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This year’s Durham Miners’ Gala poster marks the centenary of the great pitman painter Norman Cornish.

The poster features the famous Miners’ Gala Mural completed by the miner and internationally acclaimed artist in 1963. The mural excerpt depicts a family enjoying their day out at The Big Meeting against the backdrop of a Durham miners banner.

Commemorative prints of the poster will be on sale at the Gala, on Saturday 13 July raising funds for the Marras – Friends of Durham Miners Gala to support the event.

Alan Mardghum, Secretary of the Durham Miners’ Association, said: “We delighted that this year’s poster features perhaps the most famous depiction of the Gala, and we are proud that we are able to mark the centenary of this great artist from the Durham coalfield in this way. Our thanks to the Cornish family for their support for the Durham Miners’ Gala.”

At nine metres long, the Gala mural is the largest work Norman Cornish ever produced. Currently on display at Durham County Hall, the mural is due to be relocated this year to Bishop Auckland Town Hall.

The artist’s son John Cornish said: “We are delighted that in the Norman Cornish Centenary Year, this extract from my father’s mural will feature as part of the Durham Miners’ Gala celebrations. The family is pleased to support the Marras and their efforts to ensure that this great celebration continues for many years to come.”

Norman Cornish was born in Spennymoor on 18 November 1919. He worked at Dean and Chapter Colliery for 33 years from the age of 14.

Famous around the world for his depictions of work and life on the Durham coalfield, he was the last surviving artist of the Pitman’s Academy at The Spennymoor Settlement, established to give mining communities access to the arts. He continued to paint until his death at the age of 94 in August 2014.

The poster will be available for sale at the Marras stall on the racecourse at this year’s Gala.

Proceeds will go to Marras – Friends of Durham Miners’ Gala, established to fund the Gala following the closure of the collieries.

For more than a century, the Gala was funded by the miners of the Durham Coalfield. Today it is funded by Maras, who make contributions throughout the year. To become a Marra, go to: www.friendsofdurhamminersgala.org/join_us

For more information on the Cornish Centenary, upcoming exhibitions and further resources, visit the official artist website at: normancornish.com

The platform speakers for the 135th Durham Miners’ Gala have been announced.

The Big Meeting will be held on Saturday 13 July 2019, with the speeches on the racecourse getting underway at 1pm.

Durham Miners’ Association Secretary Alan Mardghum, who will chair The Big Meeting for the first time, said: “In our 150th year, the platform reflects and reaffirms the founding principles of The Big Meeting. As our predecessors at the DMA put it: ‘the essential of the day is the renewal of our pledge to the cause of trades unionism. As at the first Gala, our speakers are all drawn from the labour and trade union movement. Each carries on the cause on which we were founded – socialism. We look forward to welcoming our speakers – and our other 200,000 guests – to Durham on the second Saturday in July.”

The full list of speakers is:

• Rebecca Long Bailey MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
• Laura Pidcock MP Shadow Minister for Labour
• Len McCluskey, General Secretary of Unite the union
• Shami Chakrabarti, Shadow Attorney General
• Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON
• Dave Ward, General Secretary of the The Communications Union
• Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union
• Doug Nicholls, General Secretary of the General Federation of Trade Unions

The continuation of The Big Meeting is only possible because of the contributions of our Marras – the Friends of Durham Miners’ Gala.

Please take a moment today, and become a Marra here: www.friendsofdurhamminersgala.org/join_us

We hope you’ll all join us for the Durham Miners’ Gala 2019.

Ken Loach  will be the reader at the Miners Festival Service at Durham Cathedral as part of this year’s Gala.

The acclaimed filmmaker will speak at the service, which will also include the blessing of the new banner marking the 150^th anniversary of the Durham Miners’ Association (DMA).

Ken said: “It is an honour to be asked to be the reader at this year’s Miners’ Festival Service as part of the Gala. I can’t think of a more impressive occasion or a more magnificent cathedral.” 

The service, on Saturday 13 July, will also include the blessing of new banners for Horden and for Blackhall. The Cathedral service has been part of the Durham Miners’ Gala since 1897.

