Durham Miners Gala

More than thirty years after the mines closed, mining is still a huge part of the identity of Durham

"They got rid of the mines, but they couldn't get rid of the miners"

The coal mines in Durham, in the North of England, were shut down in the 1980s. The local community, and the mining unions had fought against the closures for decades. But many people in the region were affected by the closures, and the loss of jobs.

The thing is, mining and mines are really deeply tied up in Durham's identity. Each year, thousands of people come together to celebrate that shared history – it's basically one great big party which showcases the tradition and identity of the mining community. We went to find out a bit more.

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