DURHAM MINERS ANNUAL GALA 1970's BRITAIN (13 images)

The Durham Coal Miners Gala developed out of the miners' trade unionism, with the first Union being established in 1869. The Durham Miners' Union organised the first Gala, which was held in 1871 in Wharton Park, Durham. It developed into the largest unofficial miners and trade union gathering in the United Kingdom. At its peak the Gala attracted over 250,000 people approximately 6 times the population of Durham city itself. Colliery Pit Banners would traditionally be taken on foot from its...
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The Durham Coal Miners Gala developed out of the miners' trade unionism, with the first Union being established in 1869. The Durham Miners' Union organised the first Gala, which was held in 1871 in Wharton Park, Durham. It developed into the largest unofficial miners and trade union gathering in the United Kingdom. At its peak the Gala attracted over 250,000 people approximately 6 times the population of Durham city itself. Colliery Pit Banners would traditionally be taken on foot from its particular colliery into Durham city, and the event was marked by large unions of men marching on the roads leading into the city. The socialist, and often communist, nature of the miners' unionism found expression in the Gala. In particular, the banners contain several images of notable socialist communist figures, and captions capture similar sentiments. The Gala was cancelled from 1915-18 (due to the First World War), 1921, 1922, and 1926 (all due to strikes), and again from 1940-45 due to the Second World War. The effect of the 1984-85 miners' strike, which saw miners across the Durham Coalfield strike, also led to the Gala being called off in 1984. The closure of collieries in County Durham, particularly after the Second World War, reduced the numbers attending the Gala. Nonetheless, even if a colliery was closed, the banner was often still marched. The centenary Gala was held in 1983.
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