News
Generous donation received from the proud son of a Durham Miner
The Friends of the Durham Miners Gala are extremely grateful for a recent generous financial donation that will support the Gala for years to come.
The donor, the proud son of a Durham pitman, dedicated his donation as follows:
Principally, in memory of my great friend and comrade, Dave Temple
and
In memory of the bairns of Aberfan and of all those killed and maimed by capitalism’s greed and need for coal.
In memory of all those miners and their families, especially in Durham who have always fought so hard for their dignity, their industry, their union and their communities.
In memory of all those pitmen who travelled to distant Spain to fight fascism in the Spanish Civil War.
Long live the Enemy Within!
Durham Miners Gala 2025 – artists and performers
The Durham Miners Association presents a great line up of performances and activities on the Racecourse throughout Gala day. The 139th Durham Miners Gala takes place on Saturday 12 July. Read on for details about our 2025 performers and activities and our incomparable compere…
Alfie Joey – Compere
Alfie Joey will compere the main stage throughout the day. Alfie is a broadcaster, performer and writer, and a long-time supporter of the Durham Miners’ Gala. He will introduce each act and speaker, and help keep things running smoothly on stage.
Going Back Brockens – Narbi Price
Award-winning painter Narbi Price will discuss Going Back Brockens, a major new art exhibition showing at this year’s Durham Miners Gala. The exhibition explores the post-industrial landscapes of County Durham, 40 years after the Miners’ Strike.
Narbi will be joined by Jess Hunt, Programme Leader at commissioning organisation No More Nowt, to introduce the project which features 40 new paintings of former colliery sites as they are today. The powerful exhibition also includes rare sound recordings of voices from the Durham Coalfield, alongside six short films telling new and unique stories from people living in the county.
Together, Narbi and Jess will reflect on the scale and ambition of the project, its commitment to working with communities, and how they worked to embed the project in the villages across the county. The exhibitions will be on display at the Redhills Art tent and their inclusion in the Gala has been made possible with the support of the Durham Miners Gala and Redhills – Durham Miners Hall.
Find out more at No More Nowt
Emily Wiseman and Sacriston Youth Project
Led by writer and producer Emily Wiseman and working with filmmakers Andy Berriman and John Kirkbride, this project brought together young people from Sacriston Youth Project to create a political spoken word poem. Commissioned by Redhills, Durham Miners Hall, the project asked children to reflect on their mining heritage, their ancestry, and the challenges their community faces today, the group were invited to imagine what they would say if they had the chance to sit around a table at 10 Downing Street and speak directly to those in power.
Through creative workshops exploring identity, injustice, ambition, and hope, they crafted a defiant, proud message for their future. Their words are platformed in a short film, which will be shown on the main stage. Alfie Joey will introduce the film alongside Emily Wiseman, and the group will also perform at the Cathedral service starting at 3pm
Find out more about Emily here: https://writeupandrise.org/ and SYP: sacristonyouthproject.org.uk
Bill Elliott and Northern Roots
Northern Roots is a folk group made up of Bill Elliott (of the Elliott’s of Birtley), Kevin Youldon and Katherine Raine. Bill and Kevin have performed together for over 30 years and are well known on the North East folk scene. They are joined by Katherine on fiddle. Their set includes traditional and contemporary folk songs from the UK, Ireland and the USA, with material that reflects the mining heritage of the region.
Graham Martin – William Martin and Marradharma
Graham Martin will speak about the life and work of his father, the poet William Martin – known as Bill. Graham will introduce Marradharma, a philosophy developed by Bill following service with the RAF in India. There, he 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.
As part of this segment, we will see a short film of Bill’s poem Durham Beatitude, which mourns the 83 lives lost in the Easington Colliery Disaster of 1951. A new collection of selected poems – Marratide – has been published in 2025 to mark Bill’s centenary.
Read more about William Martin here: www.bloodaxebooks.com/ecs/category/william-martin
Ensemble 84
Mark, a member of Ensemble 84, will speak about the group’s recent move to Horden and their ongoing work in the area. Ensemble 84 is a community-focused organisation that uses music and creative collaboration to explore themes of social change, identity and solidarity. A short promotional film about their work will be shown as part of the presentation, including examples of their recent productions connected to mining heritage. These include their debut production, Mother Courage and Her Children, premiered at Horden Methodist Church in May, and their upcoming ‘Pits, People and Players’ show in August, created in celebration of Horden’s heritage.
