THE banners of the Women Against Pit Closures movement were raised on Saturday, launching a nine-day celebration of women’s protest at Beamish Mining Museum in County Durham.

Women in Protest has been organised by the museum in conjunction with National Women Against Pit Closures (NWAPC) marking the 40th anniversary of the 1984-85 miners’ strike against pit closures.

The programme will examine historic events and campaigns such as the 1795 food riots which became known as “the revolt of the housewives,” the suffragette movement and the life of Durham miner’s wife Annie Errington, a political activist and leader in the period between the two world wars.

Saturday’s events included a march through the pit village of Beamish with banners raised, followed by a gathering in the village’s Welfare Hall which included political re-enactments.

Heather Wood, who recently stood down as national secretary of NWAPC, said: “It was brilliant. We had about 600 people in the Welfare Hall.

“I heard one bairn ask her mum what all the banners were about. Her mum said it was because women had fought and that women wouldn’t have the vote if they hadn’t fought.”

Events during the week include an exhibition by East Durham Artists Network (Edan) inspired by the anniversary of the 1984-5 strike and the women of the Durham coalfield, mining-related films and a daily re-enactment of a suffragette march.

A “No More Nowt” family activity in the Welfare Hall will include children making protest placards on issues that are important to them today.