The Durham Miners’ Gala is the biggest working class event in the North of England (and second nationally only to the annual Tolpuddle Martyrs event) and I was lucky enough to experience it first hand this year (thanks Joe for the invite and the hospitality).
The gala began in the 19th Century and despite Thatcher closing almost all the mines in the North the event is still massively popular. All the NUM branches from across the North bring their banners and brass bands and march through the old city. When they pass the County hotel the stop, turn and face the balcony and play a song to the union leaders who gather up there. Its a bit like Red Square, without intercontinental ballistic missiles. there is a report on this year’s Gala on the BBC website.
You can have a look at more photos I took on flickr.
