The Guild for Lifelong Learning Celebrates 100 Years

The Guild for Lifelong Learning Celebrates 100 Years with Centenary Exhibition

The Guild for Lifelong Learning is marking an extraordinary milestone in 2026 as it celebrates 100 years of learning, creativity, friendship and community in Wilmslow.

Formerly known as the Wilmslow Guild until 2021, the much-loved educational charity is celebrating its centenary with a major retrospective exhibition, bringing together a century of memories, artwork, archive photography and costumes.

The Centenary Retrospective Exhibition will run from Monday 7 September to Friday 23 October 2026 at The Guild’s home on Bourne Street in Wilmslow, with admission completely free.

A century of learning and community

Founded in 1926, The Guild has played an important role in community life for generations, offering people of all ages the opportunity to learn new skills, explore new interests and build lasting friendships.

Over the years, thousands of students, tutors, volunteers and supporters have helped shape the organisation, and the exhibition will celebrate the people and stories behind its remarkable first century.

Visitors will be able to explore rarely seen archive material from across the decades, discovering how The Guild has evolved while remaining true to its founding values of education, citizenship and opportunity for all.

The exhibition will feature a wide range of artwork, historic photographs and costumes, offering a fascinating look back at 100 years of creativity and community life in Wilmslow.

Stories spanning generations

The centenary celebrations also highlight the enduring role The Guild continues to play in people’s lives.

Among those invited to the official opening is Doreen Barker, believed to be The Guild’s oldest current student. At the remarkable age of 97, Doreen still attends her weekly china painting class, proving that learning and creativity really do have no age limit.

Also attending will be Janet Douglas, Chair of The Guild’s Board of Trustees, whose connection with the organisation stretches back to infancy. Janet was brought to the then Wilmslow Guild in a carry cot during the 1940s while her parents were active members of the thriving Guild Drama Group.

Today, alongside her role as Chair of Trustees, Janet is directing rehearsals for The Guild’s forthcoming pantomime, Cinderella, continuing a family association with the organisation that spans almost eight decades.

Celebrating the past and looking to the future

Paula Riordan, Principal of The Guild for Lifelong Learning, said: “For 100 years the Guild has brought people together to learn new skills, discover new passions and build lasting friendships. This exhibition celebrates not only our history but the thousands of people whose curiosity, creativity and generosity have shaped our organisation and continue to inspire its future.

“We are proud to open our doors to everyone who has been part of our story, and to welcome new visitors who may become part of the next hundred years.”

The exhibition is open to everyone, and former students and tutors, current learners, volunteers, supporters and members of the wider community are all warmly invited to visit and be part of the celebrations.

The Guild’s programme today continues to include arts and crafts, languages, music, literature, history, drama, health and wellbeing, practical skills and cultural activities, alongside lectures, performances, exhibitions and community events.

Its philosophy remains as relevant today as it was 100 years ago: learning should be enjoyable, inclusive and enriching throughout life.