The Big Meeting

The colourful banners of the Miners' Gala procession, making its way down Elvet and past the County Hotel balcony where Labour and Union leaders 'take the salute'.

With the added significance of its being the 25th Anniversary of the Miners Strike and an approaching General Election, many of us will be on the old Racecourse to listen to the leaders of our movement giving their views on the main political issues facing our country.

But, above all else, Durham is about working people. The initial Big Meeting was called to celebrate the fact that united action by the Miners had broken the grip of the Coal Owners. It marked the end of bonded labour whereby every man had to sign up to his employer. His job, his home and his family were all in hock to the owner, and woe betide anyone who had the temerity to break the bond.

Thankfully, the Miners of Durham did just that in the late 1860s and they started an event that celebrated the fact that working people were not slaves and they came together every year to prove the fact of their liberation.

It is also true that the day, as always, will see its fair share of the intake of liquid refreshments, of singing and dancing and of generally having a good time. Of course, there will be the traditional sound of brass but that will also be complemented by a traditional Mexican marching band and an Austrian group with a "polka-rock-pop-punk sound."

It will be a time to meet up with old marras, to talk about the hard times and the better times. It will be a chance to catch up with friends and relatives who are a little older - perhaps a little slower - but just as committed as ever to the Big Meeting and what it means.

It will be a chance to meet the new addition to the ranks, be it the bairns born since last summer, or new comrades from around the country or around the world such as the two Miners who have been invited to Durham from Kosovo. And it will also rekindle great memories of the men and women who are no longer with us.

I always think of my own Dad as we stand at the top of Elvet awaiting our turn to go down to the County Hotel. The sound of the bands bouncing through the narrow streets always brings a tear to my eye.

It's a combination of immense pride in the history of our people and intense anger that we no longer have the industry that created our way of life.

For one group of people today's meeting will be ever more poignant than normal. As usual, the people of Greenside will be bringing their banner into Durham after parading proudly through their village. But this year they won't, sadly, be led by Norman Armstrong, the man who oversaw the re-birth of their colliery banner. Norman passed away two weeks after last year's Gala, a victim of asbestos related cancer.

Last year's procession in the village diverted to his home where the band played for him as he lay ill.

One of the greatest privileges of my life was to be asked by Norman's great wife Jean to carry the banner at his funeral. Jean will be there today with her family around her while her sons, George and Neil, proudly march into Durham with their Dad's banner held high.

There will be many such stories today; examples of men and women who gave themselves willingly to their community, to make life a little better for all around them and to recognise that the really important things in life cannot be measured in pounds and pence, but by values that stand the test of time.

Why not come to Durham today. You won't regret it and you will come back.

Return to Homepage

Promoted by Paul Foy on behalf of Dave Anderson, both of St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5PT