Durham Miners Gala's £15,000 appeal to fund Big Meeting improvements

The organisers of the 134th Big Meeting, to be held on Saturday, July 14, have decided they need to draft in big screens and a better sound system to ensure the crowd can see and hear the speeches on the Racecourse Ground.

Up to 80,000 people are estimated to have been on the field for last year’s address, and this year’s will once again feature Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn among the speakers.

The event costs about £250,000 to stage, and the Marras appeal is asking people to support the campaign with additional cash to put on the extras, which are among a series of improvements in the pipeline for the event.

The day attracts about 220,000 people, with Durham County Council supporting the running of the celebrations with road closures and barriers and Durham Constabulary ensuring the day is policed.

Alan Cummings, secretary of the Durham Miners’ Association, said: “What we are looking at is trying to raise an amount because people come to hear our speakers, but only half can see or hear them.

“We’ve been a victim of our own success, and we are grateful for the ordinary people who have become our friends through the Marras of Durham Big Meeting, but we know they will want to see their donation go to something they can then see the benefit of.

“People need to be able to hear and see the Labour leader and the next Labour Prime Minister.”

To support the appeal visit http://www.friendsofdurhamminersgala.org/.