From across the Durham Coalfields, miners carrying banners proudly march through Durham City, making their way to the Racecourse for this year's special rally.

For anyone living during that era, the 1984-85 Miners' Strike was a defining moment, one which brought about may changes for many people including those taking part in the traditional Durham Miners Gala. This annual gathering of miners from across County Durham has taken place in Durham City on the second Saturday in July since 1871.
1984 was a different year. Because of the strike, a decision had been made to cancel the Gala. It had been cancelled before, mainly because of two World Wars as well as national strikes in 1921, 1922, and 1926, but this year was different as rather than a gala, a rally will be staged instead. In many respects the rally was like many others, beginning with a parade of miners marching proudly behind their banners through the city streets to the old Racecourse. What made this rally different was that, as well as men from Durham minefields, men and women from across the county joined the march. They were accompanied by both National Union of Mineworkers' (NUM) president Arthur Scargill as well as Labour firebrand Dennis Skinner. Later that day, both men would make speeches from the podium at the old Racecourse, speeches that would rally the miners to continue the fight to victory, and for those not already in the fight, to join the 'winning side.'

The parade of banners of the Durham Miners' Association, other areas of the National Union of mineworkers, other trade unions and Miners' support Groups through the streets of Durham and their arrival at Durham race course for the miners' rally.