Reviews of Royal Yacht Britannia (The), Leith
Review by Martin Peagam on 27th May, 2009
Add your review Date visited: Annually
The Durham Miners' Gala dates from 1871 and still brings a huge crowd to one of England's most attractive cities, home to one of the finest cathedrals in Britain.
Durham was recently voted the "Best City in the UK", ahead of London and Edinburgh, by readers of Condé Nast Traveller magazine. Its cathedral has also been voted the UK's favorite building, was described by travel writer Bill Bryson as "the best cathedral on planet earth", and it is easily one of the most popular UK city break destinations. Anyone who has traveled on the train between London and Edinburgh will know how breathtakingly beautiful the city is, as the perfect view of the Cathedral, surrounded by trees and standing high above the River Wear, can be had from the train as it glides by the edge of the city.
On one Saturday each year, though, the usually peaceful city center is transformed by the arrival of thousands of people to watch or take part in the Durham Miners' Gala. The mining towns and villages of Durham played a huge part in the history of the city, and of County Durham. It's a proud history, and sometimes a tragic history, and although the last mines in Durham closed in the early 1990s, the Gala still brings tens of thousands of people into the city on the second Saturday in July.
The Gala developed out of the solidarity the miners felt for each other, and the high regard that the local communities had for these hard-working men, who occasionally gave their lives in order to provide food for their families, and fuel for the whole country. The first Durham mining trade union was formed in 1869, and the first Gala was held two years later.
Each Durham colliery had its own banner, and many of them also had their own brass bands – a proud northern tradition. The banners would be brought by the miners traveling on foot, all converging on Durham city center. At its peak the Gala would attract 250,000 people, the biggest gathering of its kind in Britain. The leader of the British Labour Party would traditionally address the crowds, and a good time was had by all.
Today, although the crowds are smaller, a good time is still had by all. The day's proceedings begin at about 9am, when the bands and the miners and ex-miners start to gather to parade through the streets. It can take a couple of hours or more for the whole procession to pass by, as the bands stop to play some rousing tunes. It brings a festive feeling to the city's streets, as some collieries have pipe bands, and a few bring dancers too.
In the afternoon a special miners' service is held in Durham's magnificent cathedral. There, alongside the tomb of the Venerable Bede, and the shrine to St Cuthbert, visitors can see the very moving Coal Miners' Memorial, commemorating the vital part the Durham miners have played in the life of the city and of County Durham. The day of the Durham Miners' Gala is the very best time to pay a visit to the "Best City in the UK".
Review by Jono Dilley on 30th October, 2007
Add your review Date visited: 30/10/2007
Excellent Antique Centres. Possibly the finest range of quality Antiques in the UK. Three large buildings. Friendly staff and good prices. You need to give yourself a full day to look around it. The ultimate place for Antiques Hunting!
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