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. We are delighted that Ken Loach, a great supporter of ours, will give this year’s reading on behalf of the DMA, and in our 150^th year we look forward to our new area banner receiving its blessing during the service. 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.”

(Photo: John Attle)

The service promises to deliver an energetic and rousing atmosphere, as the procession of colliery brass bands and pit banners arrive in to the cathedral’s breath-taking Norman Nave.

The Very Reverend, Andrew Tremlett, Dean of Durham, said: “The Durham Miners’ Festival Service is a real highlight of the cathedral calendar, and anticipation is already building in the city ahead of July. The cathedral service gives us the opportunity to reflect on the region’s mining legacy, whilst also providing hope and blessings to those who continue to mine in often-dangerous conditions today.”

The Miners Festival Service will begin at 3pm. It always reaches capacity and people are advised to arrive as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

The Big Meeting has hit the big screen ahead of this year’s Durham Miners Gala.

The new feature film about the Gala received its premiere at Redhills: Durham Miners Hall before it goes on general release in cinemas later this summer.

Titled ‘The Big Meeting’, the film explores the meaning and history of the Gala and follows some of the people who make it such an inspiring event.

When the credits rolled at the premiere, The Pitman’s Parliament was filled with applause from the sold-out audience, which included Booker Prize-winning author DBC Pierre and actor Charlie Hardwick.

DMA Secretary Alan Mardghum said: “This film is a beautiful and powerful exploration of the Durham Miners’ Gala and all it means. It deserves to be a great success. Many thanks to director Daniel Draper, producer Christie Allanson, and everyone who contributed to what was clearly a labour of love. The film will go on general release later this summer and I urge everyone to make sure they don’t miss it.”

The premiere was followed by a panel discussion with Daniel and some of the people who have ensured the survival of the Gala, and make it the great success it is today.

The event also heard from Ian Lavery and Angela Rayner, who urged everyone who values the Gala to make a contribution by joining the Marras, established to fund the event following the closure of the collieries.

The film is from production company Shut Out The Light, the makers of the acclaimed Dennis Skinner biopic Nature of the Beast. The Gala project developed following a screening of Nature of the Beast at Redhills attended by Daniel and Dennis Skinner.

“It was a superb evening at Redhills and I’m delighted the film received such a great reception,” Daniel said. “The film is an exploration of something wonderful and beyond words – the Durham Miners’ Gala. I look forward to taking the film around the North East and across the country later this summer.”

The panel featured George Robson, former DMA finance officer, who organised the Gala for more than 40 years; Heather Wood, community activist from Easington and stalwart of the Gala; Dave Temple, former miner, founder of the Marras, & author of The Big Meeting – A history of the Durham Miners’ Gala; and Charlotte Austin, labour activist from West Auckland. It was chaired by Ross Forbes, DMA press officer during the Miners’ Strike, and now DMA Programme Director and Gala organiser.

Proceeds from the film premiere went to the Marras – Friends of Durham Miners’ Gala. Marras Chair Dave Anderson said: “We hope this film will expose more people to what is the world’s greatest celebration of community, solidarity and working-class culture.”

Look out for cinema and community screenings of The Big Meeting around the country later this summer.

The 135^thDurham Miners’ Gala will be held on Saturday 13 July. For more than a century, the Gala was funded by the miners of the Durham Coalfield. Today it is funded by Maras, who make contributions throughout the year. To become a Marra, go to: www.friendsofdurhamminersgala.org/join_us

For more information on the film The Big Meeting, go to: www.galafilm.co.uk

A new feature film about the Durham Miners’ Gala will receive its premiere in the city in June.

‘The Big Meeting’ will be shown for the first time at Redhills: Durham Miners Hall before it goes on general release in cinemas later this summer.

The 94-minute film explores the meaning of the Gala and follows some of the people who make it such an inspiring event. It also includes contributions from Gala supporters including Dennis Skinner and Jeremy Corbyn.

The premiere, on Saturday 22 June, will feature a panel discussion with director Daniel Draper and some of the stars of the film.

Daniel, director of the acclaimed Dennis Skinner biopic Nature of the Beast, said: “I don’t think words alone can do justice to the Durham Miners’ Gala. It is as though this great celebration of working-class life takes place in the past, present and future simultaneously. This film is an exploration of something wonderful and beyond words.Redhills is the perfect setting for the premiere and I will be proud to share The Big Meeting for the first time at the home of the Durham miners.”

