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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Durham Miners' Gala
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Britain's best-known annual demonstration of trade-union pride and solidarity, established in 1871 and held on the second Saturday in July. Each lodge of the local union, led by its colliery band, marches through the city of Durham bearing a painted banner. The destination is the old Durham racecourse, where there were traditionally speeches by leading politicians of the *Labour party, followed by general festivities. But the vast reduction in the number of pits (see *coal) and a weaker link between Labour and the unions have reduced the significance of the event.
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