Barnsley Area Road Transport Branch! I worked there! I think i recognise one of the guys carrying the banner. I wonder where all those fantastic banners are now?
To be fair our own was my least favourite but still a brilliant day out. Used to love the gala's where we all went en masse to Rotherham and Donny. Very 'lively' days out the one's during the strike and for a couple of years after.
About 4 years ago I was in the union offices on Huddersfield Road booking my mates and my yearly trip to the mineworkers rest home in Scolby, we had a look round with this young lass who worked there and we came across a pile of those banners.
There’s quite a selection of Banners in the main hall at the NUM HQ on the Corner of Victoria Road in Tarn
Houghton Main one among others displayed in Miners Offices . It was Commissioned in the 1940s or 50s I think and has so many repairs that at the latter end of the pits life the Branch Union had a small cheaper one Commisioned for Marches ,Galas etc as the old one wouldn’t withstand much more usage . I think you can organise a small tour if you contact offices a few days before you go if there isn’t anything going off as I think another Trade Union now holds the lease . There’s lots in it to see as it became the National Offices as opposed to oreviuosly just the Yorkshire Miners offices . Ps If you want to see miners banners and brass bands in all their old glory I’d seriously recommend the Durham Miners Gala or the big meeting as they call it . Fantastic day out and easy to miss the Political part if that’s not your bag . Loads of stall antiques etc. Not be this year but hopefully back on next .
