'Pitman's Parliament' to take on community role
The North East’s former ‘Pitman’s Parliament’ aims to become the centre of a new community network across the former Durham coalfield area.
Aspartofa£7.25mproject, Durham Miners’ Association (DMA) headquarters, Redills, aimstobecomeacentreofculture, heritage and education and – inspired by the historic pit lodge system – plans to revitalise and promote coalfield culture,bringingformermining communities together to take pride in their heritage.
Redhills recently secured £4.5m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund toward its restoration.
Historically, delegates from each lodge met at Redhills, in Flass Street, Durham, each month and built a pioneering social system across Durham’s communities before the creation of the national welfare state.
Durham Miners' Association now aims to create a new networkofcommunitylodges, consisting of local people and groups – supported by staff at Redhills – to develop cultural activityintheircommunities.
The groups will also be given access to the new facilities and resources at the Rehills.
Stephen Guy, chairman of the DMA, said: “More than a generation after the closure of the last colliery in Durham, the collective values and robust culture of the people of the coalfield live on.
“Redhills has been at the heart of the life and work of CountyDurhamformorethan a century and we want to ensure that its renewal benefits communities across the Durham coalfield.”
An ambitious project is underway to fully restore and renew Redhills with the additionofnewbuildingstoenable it to offer a wide-ranging programmeofactivitiesandcommunity resources.
The communities programme is starting in the Sherburn area, with the DMA providing support and advice to help people organise an activity in their own communities and will be rolled out across the former Durham coalfield area.
People in Sherburn and surroundingvillagesareasked to complete an online survey, to help the DMA understand the local area, and how it can support the community. The survey can found at redhillsdurham.org
For more information, email admin@redhillsdurham.org, or call 0191 3868413.