150th Anniversary of the Durham Miners' Gala

Motion Text

That this House celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Durham Miners’ Gala or the Big Meeting; expresses severe regret at the cancellation of the Gala for the second consecutive year but commends the Durham Miners Association for prioritising public health; welcomes the news that County Durham Miners Banners Groups will instead organise events in communities across the county this summer; recognises the important historical and cultural ties between the mining industry and County Durham; further recognises miners and the National Union of Mineworkers for their contributions to the labour movement, trade unionism, and the Labour Party; thanks miners for their economic and cultural contribution to Durham and Britain across centuries; looks forward to the refurbishment of Redhill's Durham Miners Hall and transformation into a cultural centre; further looks forward to the resumption of the Big Meeting in 2022; commends the Marras for the announcement that all banner groups will be paid double band allowance next year to help with the financial stress caused by the covid-19 outbreak; and encourages everyone to become a Marra.