TheMiners Gala is an annual event held in the city of Durham, England. Thistraditional march is steeped in heritage and history with the event dating backto 1871. The tradition developed due to the formation of a miner’s trade unionand soon became one of the largest unofficial union gatherings in the UK.
Although the mining trade in the UK is heavily diminished compared to itsheyday the Gala still commences, with banners from former colliery towns andvillages still being paraded through the heart of Durham although now there areattendees from other unions not historically associated with mining. Themajority of banners are accompanied by predominantly brass bands each band willtake it in turns to perform a set piece for local dignitaries who traditionallystand on the balcony of a local hotel.




This set of pictures was taken at the 2012 Gala