Burnhope village recreated 1926 General Strike Miners’ Gala

About 40,000 people descended on Burnhope in July 1926 when the annual miners’ gala moved from Durham for the first and only time in its history.

The event took place in the village, about seven miles from the city, after the gala could not be held in Durham because miners were locked out of their pits during the general strike.

Burnhope Gala Centenary (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The “forgotten gala’s” centenary has now been commemorated with a community celebration aimed at preserving the village’s heritage.

Burnhope residents Cindy and David Brockington realised the anniversary was approaching and asked the community to help organise a commemorative event.

Burnhope Gala Centenary (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Hayley Gibson volunteered and became the event manager for the Saturday celebrations.

She said: “The idea was brought up by the village heritage group after they realised it was 100 years since the village held the miners gala.

“Saturday was absolutely fantastic we had Morpeth pipe band and Backworth Colliery and Consett brass band playing.

“Loads turned out and we made a real day of it on a field offered up by a resident.

“We had stalls, live music, entertainment, a funfair and loads more.

“We paraded through the village and they were followed by the miners’ banners, it was a real spectacle.

“The most special part was a group of men all from Burnhope village joined a band together just for this celebration called the Pitt Village Pirates.

Burnhope Gala Centenary (Image: STUART BOULTON)

” It was really special, everybody got involved and the feedback we’ve had this morning has just been phenomenal, we even had volunteers from the age of ten, Maisie, who had her own stall to 90-year-old Harry who helped us restore the banners.”

Burnhope Gala Centenary (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The original 1926 event was attended by Miners’ Federation secretary AJ Cook, who was “smuggled” into the village on a farmer’s cart.

Cook, remembered for the phrase “Not a penny off the pay, not a second on the day”, spoke at the gala for about 90 minutes.