Crowds of around 200,000 people are expected to be in Durham this weekend when the Big Meeting returns after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
Key workers who helped communities during the Covid crisis will be centre stage for the 136th Durham Miners Gala on Saturday.
Brass bands and pit village banners will be paraded through the historic streets as part of the traditional celebration of working-class politics.
Here is our guide to what you need to know, starting with the speakers:
The gala is the biggest socialist gathering of its kind in Europe and will feature speeches from leading trade unionists including RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch.
Mr Lynch has recently received wide acclaim for his leadership and for his media performances in defence of his members who are currently in dispute over pay, job security and safety.
He said: “It is a great honour to speak at the Durham Miners Gala. It is the biggest and best event in the trade union calendar and a source of strength and inspiration for us all.”
Other trade union general secretaries to speak from the platform include:
- Christina McAnea, Unison
- Sharon Graham, Unite
- Patrick Roach, from teaching union NASUWT
- Jo Grady, from further and higher education union UCU
Durham Miner's Association is choosing two key worker guests to speak from the platform and DMA Secretary Alan Mardghum will also make a keynote speech in their honour.
There will also be a speech from Justice4Grenfell campaign founder Yvette Williams.
How else are organisers recognising the people who have helped the country through the pandemic?
Key workers representing numerous sectors will be the guests of honour of the Durham Miners Association (DMA), taking pride of place on the famous balcony of the County Hotel and on the speakers’ platform on the Racecourse Ground.
DMA chairman Stephen Guy said: “We are proud to dedicate the 2022 Gala to our key workers and give our platform to them and their trade union leaders.
“As the pandemic showed so starkly, it is the key workers of this country that we truly need. “They deserve much improved pay and conditions, but it is our key workers who are often bearing the brunt of the cost of living crisis.
“I urge everyone to join us in Durham to say a massive ‘thank you’ and to join with the DMA to say: ‘we demand better for our key workers’.”
What time doe things get underway?
People will start arriving to parade through the city from around 8.30am and the speeches on the racecourse will get underway at 1pm.
They go on until around 3pm and then people start making their way back through the city, but the festivities continue into the evening.
What else is there to see?
On the riverside, there will be fun fair rides for the children and stalls selling everything from books to fast food.
In the marquees, there are many exhibitions, beer and ice cream, and a place run by the Durham Labour Party where tea and sandwiches are available.
What is current weather forecast?
It is looking ok: cloudy with sunny intervals with a ten per cent chance of rain. Temperatures are expected to be 17 to 20 degrees celcius.
Where can I park?
The centre of Durham is closed to traffic from 7am but access is possible, for those who arrive early, to the multi-storey car park close to the Market Square.
There are three large park-and-ride car parks on the outskirts of Durham at Belmont, Sniperley and Howlands Farm.
People can also park at Houghall campus and those travelling by bus can alight on the main road, directly below the Market Square.
Coach drivers will be directed, by the police, to a large coach park at The Sands on the riverside.
What do organisers say?
DMA Secretary Alan Mardghum said: “The Gala has been at the heart of the cultural life of the people of the Durham coalfield area for more than 150 years.
“The Gala has also been a rallying point to fight for social justice throughout its long history.”
Read more: Heartfelt tributes paid as football legend from County Durham dies aged 69
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