Pat Simmons

As an active and well respected leader within the Durham Mining Communities Banner Groups Association, Pat was the driving force behind the amazing Solidarity Forever: Banners of the Durham Mining Community exhibition at Durham Cathedral in 2024.

She describes what it has been like as a woman working in the coalfield communities as “the most rewarding and fascinating experience”. Listening to the stories of hard working former miners, how they coped with conditions underground, how they fought to try to save their collieries from closure. “The most heartwarming outcome was the comradeship and respect they had for each other”. Alongside this, Pat has loved hearing the stories of the women in these communities, how hard they worked to look after their families and the struggles they faced, and how they encouraged a strong community spirit through their resourcefulness.

Pat’s hope for young women growing up in mining communities is that they are able to “become positive and strong like the women in the former mining communities and that they are aware of the many opportunities there are now to go out into the world and become successful and to be recognised as an equal in society”. She emphasises the importance of getting out into community groups and schools to highlight how important it is to celebrate our proud heritage and to pass on the many skills we are in danger of losing.

Through support, encouragement, and collaboration, former mining communities in County Durham continue to maintain and create banners, highlighting what they represent and proudly parading them at Durham Miners Gala.