Durham Miners' Gala - "We are still here"

This year’s Gala carried the defiant message: We Are Still Here. And for everyone who lined the streets, carried banners, or marched with their community, it rang true. The Big Meeting is no museum piece. It’s a living tradition – a celebration of who we are, where we’ve come from, and the future we are determined to build together. 

There were new moments of pride this year that made the day especially historic. For the first time, a Pride Bloc marched in the procession – a visible, joyful sign that the trade union movement is growing more inclusive and determined to uplift every part of our community. The collaboration between the Gala and Durham Pride reflects the best of our movement: unity across difference, and solidarity in action. 

That spirit of internationalism was also alive on the racecourse stage. The presence of the Palestinian Ambassador among this year’s speakers reminded us that the Gala has always stood with struggles for justice and peace around the world. From the Spanish Civil War to the fight against apartheid, and now to Palestine, the Gala continues to be a space where global solidarity finds a home. 

But it wasn’t only the speakers or the banners that made this year’s Gala extraordinary. It was the sheer strength of the crowd – the families, union delegations, retired miners, young workers, campaigners, and community groups who showed up in their tens of thousands. In a time when working people face rising inequality and attacks on their rights, the message couldn’t have been clearer: we will not be divided, and we are not going away. 

The launch of a limited-edition art print, We Are Still Here! by Bob and Roberta Smith, captured that message beautifully – listing the 77 communities still marching with banners, proud of their roots and determined to shape the future. A special Pride version of the print, raising funds for both the Gala and Durham Pride, underlined the shared values at the heart of both events. 

The Durham Miners’ Gala has never just been about remembering the past. It’s about organising for the future. At every Gala, the trade union movement renews its commitment to fight for decent work, properly funded public services, and a society built on care, equality and hope. 

The coal mines may have closed – but the movement they inspired is very much still here. And after this weekend’s extraordinary show of unity, we’re more determined than ever to keep marching on.