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50,000 keep 'Big Meeting' alive
More than 50,000 people young and old lined the cobbled streets of Durham city to cheer on the banners and bands parading in this year's Durham Miners' Gala. RACHEL DUNN reports
ITS 122nd year and it is very clear that the Durham Miners' Gala still holds an important place in today's society.
Despite it being more than 13 years since the last North East pit closed, ex-miners and their communities still march behind their banners with pride.
Banners from former mining villages and were joined by 33 marching brass bands who in turn made a stop outside the Royal County Hotel to entertain the VIPs.
Among this year's VIPs lined up on the hotel balcony were Labour veteran Tony Benn and chairwoman of the Labour Party Hazel Blears.
The parade meandered its way to the Gala Field – the old Durham Racecourse – where crowds gathered at the main stage eager to hear the speeches from union bosses and political leaders.
Among those addressing the crowds were Dave Guy, president of the Durham Miners' Association, Dave Hopper, general secretary, and Steve Kemp, general secretary of the National Union of Miners.
Speaking on behalf of the unions were Derek Simpson, general secretary of Amicus, Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison and Bob Crow, general secretary of RMT.
Dave Hopper gave the vote of thanks to speakers, officials, VIPs and the communities still supporting the Gala – but not before voicing his disappointment with Tony Blair.
"He is the only Prime Minister not to attend the gala in his 10 years of power," said Mr Hopper.
"Just up the road from here a band has come from his village with probably four or five hundred people and he can't even be bothered to come along and show his support for the people who voted him in."
Ex-miners and communities march with pride behind their banners
Parents and pupils march to save school
MORE than 40 teachers, parents and pupils from Shotton Hall School joined this year's march waving banners and flags in a last-ditch attempt to save their school from closure.
Head Teacher Ian Mowbray said: "We are hear in an attempt to make the County Council think again about closing our school.
"The school is gong from strength to strength, we have never been so successful and not only is that being compromised by the proposed closure but it is also threatening the education of hundreds of kids.
"So we are marching today to make our feelings known."
Karen Wimpenny, of Peterlee has two sons – her eldest David, 14, is a year 9 pupil at Shotton Hall School and her youngest, 11-year-old Philip is due to start the school in September.
Karen said: "I chose Shotton Hall School because it offers the best education for my children and these young people here today are our future.
"By closing the school the standard of education could suffer therefore our future and their's will suffer too.
"Mr Mowbray has done wonders for the school to provide a great standard of education and all that is about to be taken away."
X-Factor stars on song
X-FACTOR stars Journey South entertained the crowds with a medley of tracks from their chart-topping album as well as the U2, Robbie Williams and Beatles classics that won them the votes of audiences nation-wide during the reality TV show.
But the climax of the day's entertainment came from Indian brass band Jaipur Kawa who proved that brass bands can be internationally diverse.
As the crowds began to filter away and bands marched back to their buses it was clear that spectators of all ages had a thoroughly enjoyable day.
New 'F' Pit banner
FRASER Kemp, MP for Houghton and Washington West, helped to carry the new Washington "F" Pit Banner.
The Washington "F" Pit banner was one of four new banners joining the gala.
It was commissioned by the Washington "F" Pit banner group after the former banner which is on display at Washington Gardeners Club was deemed to frail to fly.
The new banner, made by Chippenham designs, is a replica of the last banner produced before the closure of the pit in June 1968.
Tribute to the great turnout
THE Houghton and Lambton banners were back for the third year running since they were reinstated.
The banners were lead by ex-miner and "Big Meeting" patron George Rowe.
George's granddaughter Anna Ward, mascot for the Houghton and Lambton banners, marched loyally by her grandfather's side.
George said: "I am so proud to be here today as always promoting our mining heritage.
"This is the best turnout we have had behind the banners since we brought them back three years ago, the support gets better every year.
"And I wouldn't be surprised if this is a record turn-out for the gala because the crowds are just tremendous, they add to the colour and the atmosphere.
"This is just amazing, it shows how big a part the gala still plays in the hearts of the mining communities and old pit villages even though there isn't any pits open anymore.
"Even the young ones who can't remember the pits being open know that it is part of our heritage, like my granddaughter Anna who is our mascot.
"I would love to see the pits reopened but I can't see it happen any time in the near future but in 50 years time who knows."
'Nothing quite like it – a great day out'
MARY Cummings, 72, of County Durham said: "It's the first time I've been in years and what a great day I have had.
"I was very impressed by the banners and the bands sounded wonderful.
"I've never seen so many people at a gala since the '50s."
SIMON Cooper, 24, of Murton Colliery Brass Band, said: "This is the sixth year I have played at the gala and it's always a good day out.
"I don't think there is anything else quite like it."
DENISE Miller, 38, of Kelloe, Durham, said the gala is an annual day out that she shares with her friends and their young children.
She said: "The kids love it, we bring them every year.
"It's good that the children want to see and get involved with such an event that is usually associated with older people.
"I suppose it's because there is more for them to do these days."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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