"A Grand Day Out" County Durham by Maxus

I like Durham but others know it better than me and I’ll leave it to them to tell you about what to do and what to see most of the time. I just want to publicise one Saturday in July and the Durham Miner’s Gala, one of my favourite events of the year, which really isn’t done justice by my crappy photograph*.

There’s no mines left in the area these days and since Tony Blair the event no longer attracts the Labour Leader (I’ll try not to get political Mr VT) but the bands and the banners are still brought out and proudly paraded through the city the second Saturday in July, other unions (included my own) bring their banners to the event these days for something akin to a people's Trooping the Colour. It’s a great day (not just for fans of brass bands) and as a sentimental old trade unionist it still puts a lump in my throat.

Be early if you can because the bands begin marching through the town from around 9am but if you’re travelling in on the day they’ll still coming in until the early afternoon.

Outside the County Hotel is as good a place as any to watch the bands (and applaud the banners) then it’s up to the field (just follow the band) for the speeches and stalls etc.

*You’ll get a better idea if you look at You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NofS62auiJI&feature=related