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DURHAM MINERS GALA - THE ORIGINAL BIG MEET SAT 9th JULY

Durham Miners Gala is next Saturday 9th July. Get there early to either the Town to see the scores of Bands gather and march with the mining lodge banners from all over the country, or the old racecourse to see them playing into the parade field.
Great Day out and over 125 years of history of Miners meeting in Durham, with Brass Bands leading all the old and new banners through the streets to the old racecourse.
Lots of food, coffee and beer tents, book stalls, miners lamps and checks, Justice for Mineworkers and other mining stands, speeches from leading political figures and maybe 100,000 people there having a great time.
Enjoy this historical event and join in the fantastic atmosphere. Make the effort and go, you'll not regret it.

Re: DURHAM MINERS GALA - THE ORIGINAL BIG MEET SAT 9th JULY

Directions and car parking for Durham Gala.
Leave the A1M on the A177 towards Bowburn and Durham. About a half mile from Durham there are wide grass verges outside the University sports grounds, you will see cars beginning to park up on them (earlier you are, the nearer you can get to the destination!). You can park here, unless you know a park in the City. Walk towards the City, go up a wooded incline on the A177 and you come to a roundabout, take the right hand road through the houses, then down the hill past the prison. The Old Racecourse parade ground is on the right. Walk straight on if you want to see the bands and banners parading through the streets and city.

Re: DURHAM MINERS GALA - THE ORIGINAL BIG MEET SAT 9th JULY

or let the train take the strain, i went from doncaster it was a very nice scenic ride.

Re: DURHAM MINERS GALA - THE ORIGINAL BIG MEET SAT 9th JULY

Good idea Bill.

What ticket do you buy? Durham City? Where do you get off, is there a suburbs station near the ground? And how far to walk in which direction?

Re: DURHAM MINERS GALA - THE ORIGINAL BIG MEET SAT 9th JULY

4 YR AGO, £29 RETURN, TRAIN TAKES INTO CITY SHORT WALK DOWN HILL INTO TOWN WHERE MARCHING STARTS, MARCH TAKES ABOUT 2 HRS AS ITS STOP/START AS ALL BANDS PLAY A TUNE IN FRONT OF TOWN HALL FOR DIGNITARIES, ID SAY ITS ABOUT 15 MIN WALK IF STREETS EMPTY (WHICH THEY WONT BE) TO THE PLAYING FIELDS. PS THE WALK BACK TO TRAIN STATION IS OBVIOUSLY UPHILL, DONT DRINK TOO MUCH, HAVE A NICE DAY.

Re: DURHAM MINERS GALA - THE ORIGINAL BIG MEET SAT 9th JULY

The Big Meet … are you sure , is not this the province of
David Barrie, are you Mr Birdsall jumping on the bandwagon ,,,

Re: DURHAM MINERS GALA - THE ORIGINAL BIG MEET SAT 9th JULY

I HAD HOPED MULLINER WAS EXPIRED AS WE HAD NOT HEARD FROM HIM FOR AGES. But this may just be another immitator.
Big Meet Durham and Big Meet Pleasley are Chalk and Cheese.
Big Meet Durham is a Miner's annual Gala of Banners, Brass Bands, Speeches and Fun, attracting over 100,000 people and has been running 127-ish years.
Big Meet Pleasely is the annual Lamp Collectors Fair, running up to four years and attracting a few hundred visitors interested in Miners Lamps and similar.
TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. Same as Washington in North East of UK is different from Wahington USA!!!!