Mining Strikes
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Banner showing a scene from the 1984/5 strike at Doncaster Miners' Gala in 1991.
© National Coal Mining Museum for England (Photo: National Coal Mining Museum for England)
© National Coal Mining Museum for England (Photo: National Coal Mining Museum for England)
Banners have been very important to past mining communities and are still used by current and ex-mining communities today. These banners were made for individual union branches, usually based at collieries or colliery workshops. The banners were brought out when the community was trying to show solidarity such as at times of strike or lockout, and often headed the march back to work after a dispute.
Mining galas were a chance for mining communities to meet together, and marches with banners and brass bands were an important part of this. The Durham Gala, in the north east of England, is still held each year. There are no longer any working pits left in County Durham, but the gala helps to commemorate people's mining past. The powerful slogans used on banners may still strike a chord today.
Mining galas were a chance for mining communities to meet together, and marches with banners and brass bands were an important part of this. The Durham Gala, in the north east of England, is still held each year. There are no longer any working pits left in County Durham, but the gala helps to commemorate people's mining past. The powerful slogans used on banners may still strike a chord today.