Enthusiasm, pride and
rain by the bucketful
117th Durham Miners Gala
Sat July 14th, 2001
| The banners sailed through the driving rain, the bands boomed out, rivers of water pouring down the bandsman's faces and instruments, but the crowds still came. The leftists hawked their wears among, the palm readers, and kids rides but the last word was definitely that of the weather. It stopped families sitting out on the green picnicking and listening to the speakers, it drove the kids from their rides and put the dampers on everything. Still Durham is a memorable sight and something to behold that just will not die. Class War had their first stall ever at the gala, but with bucket full's of water flooding down it was hardly worth putting the incendiary literature down. Only about four Yorkshire banners came this year which is sad, and we cant say we noticed a Yorkshire band come to think of it, though maybe they had been washed away. |
Davie Hopper the General Secretary of the Durham Miners said of the election of another New Labour Government " We hope that we now see a more radical government which seriously tackles the many problems facing working people and their communities.
The first priority as far as we are concerned must be the question of compensation payments to former mineworkers for the industrial diseases chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and vibration white finger.
Despite many assurance from members of the government that payments would be speeded up we are still having tremendous delays in the settling of the claims. If nothing is done and claims continue to be settled at the present rate it will take eight years to clear the backlog. Our members are becoming increasingly angry and we cannot allow this situation to prevail.
The government have given subsidies to the private coal owners and they have compensated the farming industry. Surely they should compensate people who gave their lives to this industry ? Our old members want justice now, not when they are dead. Perhaps direct action is needed to remind the New Labour hierarchy that thousands of our people cannot wait any longer for compensation. Although some local MPs have been active on our behalf it may be that other Labour MPs elected by the Durham coalfield will be moved into action if their local offices are lobbied by elderly miners and miners widows "
Strong words and strong commitment from David Hopper one of the most honest and sincere men in the NUM and quite typical of the North East officials.
The Big Meeting is no stranger to heckling, at one time it became a tradition. Jim Callaghan was roundly condemned from the crowd for the introduction of �The social contract� and the �incentive scheme�.
Earlier George (foot in mouth) Brown being heckled by a long haired miner wearing a cloth cap about Labours Special Relationship with the USA in Vietnam, replied with a flourish "If you�d have your hair cut young man some of us older people may take more notice of you !". To which the coup-de-grace was delivered as the �young man� in question dramatically removed his hat, to reveal a totally bald head, to resounding applause from the mass crowd.
The year after the strike the crowd was so disgusted with Kinnock as soon as he took the stage, they simply turned their backs in their hundreds gathered up the bairns and walked away.
Prescott of course got his recently over the Liverpool Dockers and much else, to such an extent New Labour only ever responds to invitations for Dennis Skinner afraid that the wrath of the crowd might take them to task for their treachery.
This year the dignitaries on the balcony of the Grand Hotel were, despite the rain subject to energetic heckling, but it was only from the contingent of Australian miners with their pipe band and banner, taking the piss over England�s cricket performance.
The gala speakers this year where Dave Prentis , UNISON General Secretary, Dennis Skinner MP, Dr Lynne Jones MP. Michael Rix, ASLEF General Secretary.
It was great to see the platform reflected in so many non-NUM Union banners.
 |
The Durham Area President David Guy, made the point, "During the last four years the division between rich and poor has increased priority must be given to our senior citizens. We are benefiting from the contribution which they made to society during their working lives and they have earned a right to a fair share in the nations wealth. If the government seriously wishes to eradicate poverty then the link between average earnings and pensions must be restored, bringing to an end the loathsome means test and ensuring that pensioners can live in dignity." |
"Despite meeting government ministers many times to try and speed up the payment of compensation to our members suffering from chronic bronchitis and vibration white finger we are still experiencing delays. Although we have over 7,500 applications awaiting medical examinations the examination process for chronic bronchitis and emphysema in the North East can only accommodate a meagre two examinations a week. At this rate it will take another two Labour administration's before justice is done. Do our sick and infirm members, the widows and families of the deceased have to picket the constituency offices of MPs before something is done ?
His final comment, "I would like to congratulate Jim Parry and other NUM trustees of the Mineworkers Pension Scheme for achieving the right to retire for all Members of the scheme. Details of this will be published in the MPs newsline. "
An intriguing comment which would seem to address at least one of our
correspondents on our Guest book / comment page about working miners being
able to retire at 50. We presume, and we don't know yet , this is what
Davie Guy is referring to, which if correct is one step forward. The next
one is to have retirement at 50 on full pensions. The government has after
all deducted quite enough already from our pension fund, without trustees
deducting still more because of an earlier retiring age.
|
The Durham Gala, celebrated 50's style! |
The Durham Gala defies description, particularly if your a mineworker, a former mineworker or the wives, widows or kids of miners. It is something you experience with your heart , perhaps your soul. Come to Durham, and not be deeply moved, not possible unless you are already in the back of a hearse.
DD.
Addendum
Correction received via e-mail
In your report of Durham Gala you say that its the first time CW have
had a stall there - not strictly true. Tyneside CW used to attend with
a stall about 89 - 93 and probably a bit longer. We always got a great
reception and for many of the activists it was their first trip out to
the Big Day. For a few years we used to march as well - banner and all.
After Tyneside CW busted apart there was still an attendance but much
reduced.
Phil
This document maintained by Adge Covell.