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The 2024 Durham Miners Gala will mark the 40^th anniversary of the Miners Strike, organisers have said. The Durham Miners Association (DMA) has also announced its line up of platform speakers for the 138^th Big Meeting.

The year-long strike began in March 1984 as miners and their families across the country fought to preserve their jobs, their industry and their communities. Within a decade of the end of the strike, every mine on the Durham coalfield had been closed, having a devastating economic and social impact on the region.

All those speaking at the Gala, which takes place Saturday 13 July had direct involvement in the Miners Strike or are organsing in defence of workers today.

They include union general secretaries Christina McAnea, Matt Wrack and Mick Whelan, plus Ian Lavery, a former miner and president of the NUM, DMA Secretary Alan Mardghum, and Heather Wood from Easington, who played a leading role in the women’s support groups throughout and beyond the strike.

The theme of ‘Solidarity Forever’ will run through the Gala, with the DMA highlighting the solidarity that sustained the strike and has kept the Gala going in the decades that followed.

Stephen Guy, chairman of the DMA, will oversee proceedings. He said: “It was solidarity within our mining communities and from the wider labour movement that sustained the strike against all odds for a year. It is this solidarity that will enable us as a movement and a class to meet the challenges of today.

“Forty years on from the strike, it is remarkable that the Gala has not just survived but is thriving again. It is an inspiring spectacle and a beacon of hope. The Gala points the way to a better world.

“I look forward to seeing the streets of Durham once again packed with good people on the second Saturday in July. Solidarity forever!”

The full line up of platform speakers is:

• Christina McAnea, General Secretary, Unison
• Ian Lavery, former miner and former president of the NUM
• Matt Wrack, General Secretary, FBU
• Mick Whelan, General Secretary, Aslef
• Daniel Kebede, General Secretary, NEU
• Adriana Pella, CGT, the national trade union federation in Argentina
• Alan Mardghum, General Secretary, DMA
• Heather Wood, Women Against Pit Closures

The speeches will get underway on the Racecourse in Durham will at 1pm. More announcements will follow on arrangements for other Gala activity, and the Cathedral service.

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40 YEARS ON FROM THE MINERS STRIKE, the Gala remains as the world’s greatest display of trade union and community solidarity.

For more than a century it was funded by the working miners of the Durham Coalfield. Today the Gala is funded by our Marras. The costs of hosting the Gala are rising sharply and more support is needed. Your Gala needs you! Join us. If you are able to chip in, please join our band of ‘Marras’ today here.

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For those who wish to stay over, the official Gala campsite is available at Houghall Campus just a short walk from the festivities.

Full camping information and booking is available here.

On the eve of the 137^th Durham Miners Gala, organisers have launched a fundraising appeal to help meet rising costs.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to pack the streets of Durham tomorrow (Saturday 8 July 2023) for an event hosted by the Durham Miners Association (DMA) since 1871.

The Gala returned last year after two cancellations due to the Covid 19 pandemic. It was the biggest ‘Big Meeting’ in decades.  A generation on from the colliery closures, more than 60 Durham miners banners and more than 50 brass bands participated.

Costs to ensure the safe running of the event are rising and organisers are appealing to everyone who values the Gala, which is free to all who attend, to chip in.

For more than a century, the Gala was funded by the county’s working miners through their subscriptions to their trade union, the Durham Miners Association (DMA).

Following the closure of the collieries, the DMA worked in solidarity with the trades unions to create the Friends of Durham Miners Gala (FODMG). Today, the Gala is funded by the donation and subscription through FODMG. Those who contribute are known as ‘Marras’ – a Durham miners’ term for a trusted friend who can be relied on in times of need.

FODMG chair Dave Anderson, a Durham miner who became the MP for Blaydon, said:

“The Big Meeting returned in style last year. It is clear that the people of the region love this event and are turning out in bigger numbers each year.

“The Gala is at the heart of the culture and identity of the North East and it has a unique and inspiring place in the labour and trade union movement. It is also worth a fortune to the economy of the city and the region.

“Our costs are soaring and we need to build support now. I urge everyone who values the Gala to chip in by joining our band of Marras. Together we’ll ensure the Gala continues in 2024 and beyond.”

People attending the Gala can also support the event by visiting the Gala shop on the Racecourse where official Gala t shirts, tote bags, enamel badges and posters will be on sale. Every penny will go to fund the Big Meeting. You can also shop online here.

To join the Marras, or for more information, please click here.

Details of the cathedral service during this year’s Durham Miners Gala have been confirmed. 

Tens of thousands of people are preparing to gather in Durham City on Saturday 8 July 2023 for the 137^th Gala.

The hugely popular Miners Festival Service at Durham Cathedral has been part of every Gala since 1897. 

Three banners will process into Durham Cathedral accompanied by brass and silver bands, to be blessed by the Bishop of Durham.

The banners, accompanied by North Skelton Band, the Durham Miners Association (DMA) Brass Band, and Stanhope Silver Band will parade into the cathedral from 2.30pm.

