Durham Miners' Association

We put the shocking photo of the father protecting his child on the front cover of Tribune 25 years ago. It didn’t all start on October 7th.

Tony Benn enjoying his first Gala in '62. He wrote: “I watched from the balcony the whole of human life go by;from tiny babies to old miners in wheelchairs. And the banners-they’re about peace & hope. It’s a tremendously moral event & there were times I had tears in my eyes”(2/2)

The great Tony Benn spoke at the Gala for the first time #OnThisDay in 1962. He fell in love with the day and returned every summer for the rest of his life. He spoke from the platform more times than anyone in the Gala’s 154-year history. (1/2)

Keir Hardie became the first leader of the Labour Party to speak at the Gala #OnThisDay in 1906. The former coal miner had been elected the party's first leader months earlier. Hardie's portrait features on several @DurhamMiners banners, inc the Heworth banner pictured.

ORGREAVE INQUIRY ANNOUNCED! The government have announced an inquiry will take place into Orgreave. Please see and share our press release otjc.org.uk/orgreave-truth…

The DMA welcomes the announcement of an inquiry into the events at Orgreave. We hope this inquiry will reveal the true extent of state violence against miners whose only crime was standing up and fighting for their jobs and communities. Read more: durhamminers.org/durham_miners_…

Dr @hzomlot with one of the most powerful speeches ever made at the #BigMeeting: "I confess to you, I do sometimes struggle for hope, to see any light in this darkness, but then I see the steadfastness of my people. I hear the laughter of our children.” youtu.be/VNE08nHxi8A?si…

(4/4) Ensure the history of the #DurhamMinersGala continues to be written. Join our band of Marras today: friendsofdurhamminersgala.org/join_us

More than 250,000 people marched through the streets of Durham. Though the war was over, hardships remained. As the Durham Advertiser reported, a shortage of beer meant “the Durham miner came sober to the Gala, and sober he went away.” (3/4)

Attlee told the Durham miners: “You are in the highest possible degree partners with us in this great adventure of building up a new Britain.” He was joined by Hugh Dalton (who announced family allowance), Nye Bevan, Ernest Bevin, and US Ambassador Averell Harriman. (2/4)

#OnThisDay in 1946: the #DurhamMinersGala returned after a six-year hiatus during the Second World War. Huge crowds packed the city and Clement Attlee became the first Prime Minister to address The Big Meeting... (1/4)

“Put your tokens in. You did your stint...” Everyone at the DMA is saddened to learn of the passing of Tot Holyoak. Among the longest lived of Durham miners, Tot has passed away aged 101 years old. Read more: durhamminers.org/tot_holyoak

Nye Bevan spoke at the #DurhamMinersGala for the seventh and final time #OnThisDay in 1959. He said: “This movement is going to survive as a democracy, not as a bureaucracy”. Nye passed away ten days before the following year’s Gala, at the age of 62.

Hartley Shawcross, the British Lead Prosecutor at the Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal, spoke at the #DurhamMinersGala for the final time #OnThisDay in 1954. In the aftermath of war, Shawcross served as Britain’s lead delegate to the United Nations. (1/3)

Remembering Dave Hopper, who passed away #OnThisDay in 2016, days after his last #DurhamMinersGala. As the DMA said at the time: “Dave was a passionate internationalist and anti-fascist who hated racism of all kinds. He supported all working people fighting oppression.”

Great celebration of working class solidarity at Durham Miners’ Gala this weekend. Great craic the beer banners and band’s phenomenal. First class speeches. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event!

The global movement for justice is growing. A historic day at a historic event: so much love, so much soliderity for 🇵🇸 at the 139th @DurhamMiners Gala today✊🏽

Our thanks to everyone who contributed the 139th #DurhamMinersGala. Work has started on the 140th. If you value the Gala, chip in and join our band of Marras here: friendsofdurhamminersgala.org/join_us

We are still here! Our thanks to everyone who made our 139th celebration of community spirit, trade unionism and international solidarity such a wonderful occasion. Help ensure that the #DurhamMinersGala is still here in 2026 – join our band of Marras: friendsofdurhamminersgala.org/join_us

“By the end of my speech, a Palestinian child will have been killed or maimed. Every sixteen minutes a Palestinian child is killed or maimed … I cannot believe how morally bereft one would have to be to justify Israel’s genocide.” - Dr Husam Zomlot