The Durham Miners’ Association Band will play for ticket holders in the grounds of Redhills from 6pm

Following the screening of the film, we’ll have a panel discussion with director Daniel  and contributors to the film. They are:

• George Robson, former DMA finance officer, who organised the Gala for more than 40 years

• Heather Wood, community activist from Easington and stalwart of the Gala

• Dave Temple, former miner, founder of the Marras, author of The Big Meeting – A history of the Durham Miners Gala

• Charlotte Austin, activist from West Auckland, representing the future we build 

• Ross Forbes, DMA press officer during the miners Strike, and now DMA Programme Director and Gala organiser, will chair the panel.

We’ll also hear from Labour Party Chair and former miner Ian Lavery, and Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner. Both Ian and Angela are long standing attendees and supporters of the Gala and are Parliamentary Patrons of the Marras.

It’s going to be a very special night at Redhills as we see The Big Meeting hit the big screen for the first time.

Book your places here: http://buytickets.at/marras/268018

Hosted by the Durham Miners’ Association since 1871, the Gala attracts more than 200,000 people to the city every second Saturday in July. The 135^th Durham Miners’ Gala will be held on Saturday 13 July 2019.

Proceeds from the film premiere will go to the Marras – Friends of Durham Miners’ Gala, which was established to fund the event following the closure of the collieries.

Dave Anderson, chair of the Marras, said: “We are delighted that Daniel and his team have captured the sights and sounds of this unique event. We hope this film will expose more people to what is the world’s greatest celebration of community, solidarity and working-class culture. We look forward to seeing The Big Meeting on the big screen. We’ll be joined at the premiere by some good friends and special guests and we are sure it’ll be a very special occasion at Redhills.”

The premiere will be held at Redhills: Durham Miners Hall on Saturday 22 June with doors opening at 6pm.

Pictured are: DMA Secretary Alan Mardghum, SAFC Executive Director Charlie Methven and Dave Anderson, Chair of Marras – the Friends of Durham Miners’ Gala.

Sunderland AFC will help promote the Marras at tomorrow’s match dedicated to the Durham Miners’ Association (DMA).

The club has formed a new partnership with the DMA to celebrate the shared histories of the two institutions and the rich mining heritage of the region.

SAFC has joined the Marras – Friends of Durham Miners’ Gala, helping us ensure The Big Meeting survives, and thrives, and inspires generations to come.

Saturday’s crucial match against Portsmouth will feature the parade of miners’ banners from across the region around the Stadium of Light pitch before the game – including the historic Monkwearmouth Lodge banner. The stadium is on the site of the former Wearmouth Colliery.

Ten former lodges of the Durham Miners’ Association will be represented on the day – Lumley, Quarrington Hill, Deaf Hill, Sacriston, Eppleton, Sherburn, F Pit (Washington), Usworth, South Hetton and Wearmouth. 

Supporters will also be able to enjoy music from the Durham Miners’ Association Band, who will be playing in the Fan Zone before the game.

The band will play in the Fan Zone from 1.45 until 2.15pm and supporters are encouraged to take their seats early in the stadium, with the parade of banners around the pitch commencing at approximately 2.30pm.

To join SAFC and play your part in supporting the Durham Miners’ Gala, become a Marra here.

Visitors to this year’s Durham Miners’ Gala can now book to camp in the city for this year’s event.

Gala organisers are offering official camping over two nights just a short walk from the festivities.

The introduction of affordable, high-quality accommodation was a hit with festival goers at last year’s event.

More than 200,000 people attended the 2018 Gala, and organisers are expecting an even bigger crowd this year.

The 135^th Durham Miners’ Gala takes place on Saturday 13 July 2019. The campsite at East Durham College’s Houghall Campus will include free luxury showers and toilets, plus a café and entertainment tent featuring open mike for those bringing their guitars.

Accommodation can be booked now for Friday 12, and Saturday 13 July.  Places are limited and people are advised to book early. Camper vans and caravans, as well as tents, are welcome.