The banners to be blessed are Coxhoe Colliery; Hetton Lyons and Durham Aged Mineworkers Homes Association (DAMHA), celebrating its 125^th  anniversary. DAMHA will be accompanied by Stanhope Band, which is marking its 200^thanniversary.

The Bishop of Durham blessing a banner at the 2022 service.

The Right Reverend James Jones, KBE, former Bishop of Liverpool and Chair of the Hillsborough Independent Panel, will preach the sermon.

Reverend Canon Michael Hampel, Acting Dean of Durham said:

“The seams of the mining heritage of County Durham run deep within the sacred stones of Durham Cathedral and the Miners Festival Service is a highlight of the Cathedral’s year. This year, the Bishop will dedicate two new banners for Coxhoe and Hetton Lyons and will rededicate the Aged Mineworkers Homes Association banner. With James Jones, former Bishop of Liverpool and the Chair of the Hillsborough Independent Panel, preaching the sermon, we expect a packed Cathedral as we gather to celebrate an industry and a culture which helped make Durham the proud community which it is.”

Steve Gillan, the General Secretary of the Prison Officers Association will give an address on behalf of the DMA, and Grahame Morris MP, the Member of Parliament for Easington will give the reading. Jake Morris-Campbell, a writer from South Shields, will recite his poem ‘Davy’, a tribute to his great-grandfather, who worked in Boldon and Westoe Collieries.

DMA Secretary Alan Mardghum said:

“We are deeply proud that the immense contribution of our communities over many generations is celebrated each year in the magnificent setting of Durham Cathedral. Our thanks as ever to everyone at the cathedral for the work they do and for hosting this service that means so much to us all.”

The service is always very popular and people are advised to arrive in good time. Doors open at 1.30pm.

The service will be live streamed on Durham Cathedral’s Facebook page.

For more information visit www.durhamcathedral.co.uk.

The official 2023 Durham Miners Gala commemorative poster is on sale now.

As across all our range this year, the central feature of the poster is a defining image of the Gala – a miners’ banner in motion.

Prints will be on sale in our Gala shop on the Racecourse on Saturday and are on sale now at our online Gala store. The high-quality A3 print is on 350 gsm paper with matt lamination. 

All proceeds to help fund The Big Meeting. 

By now: www.tc-durhamminers.co.uk

The 2023 Durham Miners Gala is dedicated to workers taking industrial action, organisers have announced.

The Durham Miners Association (DMA) is also calling on all workers not yet in a union to rise up and join the struggle for a fairer and more equal society.

There has been a wave of strikes and other actions by workers across various sectors in response to stagnant wages, deteriorating conditions and the cost-of-living crisis.

The platform speakers at the 137^th Gala – on Saturday 8 July – have all been working in support striking workers and communities organising in response to economic challenges.

The platform speakers will be:

• Paul Nowak, General Secretary, TUC
• Zarah Sultana MP
• Fran Heathcote, President, PCS
• Sarah Woolley, General Secretary, BFAWU
• Sara Bryson, Tyne & Wear Citizens Assembly
• Alan Mardghum, General Secretary, DMA

Stephen Guy, chair of the DMA, will oversee proceedings He said: “We are proud to dedicate the 2023 Gala to all workers in struggle and to those organising to defend their communities from the policies of this cruel and incompetent government.

“We urge everyone to rise up join and union and join the fight for a better society for all.

“All our platform speakers support those taking action in their workplaces and in their communities and I’m sure they will all inspire us to take up the task.”

The speeches on the racecourse will get underway at 1pm. More information on Gala day arrangements is available here.

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For those who wish to stay over, the official Gala campsite is available at Houghall Campus just a short walk from the festivities.

Full camping information and booking is available here.

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The costs of hosting the Gala are rising sharply and more support is needed. Your Gala needs you!

If you are able to chip in, please join our band of ‘Marras’ today here.

Arrangements for the 2023 Durham Miners Gala have been confirmed. The 137^th Big Meeting, as the Gala is also known, will take place on Saturday 8 July 2023.

Road closures will be in place from 4am to enable preparations for the Gala to parade through the city’s streets.

Redevelopment of the city’s bus station means that the Gala cannot parade down the traditional North Road route this year.

Framwelgate Waterside will be used for groups who would traditionally use North Road. No other groups or Gala routes are affected.

The organisers Durham Miners Association (DMA) also make clear that that Redhills, Durham Miners Hall, is closed for refurbishment and cannot be used as a meeting point for any groups.

In a slight adjustment to arrangements, new coach parking bays will be in place along Framwelgate Waterside and should be used for dropping off groups, who can then walk around to form up at the bottom of North Road. Stewards and traffic marshalls will be in place to assist. Coaches can then park at Sidegate car park, the designated coach parking area for Gala.

Later in the day, groups can return to their coaches along Framwelgate Waterside, where coach bays will be provided for the egress.

DMA Secretary Alan Mardghum said: “The thanks of the DMA goes to everyone at Durham County Council and the emergency services who work with us year round to help us ensure the Gala is as safe as possible. The safety of everyone who attends the Gala is our first priority.