Find out more: ensemble84.com
Joe Solo
Joe Solo is a musician, writer and activist. His work focuses on the experiences of working-class communities and grassroots movements. He will perform a set of songs that reflect themes of protest, resilience and collective action.
Joe is a founder of founder of the We Shall Overcome campaign – a response from the music community to the government’s austerity programme. Since 2015, more than 1,100 WSO gigs have raised more than £750,000 in cash, food, clothing and bedding for those hardest hit. Joe will take to the stage at 12 noon and lead ahead of the speeches…
Find out more about Joe: Joe Solo – Solo Central- news, gigs, music and more.
Çar Newa
The trailblazing musicians of Çar Newa — Serhat Karakas, Memo Gul, Fikri Kurlay, Ahmet Kaya, and Süleyman Gültekin — first played together for years in the legendary group Koma Amed. In 2000, they founded Çar Newa in Düsseldorf, creating a powerful new sound that blends the rich melodies of traditional Kurdish folk with the energy and style of Western music.
Their debut album Sî (2000) — mostly self-composed — was instantly embraced by Kurdish music lovers. They followed it up with Mak (2003), celebrating timeless folk tunes, and Ziz (2007), cementing their place as modern innovators of Kurdish music.
Çar Newa’s unique fusion has captivated audiences across Europe, Canada, Australia, Turkey, and Kurdistan at hundreds of international festivals. Their music has been covered and celebrated by countless Turkish and Kurdish singers and bands — and their trailblazing sound continues to inspire new generations.
And now, they’re bringing this unforgettable spirit to the Durham Miners’ Gala! Don’t miss your chance to witness the band that redefined Kurdish music live — a passionate, powerful performance celebrating solidarity, tradition, and cultural exchange. Be there and experience the magic of Çar Newa!
Back Chat Brass
1 band. 8 instruments. 100s of venues. 1000s of gigs. Infinite fun.
Rooted in pop, funk and hip hop, BCB’s brassy beats give soul to any party and lift the roof at any gig. Since 2016, Back Chat Brass have been wreaking havoc in venues around the world, coaxing even the stubbornest of dance-phobics from their seats out their signature take on your go-to hits. The only thing that keeps you guessing will be what banger is coming up next. Thanks to Durham Brass Festival and Redhills – Durham Miners Hall, Back Chat Brass will perform sets in the DMA tea tent and on the Redhills stage down near the marquees.
West Rainton Steel Band
In 2023, West Rainton Steel Band was started out of West Rainton Primary School. The band is made up of 90% junior players aged between 7-12.
Guided by Holly Fagin from Durham Music Service, the band has steadily grown in popularity since their debut. They have since performed in public numerous times, including Darlington Community Festival and Durham Miners’ Gala 2024.
The band relies entirely on fundraising and grants to continue its incredible journey. Every penny raised goes towards the band’s rehearsal space and performances. West Rainton Steel Bandwill perform on the Redhills stage down near the marquees.
2025 limited edition art print for the 139th Durham Miners Gala.
WE ARE STILL HERE!
For this year’s Gala, he has created a bold, text-based work titled We Are Still Here! The artwork celebrates the resilience and solidarity of our Durham Coalfield communities keeping our traditions alive more than a generation on from the Miners Strike and colliery closures. The print features the names of the 77 communities of the Durham Coalfield that in 2025 have active banner groups keeping the flame alive. Each year, more than 60 of these communities parade their banners in Durham on Gala day.
Find out more and order your copy here.
SUPPORT THE DURHAM MINERS GALA…
For more than a century, the Gala was funded by the working miners of the Durham coalfield. Following the closure of our collieries is is funded by donation and subscription from ordinary people who believe in the Gala and are determined to keep it going. Those who support the Gala are known as Marras – a Durham Miners’ term for a trusted friend or comrade.
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.
Durham Miners Gala 2025– Cathedral Service
The hugely popular Miners Festival Service at Durham Cathedral will return this weekend as part of the Durham Miners’ Gala. The service, which takes place at 3pm, has been part of every Gala since 1897.
Tens of thousands of people are preparing to gather in Durham City on Saturday 12 July 2025 for the 139th Miners’ Gala, with a procession up to the cathedral.
This year three new banners will process into the cathedral accompanied by brass and silver bands. They will be blessed as part of the cathedral by the acting Bishop of Durham, the Rt Revd Sarah Clark.
The new banners are Bearpark, Thornley, which will be accompanied by Thurcroft Welfare Band and Tursdale Mechanics with the Bowburn Banner Group and Kippax Band
The Durham Miners’ Association (DMA) Brass Band will lead the bands and banners and play during the service. The procession begins at 2.30pm followed by the service inside the cathedral at 3pm.
