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Durham Miners' Gala under threat

£2 million legal bill for compensation fight has put the event in jeopardy

One of Europe’s biggest trade union events the Durham Miners’ Gala is under threat after the region’s mining union received a £2 million legal bill yesterday over its fight for compensation for miners’ suffering a crippling ailment.

The Durham Miners Association (DMA), which organises the gala, has been fighting for years for ex-miners who are still suffering crippling work-related ailment.

And for the last six years the DMA has been fighting for compensation for osteoarthritis of the knee, known as miners’ knee

However the judge rejected the claim, as did the appeal court and now the DMA faces a £2m bill, putting the gala in jeopardy.

DMA general secretary Dave Hopper told the Star: “Paying this bill will have a serious effect on our finances, which means that our ability to continue with the Durham Miners’ Gala will depend largely on donations to The Friends of the Durham Miners’ Gala.”

In 2012, the DMA set up the Friends of the Durham Miners Gala to secure the event’s future.

Mr Hopper added: “We believe that this is a people’s gala and if we have thousands of people giving a little each year the gala will be safe. Of course, we will be more than happy to receive bigger donations from trade union organisations but it was the people of Durham that saved the Gala and in the long run it will be the people of Durham, and our many well-wishers who attend from all over Britain, who will keep it going.

The gala will be held Saturday July 12. To join or donate to the Friends of the Gala visit www.durhamminers.org or write to PO Box 6, Miners’ Hall, Durham DH1 4BB or ring (01913) 843-515.

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