Preston Guild Notes
for more details see Guild Website
www.preston.gov.uk/yourservices/culture--parks-and-events/guild-2012

Cllr.Bill Shannon 19th Jauary Wrote:

Dear All

I attended the first of two meetings held today to give potential participants information about planning the Guild Processions. I know others may have attended the second meeting, and Anne M was at this one, but as I had made a few notes, I thought I would share them with you all.

The first thing we need to think about is SCALE - whether we are going for a walking procession or a flat-bed truck, we need HEIGHT and COLOUR, so that we can be seen from the back of the crowd. This means tall banners and/or balloons, puppets, lanterns etc (not too tall, though - maximum height 4.5metres!). We should also think about more than just costumes - and the organiser showed how much can be achieved with papier mache! She pointed out that although the most important thing is for the participants to enjoy themselves, we need to think about how it all is going to look to the audience. We also need to think in terms of the weather - will our costumes etc stand up to the rain. One nice idea was for everyone to have appropriately painted umbrellas, to be used if required.

As regards a theme, there are six Guild themes, and it is likely that there will be a recommended theme for the Community procession - but we don't have to follow it. The parade organisers (Walk the Plank) will be organising workshops on design and other matters, and are also arranging a 'trade fair' of suppliers in the Guild Hall on Feb 29. This will involve materials suppliers etc. They will also recommend professional artists, designers etc if we can afford them. They will also be organising groups of 10-12 people to discuss issues in common - eg everyone using flat bed wagons will be invited to meet in a set of groups.

They were reassuring about Health and Safety. The original guidelines are being withdrawn as too prescriptive. Common sense should prevail, but they will inspect floats etc to make sure they are safe before setting off. Each group should have public liability insurance - if we haven't, they can arrange it. It was said that children under 5 should not participate.

They were not definite about this, but it looks like there will be a prohibition on making collections or asking for donations from the crowds

Note that Gateway will be having a big entry, including representatives from all ten of their Local Areas - ie including Ingol

Hope this is of use


Bill Shannon

Ann Miller 20th January Wrote


Thanks, Bill, You're ahead of me! I agree with all you've written, and will add a few comments of my own .......

Walk The Plank, the processions organisers have very high credentials. They were involved in a major parade launching Liverpool's City of Culture, and were responsible for the torchlight section of the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony when the Games were held in Manchester. They are planning surgeries, workshops and information sessions, plus have advice on sources for things like fabrics for costumes, designs, and how to use everyday objects to good advantage etc. Their comment was that if you are taking part in a procession it should "make you look and feel differently to how you usually do".

Anyone seeking inspiration should go and watch the Manchester Parade on June 10th. It's in its third year and Walk the Plank are the advisors to that, too. There are pics and (I think) a video clip on heir web site.

Many organisations will already have insurance cover which extends to external venues, but for those who don't, Walk the Plank are negotiating with their own insurers, who are obviously used to their type of events, to produce an opt-in cover for a reasonable cost.

A very valuable meeting. Some comments, following on from that .......

I feel it is vital that the event Denise is co-ordinating for the end of January, begining of February, is publicised as widely as possible as the whole idea is to include (not exclude) as many people as possible in the Guild. If a lot of people come, perhaps a smaller, working committee could be formed from the people there, of people willing to "roll their sleeves up". The same willing people who play an active part in the community cannot possibly do this on their and we need to progress as quickly as possibly. Perhaps sub groups could then be formed (later or from that meeting?), for practical things like float design, painting, and costumes design and making, so that work can be started as soon as a theme is decided.

I would suggest putting notices in shops, churches, possibly Ingol Social Club, perhaps contact clubs which use St Margaret's, the Nursery, Igvra, parents through schools newsletters, plus everyone who was at that initial meeting (not all on thelast email, Tom), spreading the word as far as possible to anyone who might wish to be part of a group to put together ideas and start actioning things for the Guild Community Procession. We need people with membership lists or organisations to spread the word, and to get the word to as many individuals as possible. If we don't get talented people from within the community involved, and quickly, it won't happen.
I would suggest this first meeting should be just for members of the Ingol and Tanterton community so that we can decide
a) whether to go ahead,
b) do we have enough willing people with the talents?
c) if yes to the above, then we could start to throw around some theme ideas.

I feel it would, perhaps, be unnecessary (and inappropriate?) for Brenda to be there at that first meeting. Let the Community get itself organised, then call on her expertise if needed at a later date. As she says, she can only offer help on the Guild creative team for the procession, and we are a long way from that at present. She is very busy and does not need to sit through our initial discussions.

Phew! It's going to be a helter-skelter!

Ann Miller