Durham Miners Gala magnet

Description

Durham Miners Gala magnet. Free UK shipping. A landscape plastic fridge magnet with a photograph of the crowds, local village brass bands and Miners’ Banners being marched across Elvet Bridge, towards the Royal County Hotel.

The Durham Miners’ Gala is a large annual gathering and labour festival held on the second Saturday in July in the city of Durham, England. It is associated with the coal mining heritage (and particularly that of miners’ trade unionism) of the Durham Coalfield, which stretched throughout the traditional County of Durham. It is also locally called “The Big Meeting” or “Durham Big Meeting”. In the context of the Durham Miners’ Gala, “gala” is usually pronounced /ˈgeɪlə/ rather than the more common pronunciation /ˈgɑːlə/.

Its highlight consists of a parade of banners, each typically accompanied by a brass band, which are marched to the old Racecourse, where political speeches are delivered. In the afternoon a miners’ service is held in Durham Cathedral, which may include the blessing of any new banners. The gala developed out of the miners’ trade unionism, the first union being established in 1869. The Durham Miners’ Association organised the first gala, which was held in 1871 in Wharton Park, Durham. At its peak during the 1950s and 1960s the gala attracted more than 300,000 people. Despite the decline and eventual closure of all of Britain’s deep mines the event has continued and in the 2000s has attracted attendances estimated at 100,000.

The size of the Durham Miners Gala magnet, is 76x50mm. The magnet has a stand in the back which pushes into a slot in the back so that the magnet can stand up.

This photograph is also available as a Greeting Card, this can be found here.

Shipping of the Durham Miners Gala magnet is via Royal Mail 2nd Class large letter, with 1st Class available. International shipping is also available.