A PROJECT to restore a historic building and open it to future generations is being officially launched on the 150th anniversary of a mining trade union.

The Durham Miners’ Association (DMA) marks the milestone on November 20, 150 years since a group of delegates from across the Durham coalfields met at the Market Tavern, in Durham.

More than 25 years since the closure of the last coalmine in County Durham, the association is holding an event to launch the Redhills Appeal, a campaign the renew the historic headquarters and turn it into a place where people from former mining communities can celebrate their culture.

The DMA, which organises the annual Durham Miners' Gala, first announced its plans for the scheme last year but is now preparing to officially launch the appeal and submit a bid for funding to make it a reality.

Ross Forbes, who is leading the project, said: “We want to see this as a place where culture and heritage is practised and performed. We want this to be a place where things are done, not a gallery or a museum.

“We want it to be somewhere for the people whose grandfathers and great grandfathers built the place. That’s the legacy we want to give back to the people of the county.”

He added: “We are asking people to come to take the pledge to support the Redhills appeal.”

The appeal will see parts of the 103-year-old building restored as well as a new section built to the rear of the grand redbrick headquarters.

It is expected the work will cost in the region of £3m-£5m and the DMA is hoping to submit a bid to the heritage lottery fund next spring.

Some fundraising has already been done, which has included giving people the opportunity to sponsor seats in the chamber, known as the pitman’s parliament.

Sponsors will have an inscribed, memorial brass pit token as placed on a seat within the chamber and receive a keepsake copy.

The miners’ hall, which was recently named as one of Historic England’s top 100 places, was built in 1915 to replace one in North Road.

Intended as a status symbol to show the strength of the union, which at its height had 200,000 members, the hall was a centre of the mining community.

It has never had a major refurbishment and the chamber still has its original fittings, including oak panels and stained glass windows.

As part of celebrations to mark the anniversary, Dave Temple, author of The Big Meeting – A History of The Durham Miners’ Gala, is writing another book detailing the association’s 150-year history, which will be published next year.

Alan Cummings, president of the DMA, said: “The last pit closed in 1993. I didn’t imagine we would still be here but we are here for members and their families and we still organised one of the biggest day events in Europe. It’s no mean achievement.

“We have a very rich history and we are proud of that.

“The prestige the DMA still has in trade unions never ceases to amaze me. It’s a powerful thing.

He added: “There’s a future as well and step one is to get the bid and make Redhills a hub for former mining communities.

“It’s a huge project.”