Not even the rain could deter visitors to the 138th Durham Miner's Gala, as bands, unions, members of the public, and groups took to Durham City on Saturday (July 13).
While the rain fell, ponchos and raincoats went on, but the carnival-style atmosphere didn't stop, as the bands played plenty of familiar tunes, including a rendition of 'Football's Coming Home'.
People from across the region and beyond travelled to the historic city with banners and brass bands to create a colourful carnival atmosphere.
As well as parade through the city’s cobbled streets there will be fairground rides for children as well as a range of stalls at Durham Racecourse later today.
This year the Big Meeting is commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Miners’ Strike, the UK’s most bitter and divisive industrial dispute.
The key timings for later today:
1pm: Durham Miners’ Association chairman Stephen Guy opens The Big Meeting, and guest speakers address the crowd.
2.30pm: The procession of bands and banners begins making its way to Durham Cathedral.
3pm: New banners are blessed during the Miners’ Festival Service at Durham Cathedral.
List of speakers at 2024 Durham Miners' Gala
The full line up of platform speakers is:
• Christina McAnea, General Secretary, Unison
• Ian Lavery, former miner, president of the NUM and MP for Wansbeck
• Matt Wrack, General Secretary, FBU
• Mick Whelan, General Secretary, Aslef
• Daniel Kebede, General Secretary, NEU
• Adriana Pella, CGT, the national trade union federation in Argentina
• Alan Mardghum, General Secretary, DMA
• Heather Wood, Women Against Pit Closures
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