Miners’ Picnic a chance for commemoration and fun
Annual event aims to keep mining heritage alive
Preparations for this year’s Northumberland Miners’ Picnic are well underway and it’ll take something drastic to stop it.
The event was first held in 1864 at Blyth Links and it has been a fixture in the county’s calendar ever since – apart from during the two world wars, the strikes of 1921, 1926 and 1984, the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001 and the Covid pandemic which put paid to 2020 and 2021.
But with nothing of that sort on the near horizon, organisers are confident this year’s Picnic will amount to a great day out at Woodhorn Museum on Saturday, June 14 (10am to 5pm).
Comprising family-friendly music, art and performance, it is billed as the region’s largest celebration of mining history and heritage.
The day will begin with the traditional miners’ memorial service and wreath laying, commemorating victims of a dangerous industry, with music from Ashington Colliery Brass Band (taking to the main stage later in the day) and the Ashington & District Male Voice Choir.
There will be music throughout the day from the likes of the Brass Marras, the Jayess Newbiggin Brass Band, the Bedlington Community Band and the aforementioned Ashington band.
Returning to the event is the New Orleans-inspired marching band Mr Wilson’s Second Liners.
It will lead the first Woodhorn Community Band Parade – and visitors who take part in the musical instrument and costume workshops led by artists Molly Barrett and Lottie Smith will have the chance to join in.
Also destined for the main stage is the Northern Proud Voices Community Choir.
Meanwhile there will be lots of pop-up performances and activities throughout the day. Look out for Axial Dance performing The Tea Club, described as a “strolling piece of dance theatre celebrating Britain’s passion for tea and all things vintage”, and Bread & Butter Theatre Co.
Keith Merrin, director of North East Museums, said the Northumberland Miners’ Picnic was “a poignant reminder of an important part of our shared history” and “a fantastic celebration of the people and communities that created our coal mining legacy”.
He added: “The traditions and community spirit of the early Miners’ Picnics are still alive today and we’re expecting thousands of people to join us at Woodhorn Museum this year to celebrate our mining heritage.”
For details of the day’s events, keep an eye on the Woodhorn Museum website.