Instead, the 2020 event will be a celebration of the Big Meeting and it’s history and here’s an idea of what is planned.
But if you are missing the Gala and it’s wonderful atmosphere, here’s a reminder.
Every one of these photos is from the Hartlepool Mail archives and they all show collieries from the East Durham area enjoying their day out.
The question is … can you spot someone you know? Take a look.
Every one of these photos is from the Hartlepool Mail archives and they all show collieries from the East Durham area enjoying their day out.
![What a turnout from Boldon lodge at the July 1982 Big Meeting.](https://www.chad.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmVkMTcyN2MyLTQ5MjktNGUyNy1hMzYzLWE5YzA3NmNiOWFjNDo2NDhlMGJkNS1jZWVkLTQ1MGUtYTEyYS0wZTk5ZmMxZjVkOWM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Boldon in 1982
What a turnout from Boldon lodge at the July 1982 Big Meeting. Photo: Sunderland Echo
![Boldon Colliery miners and their families, with the lodge banner marching through Durham City 62 years ago.](https://www.chad.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmEyYjlmNmJjLTFkODItNDA3Ny05YTkxLThjNDJjYjkxMmQzMTpmZDJlYjE0OC03NjQ2LTQxNjUtYWZjYi01MDA4NWYyNTYyYzI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Boldon in 1952
Boldon Colliery miners and their families, with the lodge banner marching through Durham City 62 years ago. Photo: Hartlepool Mail
![Plenty of Westoe faces in this 1982 scene. Can you recognise any of them?](https://www.chad.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjI5N2UyMDU5LThhMWEtNDc4NS1hZGJmLTgxNzJjZTFjZjNhZjphZmNlMmVjZS0xZGRjLTQwZDQtYjQ1YS1lZDU0NmYyNWUwYTE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Who can you spot from Westoe?
Plenty of Westoe faces in this 1982 scene. Can you recognise any of them? Photo: Sunderland Echo
![Pictured at the 1979 Durham Miners Gala.](https://www.chad.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjVlNmJlZDA4LWQ4MWItNGIzZi1iNTA0LTc4ZGY3MWFjZDIzYjpkMDViMWIwMC0zMzdkLTRlOWEtYjI4NS1hYzU1MzA0MTIzN2Y=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)