The Miners Gala

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The Miners Gala of 1994 and 1995 in Edinburgh

There was a time when the miners gala's were an important part of the British way of life, especially in Scotland.  The gala was an annual event and you never knew who the guest speakers were going to be.  Union representative and politicians were always invited and turned up to speak on behalf of the working classes.

Sadly the last miners gala in Edinburgh was held in 1996.  The mines had been decimated and the gala had been reduced in size due to the closure of the coal mines over the years.

In part the government of the day was challenging the power of the unions.  The power of the unions was being cut back to stop the unions being able to hold the country to ransom in the eyes of the government of the day.  New laws were brought in to curb the union power, and with it, a lot of jobs disappeared.

This page has three speeches on it and some images of the gala in 1994 and 1995.  Gordon Brown MP made a speech in 1994, and John Prescott MP and  George Robertson MP made a speech in 1995.  The speeches shown run for about 20 minutes, but they are still of interest today, almost ten years after the speeches were made.

I was sad to see the miners gala go, as it was interesting to see what the views of the day were, and it was a great day out for any member of the public.  The progression of new working practices and time brought this event to an end.  But they are not quite forgotten yet.

 

A Miners Band on the March

Alistair Darling MP on Miners Gala March

The Glasgow Trades Council on Miners Gala

Heading towards the Meadows for the Speeches

The Miners Gala 1994 and 1995

Entering the meadows at the end of the parade

Gordon Brown MP speaking to the Miners in 1994

John Prescott MP talking about some of the policies

John Prescott MP addressing the Miners on the issues in hand 1995

George Robertson MP talking to the miners

   

Gathering in the tent before the Speeches

Alistair Darling MP with Gordon Brown MP

Heading up the Mound for the Gala

Campbell Christie STUC speaking on stage

Gordon Brown getting prepared to speak

Going into the tent for the speeches

Gordon Brown addressing the miners at the miners gala

Councillor Lesley Hinds talking to the Miners

George Robertson MP and John Prescott MP

Enjoying a stroll to meadows for the Miners gala

All regions represented at the Miners gala

Councilor Lesley Hinds and Jimmy Knapp

Jimmy Knapp's warning to the Miners

The final part of the parade in the Meadows

John Prescott MP in the Meadows for the Miners gala

John Prescott MP spelling it out

Mick McGachy leader of the Scottish Miners Union

The Trade Union Banners at the gala

George Robertson MP listening to the speeches

George Robertson MP speaking at the Miners gala

Spelling it out loud and clear

George Robertson MP addressing the Miners at the Meadows

Video images by Andrew Murphy

Copyright video and soundtrack from video produced by Andrew Murphy 1994 and 1995

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