All funds raised from camping will go the help cover the costs of staging the Gala, which is a free event.

The campsite is provided by Marras – the Friends of Durham Miners’ Gala, the organisation which funds the Big Meeting through member contributions.

Dave Anderson, Chair of the Marras, said: “We had excellent feedback from those who camped last year and are delighted that we can again offer this affordable and high-quality option so visitors can stay in Durham and make the most of the wonderful Gala weekend.

“We’re expecting even bigger crowds than last year, and are working to ensure that the 135^th Big Meeting is the best yet. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Durham in July, and I urge everyone to become a Marra and support our unique and inspiring event.”

Camping is priced at just £15 per person per night for adults, and £7.50 for under 16s, and free for under 5s. There is also a 25 percent discount for members of the Marras.

Free cancellation with a full refund is available until Saturday 6 July – a week before the Big Meeting.

The Durham Miners’ Gala is one of the world’s largest working-class festivals, and celebrations of community spirit, trade union collectivism, and international solidarity.

The success and growth of the Gala in recent years means the costs of staging the event have risen significantly. Historically, the Gala was paid for by the working miners of the Durham Coalfield. Now it’s paid for by Marras.

Camping can be booked now online. 

To support the Gala – and receive a 25 percent discount on camping – become a Marra. 

For more information, email marras@durhamminersgala.org, or call 0191 386 8413.

Organisers of the Durham Miners’ Gala have launched a £25,000 fundraising drive ahead of this year’s event.

The growth of the Big Meeting in recent years has pushed up the costs of hosting the free festival, which is worth more than £10m to the local economy.

More than 200,000 people attended The Big Meeting in 2018, making it one of the country’s biggest events.

Even more visitors are expected at this year’s event, on Saturday 13 July, and everyone who values the Gala is being urged to contribute by becoming a Marra of the Big Meeting.

Last year saw the introduction of a new stage, sound system and giant video screen to cater for the more than 50,000 people who now gather on Durham’s Racecourse Ground as part of the celebrations.

The new set up also enabled the addition of live music from the stage, with a performance by singer-songwriter Billy Bragg.

The increasing scale of the Gala has also added to the cost of stewarding and security.

Established by the Durham Miners’ Association (DMA) in 1871, the Gala was for more than a century paid for by the working miners of the county. Following the closure of the collieries, the DMA created the Marras – the Friends of Durham Miners’ Gala – to secure the future of the historic event. Today, the Gala is funded by Marras, who make contributions throughout the year.

Dave Anderson, Chair of the Marras, called on everyone who values the Gala to make a contribution.

The former miner, who served as MP for Blaydon, said: “The Gala is a unique and inspiring spectacle. There is nothing like it anywhere else in the world and it happens in Durham, attracting people from near and far to the city for the weekend.

“For many people it is the highlight of the year and we are working to ensure this year’s Big Meeting is the best yet. We need again to raise at least the extra £25,000 it cost to introduce last year’s improvements, and more than that to continue to develop the Gala. I thank all our Marras for their contributions, and I urge everyone who values the Gala to give us their support.

“Whether you enjoy the sights and sounds and atmosphere of the Big Meeting, share its values of solidarity and community, or value the contribution it makes to the local economy, please sign up, become a Marra, and help ensure this wonderful day continues to survive and thrive.”

A series of high-profile guest speakers and a musical performer will be announced in the coming months. The growth and success of the Gala has attracted the attention of filmmakers with a new feature film titled ‘The Big Meeting’ due to hit the big screen in 2019.

Individuals and organisations can become Marras by joining the Friends of Durham Miners’ Gala.

To join, or for more information, you can also email marras@durhamminersgala.org , or call 0191 386 8413.

The first trailer has been released for the upcoming feature film about the Durham Miners’ Gala.

The production will be called ‘The Big Meeting’ and will hit the big screen in 2019.

The team behind the acclaimed Nature of the Beast – about legendary Labour MP Dennis Skinner – is telling the unique and inspiring story of the Gala.

The Shut Out The Light production is due for release this year to coincide with the 150^thanniversary of the Durham Miners’ Association.

For more information, visit the film’s website at: www.galafilm.co.uk