Reverend Canon Professor David Wilkinson will preach the sermon. Andy McDonald MP, the member of parliament for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East will give the annual address on behalf of the DMA. The traditional Bible reading will be given by Wendy Hindmarch, a performer with Ensemble ’84, the new Horden-based theatre company which is highlighting untapped talent in the region.
Members of Sacriston Youth Project will perform their new poem ‘We are still here’. The work has been commissioned by the Redhills charity for the Gala and the young people have been working with poet Emily Wiseman.
The Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming, the Dean of Durham, said: “I am looking forward to welcoming people from across our great County and beyond to the Miners’ Festival Service. ‘The past we inherit, the future we build’ is a proud motto of the Durham miners, and in a year which will see the reopening of Redhills, the Pitman’s Parliament, we will be looking forward to the future with hope. It will be very good having David Wilkinson, a County Durham lad, to preach for us and there will also be a poem specially written for the service by local schoolchildren. It is a service not to miss!”
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 also be live-streamed on Durham Cathedral’s YouTube page here – www.youtube.com/@durhamcathedral1093
Durham Miners Gala 2025 – platform speakers
The platform speakers for the 2025 Durham Miners Gala have been confirmed. Hosted by the Durham Miners Association (DMA), the 139th Gala takes place on Saturday 12 July.
Jeremy Corbyn returns to the Gala platform, joining Palestinian Ambassador Husam Zomlot, who has already been announced as a speaker.
They are joined by trade union general secretaries Sharon Graham of Unite, Eddie Dempsey of RMT and Matt Wrack of NASUWT. Chris Peace of the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign and DMA General Secretary Alan Mardghum complete the line up.
The platform will be chaired by DMA Chairman Stephen Guy. Stephen said: “We have a great line up of speakers for the 139th Gala. Our platform honours the Gala as a trade union event with a strong tradition of international solidarity. The Gala has hosted many international speakers over its long history, with guests from overseas speaking at the Gala from its early years.
“We are delighted that Jeremy Corbyn is returning to speak. Jeremy was a steadfast supporter of the miners and our communities and has remained a great friend.
“We thank all our guest speakers for accepting the invitation of the DMA. Our trade union speakers represent workers from various sectors and from diverse communities. We look forward to hearing from them all in Durham on the second Saturday in July.”
The full line up of platform speakers is:
- Jeremy Corbyn MP, Member of Parliament for Islington North.
- Dr Husam Zomlot, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to the UK
- Sharon Graham, General Secretary, Unite
- Eddie Dempsey, General Secretary, RMT
- Chris Peace, Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign
- Matt Wrack, Acting General Secretary, NASUWT
- Chris Peace, Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign
- Alan Mardghum, General Secretary, DMA
The speeches will get underway on the Racecourse in Durham at 1pm. More announcements will follow on arrangements for other Gala activity, and the Cathedral service.
SUPPORT THE DURHAM MINERS GALA…
For more than a century, the Gala was funded by the working miners of the Durham coalfield. Following the closure of our collieries is is funded by donation and subscription from ordinary people who believe in the Gala and are determined to keep it going. Those who support the Gala are known as Marras – a Durham Miners’ term for a trusted friend or comrade.
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.
OFFICIAL GALA CAMPSITE
Make the most of the Durham Miners Gala and stay at the official campsite.
Now at a new site at the stunning Ushaw, a short distance from Durham City. Live music, bar and catering on site.
Campsite tickets include complimentary shuttle buses to and from the Gala, and discount on entry to Ushaw.
Tickets are on sale for Friday 11 and Saturday 12 July 2025. Book now here.
We Are Still Here! – Gala art print celebrates communities of the Durham Coalfield
A hand made limited edition art print by an acclaimed British artist celebrating the communities of the Durham Coalfield has been produced for the 2025 Gala.
We Are Still Here! by Bob and Roberta Smith celebrates the resilience and solidarity of the former mining communities that are maintaining the union banners more than a generation since the closure of the last Durham coal mine.
Patrick Brill known professionally as Bob and Roberta Smith, is a leading British artist. Renowned for his iconic slogan-based artwork, his best-known pieces include Make Art Not War (1997), now held in the Tate collection.
For this year’s Gala, he has created We Are Still Here! The artwork celebrates the resilience and solidarity of our Durham Coalfield communities keeping our traditions alive. The print features the names of the 77 communities of the Durham Coalfield that in 2025 have active banner groups keeping the flame alive.
