A DRAMATIC painting depicting the Durham Miners' Gala has been commissioned to mark a veteran councillor's retirement.
The 5ft by 4ft oil painting, by George Robson, formerly a member of the National Union of Mineworkers, pays tribute to Councillor George Gill, who is stepping down as leader of Gateshead Borough Council.
It captures the spirit and excitement of the annual event, which has enjoyed continued support from the local authority.
Although he has been a local councillor for 29 years and leader of Gateshead council for 17 years, Coun Gill began his working life as an electrician at Chopwell Colliery, in west Gateshead.
It was then that he became a member of the Durham Miners' Association, which he has been involved with ever since.
The artwork, which took more than six weeks to complete, will hang permanently at Gateshead Civic Centre.
Coun Gill said: "It is a great honour to receive such an accomplished and vibrant portrait of one of the mining industry's most important dates in the calendar."
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