ORGANISERS of the Durham Miners’ Gala have launched a cash appeal to safeguard the future of the event after being hit with a £1.4m legal bill.

The historic Big Meeting is the largest of its kind in Europe and remains an important event in the Labour and trade union calendar, attracting tens of thousands of people to the Durham City each year.

The Durham Miners Association made its appeal after revealing it faces legal costs of more than £1.4m after losing its fight to win payouts for members suffering from the debilitating osteoarthritis of the knee due to their work in the mining industry.

In a letter sent out to members, general secretary Dave Hopper said: “The cost of the gala is increasing year on year. £26,400 alone is spent subsidising the brass bands, which are an essential feature of the Big Meeting and give us so much pleasure on the day.

“It is self-evident that without a viable source of income the Durham Miners’ Association cannot fund the gala indefinitely.

“To add to our problems we have recently been informed that we have lost our case on behalf of former miners who are suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee, in the Court of Appeal.

“We now face legal costs which may well exceed £1.4m. We are making this appeal to all our friends who believe that it is important to ensure the future of the Durham Miners’ Gala.”

The Miners’ Association is asking members to make a regular donation. People who donate £2 a month or a one-off payment of £24 a year will become a member of The Friends of the Durham Miners’ Gala Society.

To find out more, visit www.durhamminers.org or write to Friends of the Durham Miners’ Gala, PO Box 6, The Miners Hall, Durham, DH1 4BB.