"Part of our heritage" - 15 fab photos as thousands line streets for Miners Gala

Around 200,000 people descended on Durham City from across the region today (July 11) for the 140th Durham Miners Gala and to remember the collieries, pit villages and mining heritage on which our region is built.

The streets were awash with colour and noise as colliery banners and flags were paraded through the city’s streets accompanied by brass bands from former mining communities from across Wearside, South Tyneside and the East Durham coalfields.

Brenda Britton, 72, has been attending the Miners Gala since she “was a little girl”.

Brenda, who grew up in Murton but now lives in Houghton-Le-Spring, said: “My dad was a miner at Murton Colliery and so we would come to the Big Meet every year. My dad would also sometimes carry the banner and for our family it was just an annual event.

“It’s immensely important we continue to remember our mining heritage and this is an amazing event.”

It was a sentiment shared by 67-year-old John Gillespie who lives in Durham City.

John said: “My dad was a miner at Bowburn and I’ve been coming to the Big Meet since I was seven years old. It’s very important we remember the miners as without them, this city wouldn’t be like it is today.”

Gary Wilkinson, 61, was at the ‘Big Meet’ with his sisters Tracy and Lisa.

Gary said: “My wife’s family were all miners and my two children are playing in two of the bands. It’s vital were preserve our ship building and mining heritage so the younger generations understand what the North East was built on.”

Check out these 15 fabulous photos capturing what has become traditionally known as the ‘Big Meet’.