Miners' banners on display in Durham
Enshrined in Durham Cathedral is a new exhibition which marks both the 40th anniversary of the miners’ strike and the mining heritage of the North East. Tony Henderson reports
The long lasting bond between a cathedral and the surrounding former mining communities has been further strengthened by a new exhibition of 40 pit banners.
Solidarity Forever: Banners of the Durham Mining Community at Durham Cathedral marks the 40th anniversary of the bitter miners’ strike.
The display features original, restored and replica banners. Most display the name of their colliery and union branch or ‘lodge’, together with religious or political images and mottos.
Backing the exhibition, which runs until November 7, are the Durham Mining Communities Banner Groups Association, the Women’s Banner Group and Durham Miners Association.
Although the Durham coalfield is no more, the miners’ Durham Gala each July continues to thrive, when the banners are paraded. Since 1896, a miners’ festival service has been held in the cathedral on the afternoon of Gala day. At the service, new union lodge banners are dedicated and blessed by the Bishop of Durham
The first Durham Miners’ Gala, or ‘Big Meeting,’ was held in 1871. It began as a demonstration of the miners’ solidarity, showing employers that they were united and would stand up for their rights. The Gala developed into the largest unofficial miners and trade union gathering in the UK.
The cathedral’s resident archaeologist, Norman Emery, who is secretary of the banner group in his home former pit village of Esh Winning, said: “These banners are the communities’ heritage, and reflect the struggles of the past for political reform, improvements in social conditions, and the desire to move forward.
“There has always been a close link between the cathedral and communities.”
Revd Canon Michael Hampel, Vice-Dean and Precentor of Durham Cathedral, said: “A highlight of the year is the Big Meeting. It brings the banners up to the cathedral.
“When there was talk of an exhibition of banners to mark the 40th anniversary of the miners’ strike, Durham Cathedral seemed to be the obvious venue, and we were very glad to be able to say a big ‘yes’ to these magnificent emblems of the communities of the North East.
“I remember talking recently to the Durham Miners Association and asked ‘what does it mean to you to come to the Cathedral each July’ and they said a very beautiful thing: ‘when we walk into the cathedral we know that we still matter’.
“I think that is a very powerful comment. The mining community matters very much.”
The Cathedral’s links with coal go back a long way. Coal was a valuable source of income for the medieval Durham Priory, and between the 1100s and 1500s, the monks mined coal in around 40 places in County Durham.
After the Reformation, many of the Priory lands were transferred to the new Dean and Chapter of Durham Cathedral, and continued to provide a steady income. By 1830, a quarter of the cathedral’s total income came from coal.
Andrew Usher chief officer: visitor experience and enterprise said: “We are honoured to be hosting the miners’ banners. Durham Cathedral and the local mining communities have strong links dating back to the 1800s and this exhibition not only tells the story of the region's mining heritage but is a celebration of the fantastic local banners representing each colliery and the community spirit that continues in the region.”
Patricia Simmons from the Durham Mining Communities Banner Groups Association, said: “We are encouraging the former mining communities and the younger generation to recognise the importance that these vibrant and colourful banners have in the history of Durham and the stories they portray.
“The Group’s aim is to restore the many original banners or to replace with new banners in order to celebrate the lives of miners both past and present who despite overcoming many adversities formed the communities we have today.
“Throughout the country the Durham Miners Gala is one of the finest displays of these beautiful storytelling banners that form part of our heritage. To be able to have this exhibition in the historical grandeur of Durham Cathedral demonstrates how committed we are in continuing to celebrate the past but looking to the future.”
The Haswell Colliery banner is on permanent display at the cathedral. The colliery was the scene of an explosion which killed 95 men and boys in 1844. The banner dates from 1893 and was laid up in the cathedral in 1989.
In the South Nave aisle is the Miners’ Memorial, dedicated in 1947 to ‘…the Durham Miners who have given their lives in the pits of this county, and those who work in darkness and danger in those pits today.’
Next to it is a Book of Remembrance, with a pit lamp hanging above it. It lists the many men and boys who lost their lives in accidents while working in Durham collieries.
Five Bishops of Durham in particular hold a special place in the memories of the region’s miners:
Brooke Foss Westcott (1890 – 1901)
Negotiated between the pitmen and employers during the 1892 strike. Helped found the Durham Aged Mineworkers’ Homes Association.
Handley Moule (1901 – 20)
Visited the pithead and bereaved families after the West Stanley Colliery disaster of 1909, where 168 men and boys died. Wrote a miners’ hymn O Christ, thine eyes of light and love.
Alwyn Williams (1939 – 52)
Dedicated the Cathedral’s Miners’ Memorial in 1947. Visited the pithead following the Easington Colliery disaster of 1951.
Ian Ramsay (1966 – 72)
Showed a strong concern for the mining communities. One of the guest speakers at the 1971 Gala, where he praised the Durham miners and their union as a ‘shining example’ to other industries.
David Jenkins (1984 – 94)
Spoke out during the Miners’ Strike of 1984-85 saying the miners ‘must not be defeated’. Criticised the Government’s indifference to ‘poverty and powerlessness’.
The exhibition reflects on the strike and initial Government plans to close 20 pits which were a threat to the communities which depended on coal for jobs and were being offered no alternative.
“It was a strike for the right to work, a brutal struggle lasting a full year, but despite protests the closures went ahead, soon followed by many more.”
The last colliery on the Durham Coalfield, Wearmouth, closed in 1994. It marked the end of an era for the region that once had 304 pits, employing 165,000 men.
The Rev Hampel said: “The mines have gone but the people survive and so do their banners. As we witness our mining heritage, we remember past hurts and pray for healing.”
The exhibition is on display until November 7. For more information, visit the Durham Cathedral website.