The original artwork, hand-painted on plywood, has been expertly digitised for the giclée printing process. Each print will be professionally produced on fine art paper, individually numbered and signed by the artist.
Bob and Roberta Smith prints usually sell for £200–£300. A donation of £50 or more to the Friends of Durham Miners’ Gala secures your limited edition print. So, as well as an opportunity to own a great and meaningful work of art – and support the Gala – this could be a great investment!
All proceeds from this time-limited edition will go directly to support the Gala. However many are ordered by 5pm on Wednesday 16 July will determine the edition size – no more will be made after that. It can also be ordered at the Gala shop marquee near the Racecourse pavilion on Gala day.
Print size: A3 Process: Giclee Paper: Fotospeed Studio Etching Rag 295gsm
More about the artist
Bob and Roberta Smith is an associate professor at the School of Art, Architecture and Design at London Metropolitan University and has curated public art projects such as Art U Need. He was curator for the 2006 Peace Camp and created the 2013 Art Party to promote contemporary art and advocacy. His works have been exhibited and are in collections in Europe and the United States. Brill co-founded The Ken Ardley Playboys and hosts the Make Your Own Damn Music radio show.
Find out more: http://bobandrobertasmith.co.uk/
Official film of the 2024 Durham Miners Gala
The official film of the 2024 Durham Miners Gala will premiere online on Thursday 12 December at 7pm.
The 138th Gala marked 40 years since the Miners Strike. The theme of ‘Solidarity Forever’ ran through the Gala, with the DMA highlighting the solidarity that sustained the strike and has kept the Gala going in the decades that followed.
The Gala was attended by 64 Durham miners banner, and by at least one banner from every other coalfield in the UK. They were accompanied by more than 50 brass bands and by over 100 labour movement banners from across the country and beyond.
Film crew commissioned by the DMA and the Friends of Durham Miners Gala were there to capture the sights and sounds throughout Gala day. The film starts off early in the morning in Murton and follows the banner group through the day.
The 18-minute film features the bands, the banners, the people, the speeches, and the Cathedral service and reminds us why Gala day is the greatest day of the year.
Watch the film on YouTube here.
Watch on Facebook here.
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.
You can also support us by purchasing from our official Gala online store. All proceeds go to the Gala. Shop online here.
Eve of Gala appeal 2024
On the eve of the 138th Durham Miners Gala and 40 years on from the Miners Strike, 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 13 July 2024) for an event hosted by the Durham Miners Association (DMA) since 1871.
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.
The theme of this year’s Gala is ‘Solidarity Forever’, a popular slogan and song during the strike. The Gala has survived and is thriving again, but costs of hosting the event – which is free for all who attend – have risen sharply this year. 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: “It is remarkable that the Gala has survived the 40 years sicnce the strike and the subsequent destruction of the coal mining industry. This is due to the solidarity shown by the people who were determined it must continue.
“Our costs of are higher than ever and rising sharply.. The Gala needs the solidarity of the people more than ever.
“I urge everyone who values the Gala to chip and join our band of Marras.”
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.
Miners Gala Cathedral Service 2024
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 13 July 2024 for the 138th Gala.
The hugely popular Miners Festival Service at Durham Cathedral has been part of every Gala since 1897.
Two new banners will process and into the cathedral accompanied by brass and silver bands. They will be blessed by the acting Bishop of Durham, the Rt Revd Sarah Clark. The new banners are Deaf Hill, which will be accompanied North Lakes Band, and Wheatley Hill with GT Group Peterlee Band.
The Durham Miners Association (DMA) Brass Band will lead the bands and banners and play during the service. The procession begins at 2.30pm followed by the service at 3pm.
The Rt Revd Nick Baines, the Bishop of Leeds will preach the sermon. Simon Kennedy, Regional Secretary for the teachers union NASUWT, will give the annual address on behalf of the DMA, and Mary Kelly Foy MP, member of parliament for the City of Durham will do a Bible reading.
County Durham poet Bernadette McAloon will read her poem Coaly Widow, a commemoration of the West Stanley disaster that claimed the lives of 168 miners.
The Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming, the Dean of Durham, said: “I am looking forward to welcoming people from across our great County to the Miners Festival Service. Coal was once mined just across the river from Durham Cathedral and we continue to celebrate an industry and a culture which helped make County Durham the proud community it is. This year we will also be marking the fortieth anniversary of the Miners’ Strike and the service will include an Act of Remembrance in which we bring before God memories of accomplishment – but also pain and loss.”
