Communities across County Durham will come together this summer to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Durham Miners’ Gala.
First held in 1871, the Gala has been cancelled for the second year running due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2021 Gala was due to take place on Saturday 10 July.
For a century and a half people from across the region have travelled to Durham for The Big Meeting, the annual celebration of community, solidarity and working-class life.
This year, a series of ‘little big meetings’ will be held in more than a dozen communities – from Greenside in the north to Shildon in the south – bringing people together in the spirit of the Gala to mark the event’s 150th anniversary.
It had been hoped events could be held on what would have been Gala day (July 10), but have been rearranged following changes to the government’s roadmap out of lockdown. READ MORE HERE.
Durham Miners’ Gala 150th anniversary community events (check back for more details and updates as they become available):
31 July
Parade to Horden Welfare Park begins at 10.30am
7 August
Hackworth Park 11am - 4pm
14 August
Hetton School 12noon - 8pm
Shotton Community Hub 11am - 4pm
21 August
Redhills: Durham Miners Hall
1pm – 4pm
Sacriston
11am to 4pm
Band performance - 1.30pm - 2.30pm
28 August
Harton and Westoe
Miners Welfare from 12 noon
29 August
Greenside Cricket Club
1pm – 5pm
3-5 September
4 September
Washington
Usworth Park
1pm – 4pm
12 September
Parade from West Rainton Primary School to St Mary’s Church starts 10.30am
25 September
Village Hall
11am – 5pm
31 October
Brockwell Centre
2pm – 5pm
150th ANNIVERSARY ENAMEL BADGE
The 150th anniversary of the Gala is also being marked with a new souvenir enamel badge.
The deep red hard enamel badge in the style of a miners’ banner features detailing in raised gold metal.
The badge measures 25mm high by 20.8mm wide.
The badge is priced at £5 including postage and packing.
All proceeds will go to the Marras – Friends of Durham Miners Gala to help fund the return of the Gala in 2022.