www.shoesandbasics.com

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  33. This is quite a special event, especially with the hair sculptures and fun colours of face art! Thanks for sharing this with us with a bit of Preston Guild history as well. I always love Alice in Wonderland inspired elements. -xx /Madison

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  34. That looks like such a great event! It's a shame it only happens once every 20 years!

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  35. What a fun event, but why so rare! Those are some serious hair-do's, it would be fun to get such a hair do : ) And I would get that purple porcelain tea set : )

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  36. many thanks for the comment MISS B!
    much love

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  37. I made the red and pink wallpaper dress, The vintage guild weekend was an amazing experience. Thankyou for admiring my dress. :)
    Lindsey Jayne Moss

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    1. Thank you for getting in touch. I remember being fascinated to see that the beautiful dress was made of wallpaper. You are so creative and talented!

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Thank you for taking the time to write a comment on my blog. I really do appreciate it. miss b

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