Rob Crute

The government has committed to release the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Investment Reserve Fund of £1.4bn for the benefit of retired miners and their families. A manifesto pledge to repay a debt of gratitude to the people who powered the nation has been delivered.

The Blackhall DMA banner is among 35 miners’ banners from across the county on display in Durham Cathedral as part of the ‘Solidarity Forever: Banners of the Durham Mining Communities’ exhibition to mark the 40th Anniversary of the 1984-85 Miners’ Strike. durhamcathedral.co.uk/articl…

Miners never crossed picket lines. We left that to the scabs.

The Blackhall DMA wreath laid at the grave of Thomas Hepburn yesterday morning after the service to commemorate his life. His lifelong commitment to public service and the labour and trade union movement remain to this day as an example to us all.

The Blackhall banner at the Durham Miners’ Gala. Note the Blackhall DMA T-shirts bearing the image of Tony Benn to commemorate the great man’s passing in 2013. As ever @MarkSeddon1962 on the left!

So Nigel Farage hints he might never go to the pub again. Anything that reduces the risk of accidentally bumping into that nicotine-stained foghorn in your local boozer must be seen as a huge shot in the arm for the drinks industry. app.independent.co.uk/2024/0…

Flashback to the ⁦@DurhamGala⁩ 10 years ago. With my much missed friend and mentor Barry Chambers and the Blackhall NUM banner draped in black to mark the passing of the inimitable Tony Benn who had died just a few months before.

40 years ago today, alongside thousands of men and women fighting for their jobs and communities, I officially became a member of ‘The Enemy Within.’ Until the day I die I’ll wear that badge of honour with pride. #StillTheEnemyWithin

In the Hardwick in Blackhall Colliery with my lovely bairns, drying out and pulling ourselves together after this year’s fantastic ⁦@DurhamGala⁩

Blackhall Colliery flying the flag this afternoon at the ⁦@DurhamGala⁩. The biggest, best and wettest celebration of Labour and Trade Union solidarity in the world. Solidarity Forever. ⁦⁦@DurhamMiners⁩

Blackhall Banner Group and followers in Durham this morning ready for this year’s Big Meeting. The weather isn’t too clever but nothing can dampen the spirits on a day like today! #BlackhallBannerGroup #DurhamBigMeeting

Members of the Blackhall Banner Group have been busy tonight finalising arrangements for the ⁦@DurhamGala⁩ this Saturday. The centrepiece of course is the magnificent Blackhall DMA banner shown here with BBG members. See you on the day! #DurhamMinersAssociation

My Dad died on 14 December 2020 while we stood outside watching through a hospice window as he spent his last hours alone. This photo was taken that same night as Tories drank and danced the night away. I’ll have my Dad in my heart, and these people on my mind when I vote today

‘When your election candidates keep praising Hitler, something’s probably gone wrong’. politico.eu/article/nigel-fa…

It’s 40 years today since that brutal, bloody state sponsored police attack on striking miners took place at Orgreave during the 84/85 Miners’ Strike. It’s 40 years later and we’re still no closer to the truth. Justice delayed is justice denied.

'All your life you will be faced with a choice. You can choose love or hate….I choose love’ Johnny Cash

Sunak’s manifesto includes unfunded pledges of at least £71bn. Almost identical to Liz Truss’s own catastrophic mini-budget price tag of £72bn - and we all know how that sent prices and interest rates soaring. If you have a mortgage or eat food beware! independent.co.uk/news/uk/bb…

There are just 50 days to go until this year’s ⁦@DurhamGala⁩ - the main annual event in the labour and trade union movement and the greatest demonstration of working class solidarity in the world! Mark the date in your diary: Saturday 13 July 2024.

Easington MP Grahame Morris Joins Campaigners in Downing Street March for Mineworkers Pension Scheme Justice - Grahame Morris MP grahamemorrismp.co.uk/2024/0…

Sunak expresses a ‘profound sense of urgency’ whilst projecting a bleak future dominated by terrorism, hellfire and raging wars. Meanwhile Esther McVey recoils at the colour of civil service lanyards. Someone didn’t get the memo.