The South Pelaw Miners Banner  needed a new home- where better than the local school where the children would grow up knowing of their proud mining heritage? A grant from Durham County Council’s Labour local Councillor Tracie Smith has paid for the restoration of the banner and its fine oak case .

This delicate silk banner was first unfurled on 23 July 1949 by Jack Lawson MP with portraits of  AJ Cook and Peter Lee. On the reverse is the Hermitage, the grand house in Chester l e street acquired by the Durham Miners’ Welfare Committee for the rehabilitation of injured miners .

The restoration complete we are giving it a fine new launch on Saturday 14 March at 10 am in the Chester le Street CE Primary school hall.