DMA chairman Stephen Guy said: “The service at Durham Cathedral is a highlight of Gala day and is highly valued by all of us at the DMA and by people across the coalfield.
“Our thanks to everyone at the cathedral for their friendship and support and for hosting this service that recognises the sacrifice and achievements of our coalfield communities.”
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 YouTube page.
For more information visit www.durhamcathedral.co.uk.
Gala 2024 – art print commemorates 40th anniversary of Miners’ Strike
A beautiful, hand made limited edition art print marking 40 years since the Miners Strike has been specially produced for the 2024 Durham Miners Gala.
‘Solidarity Forever’ by the artist Theresa Easton takes inspiration from the iconography of the strike – handmade placards, bold simple text, and big powerful slogans.
It ties in with the ‘Solidarity Forever!’ theme of this year’s Gala, marking the 40th anniversary of the strike.
The print can be ordered now with all proceeds going to the Friends of Durham Miners Gala.
Created by artist Theresa Easton, it is evocative of the time and the solidarity that sustained the strike for a year, it is also forward facing, celebrating the comradery, community and spirit that sustains the Gala to this day.
Theresa is a printmaker, community artist and Lecturer in Fine Art at Newcastle University. Community participation and political activism feature as a driving force in her work. Printmaking provides a platform for her activism and interest in social history, and heritage interpretation. She is one of the founding members of Artists’ Union England, a trade union formed 10 years ago for visually & applied artists and artists with a socially engaged practice.
‘Solidarity Forever’ is hand printed using screenprinting and traditional letterpress wooden type.
Watch the video to see how the print is made…
https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FKwamlewlRLA%3Fwmode%3Dtransparent%26feature%3Doembed&wmode=transparent&display_name=YouTube&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DKwamlewlRLA&image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FKwamlewlRLA%2Fhqdefault.jpg&key=e23856ccc1f011e0b5e44040d3dc5c07&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=youtube
Printed onto Fabrianno Rosaspina Bianco, each print is signed, dated and numbered by the artist.
Print size is: 42cm x 32 cm.
This is a time-limited edition print. However many are ordered by Sunday 14th July at 5pm will determine how many are made. After this deadline, the screen and letterpress will be dismantled and no more can be created.
For a donation of £40 or more to the Friends of Durham Miners Gala, you can order online or at the Marras stall/ Gala shop on the Racecourse on Gala day, on Saturday 13th July.
Please note, prints will be dispatched around mid-late August. This is due to the time it takes to hand print the edition.
All proceeds will go to the Friends od Durham Miners Gala to help fund the Gala.
Joe Solo to play Durham Miners Gala 2024
Singer songwriter Joe Solo will perform at the 2024 Durham Miners Gala. The musician and activist will sing for the Gala crowds after first marching through the city with Yorkshire’s Hatfield Brigade.
https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FZ73DP2GW5Y0%3Fwmode%3Dtransparent%26feature%3Doembed&wmode=transparent&display_name=YouTube&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DZ73DP2GW5Y0&image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FZ73DP2GW5Y0%2Fhqdefault.jpg&key=e23856ccc1f011e0b5e44040d3dc5c07&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=youtube
Among his songs of hope and defiance will be ‘The Last Miner’, written and recorded this year in celebration of The Big Meeting. The song features children from the former coal mining community of Hatfield, who making the pilgrimage to Durham and will join Joe for his performance.
Joe will take to the Gala platform following the conclusion of the speeches.
He said: “Singing at the Big Meeting will be a proper pinch myself moment. You can only dream of stuff like this. I want to sing that song, and get the kids up there for the chorus, and give them the chance to be on that stage and feel that history right there in front of them. That stuff has the power to change lives. To people like us, this is our Glastonbury. I can’t wait.”
Joe is a founder of founder of the We Shall Overcome campaign – a response from the music community to the government’s austerity programme.
Since 2015, more than 1,100 WSO gigs have raised more than £750,000 in cash, food, clothing and bedding for those hardest hit.
DMA Secretary Alan Mardghum said: “Joe is a good friend of the Durham miners and a great fit for the Gala. We are delighted he will join us on the second Saturday in July. He fights the good fight in everything he does and embodies the spirit and values of the Gala – community, determination, hope and solidarity.”
More details from the rest of this year’s Gala programme will be released soon. For information on Gala speakers, please see here.
For more about Joe Solo, please see here.