Skip to main content
Work with the NEU
Durham, our school of socialism, our day of pride
HEATHER WOOD, national secretary of Women Against Pit Closures charts her journey and the journey mining community women like her, from 1984 to Durham Gala 2024, explaining why this day remains vital for families decades after closures
INDOMITABLE: The Welsh contingent of miner’s wives and their supporters cross Westminster Bridge during a protest march enroute to a rally at Burgess Park, London on August 11 1984

FOLK ask me why the Big Meeting is so special. My answer is always the same.

It’s our day, a day when we celebrate who we are, it’s a day when we fly the flag, our flag, the red flag. It’s the day we hold our banners high, it’s the day when we show our children what solidarity means.

I always think of our communities as families and I think it’s best explained by telling folk about my theory of the three worlds.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Protesters form a blockade outside weapons manufacturer BAE Systems in Govan, Glasgow, in protest over the Israel-Gaza conflict and calling for an immediate ceasefire to halt the killing of civilians in Palestine. Picture date: Wednesday May 1, 2024
Workers' Rights / 18 October 2025
18 October 2025

Witnessing a war of words at a meeting on tackling militarism at The World Transformed, BEN COWLES spoke to a union rep who is organising against war from inside the arms industry itself, to hear about worker-led solutions to ending weapons production

Heather
Durham Miners’ Gala 2025 / 12 July 2025
12 July 2025

The Big Meeting isn’t simply nostalgia, it’s a happy day and a day to show resistance. HEATHER WOOD explains why

Joanne Thomas campaigning for safe shopwork
Durham Miners’ Gala 2025 / 12 July 2025
12 July 2025

Incoming Usdaw general secretary JOANNE THOMAS talks to Ben Chacko about workers’ rights, Labour and how to arrest the decline of the high street

Alan Mardghum
Durham Miners’ Gala 2025 / 11 July 2025
11 July 2025

Durham Miners’ Association general secretary ALAN MARDGHUM speaks to Ben Chacko ahead of Gala Day 2025