“I’m proud to support the Friends of Durham Miners’ Gala and the Marras campaign. All the money raised goes to paying for the costs of running the Gala and sponsoring bands.
It is amazing that the Gala goes from strength to strength even though the last pit closed 22-years-ago. Then, everyone thought the Gala would fold but the people of the county have been joined by trades unionists from all over Britain and beyond.
It is phenomenal that people still value their culture, heritage and communal values in such a positive display of solidarity. It makes me even more proud to be from the North East and the son of a miner. It’s that pride that I’m sure brings people back to the Gala year after year, generation after generation.”
- Alun Armstrong is a County Durham-born actor and director who starred in Our Friends in the North and New Tricks.