A FAMILIAR sense of community harmony returned to the North-East as tens of thousands attended the 132nd Big Meeting.

Divisions within families and communities had emerged following the controversial ‘Brexit’ vote to the leave European Union last month with a real sense of loss among many of the Remain camp.

With the political landscape now unrecognisable from this time last month, and still in a state of flux, Durham Miners’ Gala, one of the biggest socialist gatherings in Europe, was expected to be highly charged.

It was certainly well attended, but as good natured and noisy and colourful as ever, with brass bands and banners flooding through the cobbled streets of historic Durham.

Talk appeared to be more about opposing the Tory Government, the prospect of a new female Conservative Prime Minister and the presence of Jeremy Corbyn in the city, rather than whether you voted ‘in’ or ‘out’.

Sporadic showers of rain, which made everyone a little soggy, held off when the speeches started, something firebrand Bolover MP Dennis Skinner jokingly claimed he had a hand in.

Despite his 84 years, the former Derbyshire miner, an MP since 1970, still turns out a barnstorming speech.

He may have voted to leave the EU, but he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with his leader Jeremy Corbyn, as other sections of the Labour Party plots to oust him.

Mr Skinner said: “The task of Jeremy Corbyn is to map out our future and get Britain back to work.

“If there are immigrants working in Britain they should be paid the same as us.

“We have been waiting for years for someone who looks towards the people who is sensible and prepared to fight to the bitter end.

“That man is Jeremy Corbyn. He is the man. We can’t fail. We are on a winner.”

Afterwards, Mr Skinner was treated like a rock star as people clamoured for handshakes, pictures and a signature on their Gala programme.

Some were even heard asking him to repeat some of his best put downs and political quips that have earned him his ‘legend’ status.

The crowd also heard from union leaders including GMB general secretary Tim Roache, ASLEF general secretary Mick Whelan and Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the TUC. All publicly pledged their support for Mr Corbyn.

Leeds East MP Richard Burgon almost shouted himself hoarse with an impassioned speech after he was invited by Durham Miners’ Association general secretary Dave Hopper to "get stuck in".

He said: “It is a time to speak up for anti-austerity politics. It is time to speak up for Jeremy Corbyn and his leadership and ideas. Friends, comrades, brothers and sisters, I salute you, for what you have done and what you are about to do. Never give in.”

Mr Cobyn himself spoke for over half an hour to such a warm reception it was hard to believe that elsewhere Angela Eagle was announcing plans to launch her own leadership challenge.

He said: “The mines may have closed but that spirit of unity, that spirit of doing things together and that spirit of community lives on in everyone here today at the Durham Big Meeting for 132nd time.”