Miners' banners to go on show

4:21pm Thursday 4th September 2008

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A DISPLAY of miners' banners from the Durham Coalfields will be one of the attractions of this year's Heritage Open Days.

Colourful emblems created by miners' union lodges will be exhibited at Bowburn Community Centre, in Bowburn.

Among them will be the village's Edith Cavell banner, which depicts the First World War nurse who was shot by the Germans.

Also on show will be the Bowburn centenary banner, which was designed two years ago by villagers to mark the 100th anniversary of their community's founding.

Mike Syer, of the Bowburn Banner Group, which is organising the display with the Durham Mining Museum, said 42 emblems would be on show.

"The banners gathered in this exhibition include some that are over 80 years old.

"Some have been repaired and conserved, while others are frail and badly in need of conservation.

"This is a rare opportunity to see these treasures, which will never again be paraded outdoors. They have been kept in churches, schools, community centres and even attics and cellars. This will be the last chance to see some of them until funding can be found for their repair and conservation."

Heritage Open Days have proved extremely popular in past years as they offer people the chance to see behind the scenes of some attractions and visit places that are normally closed.

This year, they will take place on Thursday until next Saturday. The event is also being organised by the Civic Trust and English Heritage.

For more details, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk.