EVERY year newly created banners from Durham’s former mining communities make their first appearance at the Gala.

Most new banners replace original banners that have either been lost following pit closures or have become too frail for use.
This year two new banners will make their appearance.

The Sherburn colliery banner last appeared at the Gala in 1965.

A banner support group was established in the community in 2012 and created a replica banner which was unveiled this year.

Also present will be the new banner of Haswell colliery, which was sunk in 1835.

After the Big Meeting, two brass bands will lead the two new banners to Durham Cathedral, where every year a ceremony takes in which they are blessed by the Bishop of Durham.

The ceremony is attended by more than 1,000 people, filling the historic cathedral to capacity.

Durham’s last colliery, Easington, closed in 1993.