Durham Miners Gala 2024

2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the 1984/85 miners' strike. Durham Miners' Gala is deeply significant to PCS members, many of whom are from families involved in the year-long struggle to save their communities 40 years ago.

Every year PCS reps meet together to march in solidarity alongside communities from former coalfields together with their brass bands and spectacular trade union banners.

Once on the showground members and their families can soak up the family-friendly atmosphere, enjoy the many international food stalls and gather at the main stage to hear inspirational speeches from key labour movement figures.

The Gala theme in this anniversary year is ‘Solidarity Forever’. A fitting keynote speaker is Heather Wood, of National Women Against Pit Closures who led women’s support groups during the 1984/85 strike.

Other speakers include union general secretaries Christina McAnea (Unison), Matt Wrack (FBU), Daniel Kebede (NEU) and Mick Whelan (ASLEF).

Join PCS at the Big Meeting

Our young members' network is running the PCS promotional stall located with the other trade union marquees.

Northern young members' convenor and NEC member Saul Cahill says: “The Miner's Gala is the first date I mark out in my diary every year. I first attended with my grandma and was struck by how powerful an event it was - a real celebration of class solidarity and community, crossing generations. On top of this, there's great friends that I've met or reconnected with at the Gala and I'm looking forward to the chance to see them all again this year!”

Join us in Durham on 13 July to enjoy this unique spectacle.

Assemble 9.30am Whitechurch Free House, Durham DH1 3DN. For further information please contact Simon Elliott, PCS Northern regional secretary at simon@pcs.org.uk.