Leyburn Band at Durham Miners’ Gala – A Brass Band in the Heat of History
The Durham Miners’ Gala is never a small event – and this year was no exception. Under a blazing sun and amidst the bustle of thousands, I found myself once again immersed in the powerful atmosphere of one of the North East’s most iconic gatherings. I was in Durham on commission to photograph another group (those pictures will follow in due course), but as I was making my way through the packed streets, the unmistakable sound of brass caught my ear. It was Leyburn Band – and I couldn’t resist stopping to document their performance.
The Gala, often described as the biggest celebration of trade union and community spirit in Europe, dates back to 1871. Originally founded by the Durham Miners’ Association, it began as a collective show of strength, solidarity, and pride among coal miners across the region. Though the mines have long since closed, the Gala continues to thrive – not as a nostalgic relic, but as a living, breathing event that unites people in a shared sense of history, working-class heritage, and resilience.
This year’s Gala took place under intense July sunshine – the kind that pushes everyone into shade, searching for cold drinks, and wondering whether they remembered the sun cream. Bands marched and played in full uniform through the heat, the banners of miners’ lodges rippled against the bright blue sky, and the streets of Durham were alive with noise, colour, and a real sense of purpose.
Leyburn Band stood out not only because of their playing but because of the sheer effort it took to perform in such punishing heat. Clad in their signature purple, they pushed on through brass arrangements with determination and good humour, showing exactly the kind of spirit the Gala celebrates. It wasn’t an easy set of conditions — 30+ degree heat, sweltering pavements, and the weight of instruments to carry — but they played with energy and polish throughout.
Though my camera was originally trained on another commission, moments like this are impossible to walk past. There’s something about live music in public spaces — especially in such a politically and emotionally charged setting — that demands to be captured. Leyburn Band, caught in full flow, against the backdrop of this historical gathering, was one of those moments.
There will be more photos to come from the group I was officially there to photograph, but in the meantime, here are a few images of Leyburn Band doing what they do best — playing for the people, with passion and pride.
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Images: Leyburn Band performing at Durham Miners’ Gala, July 2025
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