What a glorious day

It was a brilliantly sunny day for the 125th Big Meeting and it was a bumper turnout for this historic day.

The cobbled streets of Durham City were packed with tens of thousands of people who had gathered to celebrate the Region’s mining heritage and culture.

As well as the huge crowds, there were a record number of bands and banners in the customary march from the Market Place to the Racecourse.

Visiting bands from as far afield as Leeds, Manchester and Scotland joined the traditional brass bands from our former colliery villages and towns. There were also groups of contemporary musicians from across the world bringing a new music to add to the brilliant entertainment and bring a cross-cultural feel to this world-famous day.

There were four new banners paraded this year - East Hetton, South Hetton, Westoe and Boldon. Also, two schools brought their own banners to the gala - Seaham’s Westlea Primary School in and Bowburn Primary School.

This year's gala coincided with two anniversaries. It is 25 years since the last miners' strike and 100 years since the West Stanley pit disaster in which 168 men and boys died.

As usual, the atmosphere was great and nothing can match the sight and sounds of the crowds clapping and cheering as the banners and bands make their way to Durham Racecourse.

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