2013 Durham Miners' Gala - Video

A superb documentary video is available of the 2013 Durham Miners' Gala including interviews with Frances O'Grady, General Secretary of the TUC; Bob Crow, Kevin Maguire, Owen Jones, and Huw Beynon, labour historian. It ends with the dedication of the new banners in Durham Cathedral and lines from the Masque of Anarchy by Shelley quoted by Canon Giles Fraser in his sermon.
"Rise like Lions after slumber
In unvanquishable number,
Shake your chains to earth like dew
Which in sleep had fallen on you-
Ye are many — they are few"
http://vimeo.com/70606893

Durham - a reminder of our collective strength

The massive turnout at yesterday’s 129th Durham Miners Gala proved once again why it is the key event in the labour movement calendar bringing together trade unionists, political activists and other campaigning organisations to show the collective voice and strength of ordinary people.
   We should never forget our collective history, whilst looking to change the future - the 'Big Meeting' is a political event which reminds us of our collective strength.
   Speakers including TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady and Mirror journalist Kevin Maguire hammered home this point in well received speeches. A contingent of UNISON strikers from Future Directions in Rochdale received great support on the march:
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/10546842.Fun_in_the_sun_for_50_000_plus__as_police_hail_Durham_Miners__Gala_a_huge_success/

New website for Durham Miners Gala

The Durham Miners Association has now set up a website to encourage financial support for the Durham Miners Gala. http://www.durhamminers.org The site says: "Our Gala which was first held 142 years ago is the biggest celebration of trade union and community values in Britain today. It is an inspiration to all who participate and I am sure you will agree it must continue. Since our coalfield was finally destroyed 20 years ago by a vengeful Tory government we have had no regular subscription to our funds from working miners."

Trade unionism alive & kicking in Durham

A large UNISON contingent took part in Saturday’s 128th Durham Miners’ Gala, with dozens of branch banners on display on the march as well as regional delegations from Northern Ireland, North West and the host Northern Region. The presence of Ed Miliband, the first Labour leader since 1989 to attend the Gala and address the rally, ensured that this powerful celebration of trade union solidarity received national media attention: http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/content/view/full/121454