The Durham Miners Gala which takes place on Saturday will be the largest in modern times with crowds of up to 200,000 expected to throng the city streets. The Big Meeting is one of the biggest cultural and historic events not just on the North East calendar but the UK as a whole.
It sees a parade of brass bands and colliery banners in a day-long celebration of working class life, community and tradition which dates back to 1871 when it was first held in Durham. Since then it was only the First and Second World Wars, the 1926 general strike and the miners' strike of 1984 and the Covid pandemic for the last two years which saw it cancelled.
In the years leading up to 2019 when it was last held, the event saw a surge in popularity and welcomed the return of Labour leaders like Ed Miliband and Jeremy Corbyn. However, current leader Sir Keir Starmer - cleared yesterday over the Durham 'beergate' event - won't be attending.
Read more: RMT leader Mick Lynch will make a speech at Durham Miners' Gala 2022
What happens on Saturday and at what time?
At 8.30am banner groups and bands will gather in Durham City Centre Market Place. Other assembly points include Whitechurch pub on the west of the city while those who would usually parade down North Road will be using Framwellgate Waterside as a starting point.
From the initial assembly points, groups proceed towards a focal point of the Gala - the County Hotel at Old Elvet. Here, labour movement leaders, invited guests and local dignitaries greet the march from the hotel balcony and the bands pause to play their 'party piece'.
How many bands and banners will be on show?
More than 50 Durham miners’ banners and more than 50 brass bands will be taking part, the most at any Gala since before 1984-85 miners strike.
Is it only banners and bands connected to collieries that will be on show?
No. Also on display will be a banner created by the County Durham Palestine Solidarity Campaign. It was created in 2009 by artists Fleur Griffiths, Hugh and Lotte Shankland and is painted in the style of the traditional processional banners used by mining communities.
The famous Mangrove Steel Band from the Notting Hill Carnival will take part, fresh from performing at Glastonbury. The band was formed in 1980 on All Saints Road, Notting Hill, and is steeped in rich social and political history.
It emerged from the legendary ‘Mangrove’ restaurant and community association on All Saints Road which became a centre of Caribbean culture and resistance to social and racial injustice.
The story of the Mangrove Nine, British black activists acquitted of rioting following the police targeting of the restaurant, was recently made into a BBC film as part of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe anthology.
How long will the parade take?
It can take a few hours to pass the County Hotel due to the huge numbers attending and the frequent pauses at the hotel. The procession continues along Old Elvet to the Old Racecourse by the River Wear, where banners are strapped around the perimeter fencing creating a colourful tapestry of working class history.
By afternoon, tens of thousands of people have gathered to browse stalls, enjoy the fun fair, soak up the communal atmosphere, and listen to the platform speeches. At 1pm the Chair opens The Big Meeting, and guest speakers address the crowd.
Who are the guest speakers?
It was revealed last week that Mick Lynch, the RMT General Secretary, has been added to the list of platform speakers. Mr Lynch has received wide acclaim for his leadership and media performances during the recent rail workers strike in defence of his members who are currently in dispute over pay, job security and safety.
Other speakers will include Christina McAnea of Unison, Sharon Graham of Unite, Patrick Roach, from teaching union NASUWT and Jo Grady, from further and higher education union UCU, as well as Yvette Williams from the Justice 4 Grenfell campaign.
This year’s Gala is dedicated to key workers - the ordinary working people who kept the country going throughout the pandemic - and as a result a nurse and a postal worker, selected by the DMA, have joined the list of speakers on Saturday.
They are Holly Johnston, a nurse and member of the GMB union, and Rohan Kon, a postal worker and member of the CWU. Both Holly and Rohan worked throughout the pandemic.
What happens after the speeches?
Following the conclusion of the speeches, brass bands play and new banners are blessed at Durham Cathedral during the Miners’ Festival Service. Organisers say whether you are a believer or not, this is worth a visit for the sheer dramatic experience.
The procession of bands and banners begins at 2.30pm, with the service starting at 3pm. The service is always full and people are advised to arrive early.
What is the situation regarding road closures in Durham for the event?
The centre of Durham will be closed to traffic from 5am on the day but access is possible, for those who arrive early, to the multi-storey car park close to the Market Square.
Information on car parks in Durham city is available here. Alternatively, there are three large park-and-ride car parks at Sniperley, Howlands Farm and Belmont. For a location map, click here. Coaches will be able to park at Sidegate car park or Belmont park and ride.
The Durham Miners Gala would not exist without the work of 'The Marras. To contribute and keep the event going, visit www.friendsofdurhamminersgala.org/join_us
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