The coal industry has been a pivotal part of UK’s economy and social reform ever since the Industrial Revolution, and Redhills has been a significant part of this. This key part of North East heritage demonstrates the strength and integrity of County Durham.
Redhills is the name given to the Durham Miners’ Association New Hall and Offices. It represents the rich history of community enterprise and social progress in North East England, remembering when people worked for self-improvement, not on simply a personal level, but on the scale of a community and place that looks to the bright new future we want to build in our region.
“Redhills was designed by HT Gradon in Edwardian Baroque style to replace the former Miners’ Hall building in North Road” and was opened in 1915.
“From the beginning of the Industrial Revolution to the 1960s, coal mining played a crucial role in the UK’s economy, employing hundreds of thousands of men” who produced millions of tons of coal annually.
Furthermore, their website argues that “the hardships faced by miners and their families paved the way for a movement of social reform, which predated the welfare state and left a lasting impact on society. Redhills, situated in Durham’s city centre, is a Grade II* listed building and home to the Pitman’s Parliament, representing one of Europe’s finest examples of trade union architecture.”
Having recently been refurbished and now open again to the public, Redhills had its official reopening on the evening of Thursday 24 September.
The opening event
We were welcomed in shortly after 6pm, with a drinks reception and fine music from West Rainton School steel band. We were treated to the joyful and skilful playing of familiar tunes such as Take on Me by A-Ha, which was well received by the supportive audience. A great start to the evening!
This was followed by self-guided tours of Redhills, and we watched a film about history and reason for DMA and the struggle for dignity and rights. It was based on a moving poem written by a miner called John Parkin, and it was narrated by North East actors Gina McKee and Alun Armstrong.
Then, we went to the famous Pitman’s parliament part of the building for a presentation about the history of Redhills. There was a display about the wonderful history of Redhills including many photos of important historical features and moments, including the renovation of Redhills. There was also stirring brass music from the Durham Miners Association Brass Band. It was beautiful music, so evocative of our homeland here in the north of England.
And of course there were tunes familiar from the annual Miners Gala, followed by food; mince and dumplings!
Then it was time for the most serious part of the evening: the dedication and unveiling of the plaque. Mention was made of all the many representatives of communities that were there on the night.
Acknowledgement given to the Durham Miners Association who built Redhills 111 years ago, and the many families gave money, and thanks were given to all those who helped with the restoration. Speakers included a lady from the National Heritage Lottery Fund who contributed millions to the restoration.
The Redhills restoration is very much about looking to the future, building community and show that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.
Communities in the old coalfield were consulted and they made it clear that they wanted the heritage to work for the future and to have power over decisions and rebuild the coalfield commonwealth.
There was also a short film about the importance of Redhills in the past and in the future.
Forging a new future
This was a lovely evening and a very fitting tribute to the work of the Durham miners in, not only hewing coal, but also working for a better and fairer world.
And it was also an evening, which gave notice to the world that the coalfield communities of County Durham are not broken and defeated, but ready to forge a new future, with the same community spirit and commitment to innovation, not to mention fairness, tolerance and solidarity as they have always shown.
What happens when the media itself becomes part of the problem? Who holds it to account? 14 years after the Leveson Inquiry reported its findings, has anything really changed? And how can we build something better?
Join Bylines Network on Wednesday 21 October, for a vital conversation about the media Britain needs — and what it will take to get there.
The event will conclude with a live audience Q&A.
