Miners' leaders and university to meet in aftermath of student event upset

Bosses from Durham University and Durham Miners' Association will meet today to talk over to move on after a student rugby team caused outrage with a Miners v Thatcher event.
The rugby team from Trevelyan College had planned to hold an event based on the Battle or Orgreave.The rugby team from Trevelyan College had planned to hold an event based on the Battle or Orgreave.
The rugby team from Trevelyan College had planned to hold an event based on the Battle or Orgreave.

Representatives from both will gather this morning to "discuss positive ways forward from the offence caused by inappropriate and offensive student behaviour."

In a statement released by the DMA, it said the university's vice chancellor Stuart Corbridge called its leaders to apologise for the actions of Trevelyan College students, who had threatened to organise a planned social event based on a miners' strike theme.

Redhills in Durham, the base of Durham Miners' Association. Image copyright Google Maps.Redhills in Durham, the base of Durham Miners' Association. Image copyright Google Maps.
Redhills in Durham, the base of Durham Miners' Association. Image copyright Google Maps.
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The college rugby club had planned to dress up as police and miners to emulate the Battle of Orgreave, with the event scrapped after it caused uproar.

DMA chairman Joe Whitworth said: "We want to work with the university to see if we can learn some lessons from this incident.

"People have been deeply upset by the callous mockery of miners and mining communities.

"It is clear that the rugby club do not understand the sensitivities surrounding the miners' strike and the devastation of our communities after it.

Trevelyan College, which is part of Durham University. Image copyright Google Maps.Trevelyan College, which is part of Durham University. Image copyright Google Maps.
Trevelyan College, which is part of Durham University. Image copyright Google Maps.
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"We will invite the rugby club to our headquarters in Durham in an effort to progress their knowledge of the community in which they study.

"It is important that students from all social backgrounds understand how to live well with their neighbours.

"Understanding the history, heritage and culture of County Durham should be part of their education while they are in the city.

"We have agreed that we all need a positive outcome from this incident and we will be discussing the broader issues arising from it with the university.

Redhills in Durham, the base of Durham Miners' Association. Image copyright Google Maps.Redhills in Durham, the base of Durham Miners' Association. Image copyright Google Maps.
Redhills in Durham, the base of Durham Miners' Association. Image copyright Google Maps.
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"We have good working relationships with the university, its researchers, students and academics.

"These should not be spoiled by daft student antics."

Prof Corbridge said: “Durham University is proud to be part of the vibrant communities of County Durham and the wider North East.

"We will not tolerate this kind of distasteful and divisive behaviour.

Trevelyan College, which is part of Durham University. Image copyright Google Maps.Trevelyan College, which is part of Durham University. Image copyright Google Maps.
Trevelyan College, which is part of Durham University. Image copyright Google Maps.

"The planned event has been cancelled, the sports team involved has been de-ratified and will use our disciplinary procedures to take appropriate actions.

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"Moving forward, it is clear that we can do more to ensure that our students are properly informed about the history and the heritage of the communities who kindly host them during their university careers.

"I am grateful to the DMA for helping us start that conversation”.

Durham City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods said: "I am delighted the University and the DMA have worked together quickly on this.

"It has caused real offence to the people of the city and the county as a whole.

"I am pleased the DMA have offered to educate students about the importance of our mining communities and their history."