Durham Miners' Association

With huge crowds expected at this year’s Durham Miners Gala, organisers have launched a new campaign to ensure the event remains a safe and peaceful day of celebration.

In its 150^th year, the Durham Miners’ Association (DMA) is calling on everyone who attends to respect the meaning and traditions of the Gala, the host city, and the workers and volunteers who deliver the event.

A floral display celebrating 150 years of the Durham Miners’ Association (DMA) is welcoming visitors to the city this summer. 

Depicting the DMA emblem, the display on Gilesgate roundabout was unveiled at the launch of Durham in Bloom. The DMA was founded on 20 November 1869 at a meeting at the Market Tavern in the city. 

The Durham Miners’ Association is calling on everyone in our communities to vote Labour in the upcoming European elections.

Our Executive Committee paid their respects to Durham Miners' Association stalwart Frank Shaw at his funeral yesterday.

Frank was a trade unionist for all his working life and continued to represent former miners as a full member of the DMA following his retirement.

A miner at Dawdon Colliery, he was active in Dawdon Lodge and served as lodge delegate. He also served as an Easington District Councillor.

Frank continued to play a full and active part in meetings of the DMA until shortly before his passing, at the age of 81.

DMA Secretary Alan Mardghum said: “Although we differed on how we could achieve a fairer, decent society, Frank always argued his point passionately and was a great advocate for working class communities. His passing leaves the world a poorer place. Our condolences go to Frank’s family at this sad time.”

Frank is pictured outside Redhills: Durham Miners Hall during his time as a member of our Executive Committee.

Frank was born on 17 December 1937 and died on 17 April 2019. His funeral was held at St Mary Magdalene Church, Seaham.

Durham Miners’ Association (DMA) is joining forces with Sunderland AFC in a new partnership celebrating the shared heritage of the two institutions.

The partnership will see Sunderland AFC support the work of the DMA, with the club becoming a ‘Marra’ – an official friend of the Durham Miners’ Gala. The Marras group was set up to ensure that, through donations and fundraising, the annual Gala can survive and thrive, and inspire generations to come.

The Durham Miners’ Association (DMA) has announced new leadership in its 150^th year, as it seeks to secure a vibrant legacy for the region’s coal mining heritage.

Alan Mardghum has said he is “proud and humbled” to begin work as the new President/ Secretary of the DMA, which was founded in 1869.

The Durham Miners’ Association and Labour MPs have welcomed the Government decision to finally recognise an industrial disease following a four-and-a-half-year campaign.

Dupuytren’s Contracture causes the fingers to curl over into a claw-like state, and can lead to amputation. Known as ‘Miner’s Claw’, the incurable condition is common among former pitmen. It also affected former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

A special fundraising event in celebration of the great Sir Bobby Robson will be held at the historic home of the Durham Miners. 

A screening of the new film about Sir Bobby, a former Durham miner, will be followed by a discussion and Q&A with some of the people who knew him best.

A new feature film will tell the unique and inspiring story of the Durham Miners' Gala.

The team behind the acclaimed Nature of the Beast – about legendary Labour MP Dennis Skinner – is making the new film with the endorsement of the Durham Miners' Association (DMA).

The Durham Miners’ Association has opposed opencast mining for many decades and support the locally lead campaign to protect Pont Valley in Co. Durham.

It damaged deep mining in the past and now threatens to ruin our environment for no perceivable benefit.

Our communities have suffered enough with the decline of the coal industry and they do not need to have more injury added to insult.

There are deep mining projects reopening in various parts of England. So, there is little need to rip up the countryside to get coal.