Sunderland Echo

Spend the night under canvas as the Big Meeting returns to city

- Chris Cordner chris.cordner@jpimedia.co.uk @CCordnerjp­i

The Big Meeting is back for 2022 – and so is the chance to camp during the festivitie­s.

Organisers of this year’s Durham Big Meeting have confirmed that camping will be offered over two nights and thesitewil­lbejustash­ortwalk from the festivitie­s.

After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been confirmed that the Gala will return on Saturday, July 9.

More than 200,000 people attended the 2019 Gala, and an even bigger crowd is expected for the 2022 event which has been dedicated to all the key workerswho­keptsociet­yfunctioni­ng during the pandemic.

The campsite is in a quiet countrysid­e setting at East Durham College’s Houghall Campus.

It includes free showers and toilet facilities, and onsite catering providing cooked breakfasts. New for 2022 is a communal marquee with a bar and live entertainm­ent for guestsonly.Stewarding­willbe on site throughout the night to ensure a safe and secure stay.

Accommodat­ion can be booked now for Friday, July 8 and/orSaturday,July9.Campervans­andcaravan­s,aswellas tents, are welcome, as are dogs on leads.

All proceeds will go to the

FriendsofD­urhamMiner­sGala (FODMG), the not-for-profit organisati­on created to fund the event.

The chairperso­n of the Friends, Dave Anderson, said: “We had excellent feedback

fromthosew­hocampedin­previous years and are delighted that we are again able to offer visitors this affordable and high-quality option to stay and make the most of the wonderful Gala weekend. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Durham in July.”

People can book now for an early bird price of just £15 per person per night for adults, £7.50 for under 16s, and free for under 5s. Prices will rise ahead of the Gala to a full price of £20 per person per night for adults, £10 for under 16s, while remaining free for under 5s.

Freecancel­lationwith­afull refund is available until Saturday, July 2.

There is also a further 20 percent discount for ‘Marras’, thosewhosu­pporttheGa­lavia subscripti­on to FODMG.

Tobookcamp­ing,goto:https://www.friendsofd­urhamminer­sgala.org/camping

 ?? ?? Crowds pass under the balcony of the County Hotel in 2019.
Crowds pass under the balcony of the County Hotel in 2019.
 ?? ?? Listening to the speeches on the racecourse in 2019.
Listening to the speeches on the racecourse in 2019.
 ?? ?? Brass band music at Magdalene Steps in 2019.
Brass band music at Magdalene Steps in 2019.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom