Colliery Banners

The symbol of each colliery is it’s union lodge banner. This was paraded on every occasion as a rallying point and symbol of pride. Banners are the miners' battle-standards, proclaiming graphic messages of hope and calls for social justice which record more vividly than any other art form the history of the struggle for working-class rights. The inspiration behind their designs and mottoes reveals the long history of the use of banners in County Durham, from the formation of the Durham Miners' Association in 1869 to the strike of 1984/5 and the subsequent destruction of the coalfield by the government.

The 100th Durham Gala

Silksworth Banner at the 100th Gala

The post war effects of the Great War when added to the poor economic conditions, the increasing power trade unionism, female emancipation, caused turmoil. The Labour Party became a creditable third party in politics eventually forming a government. These effects were felt locally and there was a strong local movement not to return to those times of turmoil. Peace was a concept that came to the forefront. Many banners of that era contain references to war.

“Swords in to ploughshares”

“Lion lays down with the lamb”