“I urge everyone who is joining us on the day, either as participants or spectators to co-operate with our staff, stewards and partners working on the day.

“We look forward to seeing everyone again in Durham on the second Saturday in July.”

The city centre will be closed to traffic from 4am on Gala day. Visitors are encouraged to use the three large park and ride facilities at Sniperley, Howlands Farm and Belmont.

Coaches will be able to park at Sidegate car park or Belmont park and ride.

Banner groups are expected to arrive in the city from 8am. The speeches will begin on the Racecourse at 1pm. The DMA will announce the 2023 Gala speakers in the coming days.

The Miners Festival Service at Durham Cathedral will begin at 3pm. Full details will be announced soon.

For those who wish to stay over, the official Gala campsite is available at Houghall Campus just a short walk from the festivities.

Full camping information and booking is available here.

More Gala day information is available here.

A new film of the extraordinary poem ‘Durham Beatitude’ by William (Bill) Martin created for the return of the Durham Miners Gala and shown for the first time on the giant screen at the 2022 Big Meeting.

The poem mourns the victims of the 1951 Easington Disaster. The moving and powerful film combines its words, spoken by its author, with images of the Gala through the years.

Bill Martin with the Silksworth Lodge banner.

Here, Jake Morris-Campbell, a writer and broadcaster from South Shields, tells Bill’s story:

“William Martin was born in Silksworth in 1925. He published six volumes of poetry and was noted as a bardic performer of his work, frequently breaking into song – including traditional lyrics and folk pieces of his own devising.

“Posted to Karachi during WW2, he served as an RAF radio technician. Here, he encountered Eastern spiritual teachings, which he melded with his Methodist-inspired socialist upbringing in the Durham Coalfield to coin the term ‘Marradharma’, the philosophy of comradeship which underscored his poetry.

“Following demobilisation, he worked as an audiologist at Sunderland Royal Hospital. He started painting but came to poetry, which was easier around a growing family. Though he wrote without recognition for much of his career, his latter books were published by Northumberland-based Bloodaxe Books, one of the world’s leading international poetry presses. Much of his verse was self-illustrated, with prints, drawings and collages forming visual accompaniments to his striking literary celebrations of the people, places and histories of the North-East.

“Each summer solstice Bill would lead a group of family members, friends and fellow poets on a pilgrimage from his home at the foot of Tunstall Hills in Sunderland to Durham Cathedral. Recently this walk has been re-kindled. Bill’s archive has recently been acquired by Newcastle University, his work hopefully going on to inspire a new generation.

“This poem, ‘Durham Beatitude’, which mourns the 83 lives lost in the Easington Colliery Disaster of 1951, was remembered at the Gala in 1980. It was published in Bill’s 1983 collection Cracknrigg.”

You can follow Jake on Twitter @jakecampbell88

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The Durham Miners Gala is only able to continue because of the support of its ‘Marras’ – those who chip in by donation or subscription during the year. Costs are rising sharply and the Gala needs its Marras more than ever.

If you haven’t yet please sign up to support the Gala today here.

Organisers of the Durham Miners Gala have launched a major fundraising drive after the biggest Big Meeting in decades.

More than 200,000 people packed the streets of Durham and the Racecourse ground on Saturday for the first Gala since the Covid 19 pandemic.  

A generation on from the colliery closures, more than 60 Durham miners banners and more than 50 brass bands participated.

“I haven’t seen it like this since I was a bairn,” was the take from those old enough to remember the Gala’s postwar heyday.

The costs of hosting this year’s Gala rose by more than £50,000 on 2019 and organisers expect this to rise even further for next year.

For more than a century, the Gala was funded by the county’s working miners through their subscriptions to their trade union, the Durham Miners Association (DMA).

Following the closure of the collieries, the DMA founded the Friends of Durham Miners Gala (FODMG). Today, the Gala is funded by the donation and subscription through FODMG. Those who contribute are known as ‘Marras’ – a Durham miners’ term for a trusted friend who can be relied on in times of need.

FODMG chair Dave Anderson, a Durham miner who became the MP for Blaydon, said: “This was a fantastic return for the Big Meeting – it was a Gala for the ages. We had more banners, more brass bands and more people than we’ve had for many years.

“The Gala is at the heart of the labour and trade union movement and of the cultural life of the county. It is also worth a fortune to the economy of the city and the region.

“Our costs are soaring and we need to build support now to fund the Gala in 2023. This Gala could not have happened without our Marras. No Gala could. But now we need more.

“I urge everyone who values the Gala to chip in – sign up and become one of our Marras today and help ensure the Gala is even better next year.”

The 137^th Durham Miners Gala will take place on Saturday 8 July 2023.

Bookings are now open for the official Gala campsite for next year. In a quiet countryside setting at Houghall College a short walk from the festivities, the campsite has earned rave reviews in 2022. All proceeds go to help fund the Gala.

Official Gala products, including t shirts, tote bags and enamel badges are also now available for sale online. Again all proceeds to the Gala.

Join the Marras today here.