PITMEN'S union leaders have delivered a stinging Durham Miners' Gala-day rebuke to Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Government.

Today's traditional Big Meeting messages from North-East NUM leaders Dave Hopper and Dave Guy include criticism of everything from the war in Iraq to New Labour's "modernisers".

The Labour leader of the day was traditionally the first name on the guest list at the gala, the major political and social occasion in the mining union movement in the region.

But since Neil Kinnock distanced the Labour leadership from the left, no party leader has taken up the invite since 1987.

North-East NUM officials are angry at not even receiving an apology this year, although the party said the Prime Minister's Sedgefield constituency office would be sending his 'best wishes' to organisers.

In reference to the heritage of the gala among the many former mining communities of County Durham, regional general secretary Mr Hopper, in his address, said: "We are a proud county and the Big Meeting is the largest political event in Britain.

"It is therefore unbelievable that the Prime Minister, who traditionally receives an invitation to speak, has once again not even had the courtesy to reply.

"However, the people that really matter will be here and I hope you have a great day."

Mr Guy, the regional union president, was critical of Government energy policy, for running down the Selby coalfield and leaving the country "further dependent on unstable countries in the Middle-East and eastern Europe".

He said: "The Labour Government appears to have no regard for mining communities or our future energy needs."

Mr Guy also criticised the "painfully slow" compensation process for ex-miners suffering chronic bronchitis, emphysema and vibration white finger.

Speakers at today's 119th gala include Big Meeting favourite, Derbyshire left-wing Labour MP Dennis Skinner, "the beast of Bolsover", who has pledged to attend despite recent heart surgery.

Fire Brigade Union leader Andy Gilchrist, Aslef general secretary Mick Rix and his counterpart in the GMB, the recently elected former northern regional leader for the union, Kevin Curran, will also be among the Racecourse speakers this afternoon.

Another Gala regular, Tony Benn, will deliver an address at the gala-day service at Durham Cathedral, this afternoon.

Banner makes reappearance after 35 years

A FORMER mining community is staging its own celebration today, when part of its heritage is paraded through the village for the first time in 35 years.

Residents of Greenside, in Gateshead, formed Banner Tales, a group dedicated to preserving the social and mining history of the village.

They have restored the Miners' Lodge banner after raising funds and it will be paraded for the first time since the pit closed.

Banner Tales chairman Jack Graham said: "This will be a very proud moment for local people, myself included. We must not forget the rich heritage of the mining industry, and the sense of community it fostered in villages like Greenside."

Guest of honour will be 96-year-old Billy Furneus, the oldest living miner who worked at Greenside colliery.

The sons of the last NUM Branch Secretary, Jimmy Kelly, will be leading the way.

The parade begins at Rockwood Hill, at 8.30am, where the banner will be blessed by Methodist lay preacher John Carrick, before being taken to the Gala.

Former MP helps community remember its rich mining heritage

A COMMUNITY has unfurled a banner to celebrate its heritage in time for the Durham Miners' Gala.

Former Labour MP Tony Benn, a huge supporter of the miners' strike during the 1980s and a gala favourite, unveiled the Willington banner yesterday.

The project is the result of a partnership between Willington Community Partnership, the National Union of Mineworkers' (NUM) Durham area and Thompson's Solicitors, of Newcastle.

It aims to represent the links between Willington, near Crook, as it is today and its mining history.

Councillor Brian Myers, a Durham county and Wear Valley district councillor, and chairman of the Willington Community Partnership, said the opportunity to have the banner came through the NUM.

He said the partnership was delighted to take up the offer, adding: "It is a very proud occasion for Willington. It is extremely important to remember the area's heritage and will help to gel the community.

"The banner shows that the efforts and sacrifices that miners made to build this community are remembered and respected, and encourages younger residents to appreciate that."

One side of the banner features JP Roberts, the miners' first attorney in Durham, alongside Thompsons Solicitors, which now represents them and sponsored the project.

The other side depicts the Durham Miners' Association and the six collieries which closed in the area, Brancepeth, Page Bank, Oakenshaw, Bowden Close, Sunnybrow and Willington, plus the partnership's logo.

Young people were involved in the project through an art competition based on mining.

A sculpture representing the area's past, present and future. which was erected in Willington's market square last year, is also featured.

The banner will be blessed in a ceremony at Durham Cathedral, at 3pm today, along with four other new ones.