THURSDAY, April 7, 1984, Bearpark Colliery closed its gates for the final time, bringing 110 years of coal mining in Bearpark to an end.
Durham Miners’ Gala the same year saw the Bearpark banner draped in black paraded around the village to the music of Bearpark and Esh Colliery Band.
The procession made its way to Durham Cathedral before heading back to St Edmund’s Church, in Bearpark, where the banner now proudly hangs.
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the closure of the colliery, Bearpark Parish Council has arranged for the Bearpark and Esh Colliery Band to perform on Thursday, October 1, at 7pm in Bearpark Workingmen’s Club.
We would like to invite residents of Bearpark and the surrounding villages to come along and enjoy an evening of entertainment similar to those Eve of Gala nights that were held when the colliery was open.
The colliery band has not played in Bearpark for many years so make sure you don’t miss out.
Entrance on the night costs only £2 and all proceeds from the event will be donated to Bearpark Primary School for after school play equipment.
Marion Wilson (Chairwoman), Kevin McKechnie (Vice-Chairman), Bearpark Parish Council.
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