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Rich seam of history at Durham Miners’ gala

Jul 13 2008 by Ian Robson, Sunday Sun

THEY came in their thousands to mark one of the most important days in the North calendar.

The 124th Durham Miners’ Gala was held yesterday in a blaze of colourful banners from colliery towns and villages.

More than 30 colliery bands and around 160 banners paraded through the city to celebrate the annual “Big Meeting”.

The deep-mine pits are no longer worked in the North, but the revived gala has become a giant street party and a celebration of a mining heritage. The parade crowds gathered at Durham Racecourse for speeches by trade union leaders and politicians.

But it was also a good day out for families, with the emphasis on fun.

The guest of honour was veteran ex-Labour politician Tony Benn.

Also attending was actor Ricky Tomlinson, who plays dad Jim in the hugely popular TV show The Royle Family.

Before he became a star, Ricky was a well-known union activist.

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