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Mining Gala 2017

The Apedale Mining Gala returns this year on 15th and 16th July and we hope that this one will be the biggest and best yet.  The action will be moving to the events arena behind the centre giving us much more room for music and exhibitors. To get a flavour of what to expect, visit our picture gallery from the last event.

This year the gala is being supported by the Coop Local Community Membership Fund.  Under this scheme 1% of what Coop members spend on Coop branded goods or services goes to local causes, and members can elect to nominate a specific cause to back.  If you are  a member please consider backing the Apedale Heritage Centre, if not you can find out more about becoming a member here :- https://www.coop.co.uk/membership.

We’ll be opening at 10.30am each day. There’ll be plenty to see and do:-

  • FREE ENTRY
  • Live music (see below for the line up)
  • Funfair Rides
  • Stalls and demonstrations from mining organisations and other exhibitors.
  • Mine Tours
  • Blacksmithing Demonstrations from our resident Smith
  • Real Ales from Lymestone Brewery
  • Food!
  • Steam Train Rides on the Apedale Valley Light Railway
  • And more…

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Exhibitors include…

Joy Global Manufacturer of Heavy Mining Machinery
Shropshire Mines Trust Dedicated to preserving equipment and mining sites in Shropshire
Newcastle-under-Lyme Civic Society The Civic Society aim to protect, conserve and improve the character of our historic North Staffordshire town
North Staffs Mining History Group Researchers into the local mining heritage
"Silverdale Our Story" A project led by GroundWork West Midlands into the history of Silverdale.
City Voices  This creative writer group will be mingling and entertaining with a mixture of poetry and stories
Potteries Images  Richard Howle, a locval photogrpaher specialises in images of Stoke-on-Trent industry and the surrounding area
Midlands Cave Rescue Organisation  MCRO is formed from local cavers and mine explorers who are willing to voluntarily assist others who may be lost or injured in the caves and mines of the West Midlands, Shropshire and beyond.
Friends of Pleasley Pit Preserving and restoring the Pleasley Colliery Site
Andrew Burdett Collection  Andrew will be showing his collection of mining memorabilia
National Coal Mining Museum for England We’re please to welcome our friends from the NCM
Tony Muggridge, Brickmaker Make a brick with the last itinerant (or travelling) brickmaker in the British Isles and one of only a handful of such people in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Art of Mining An illustrative and artistic look at Coal Mining and Coal Mining Lives. The art of mining will be bringing their Virtual Reality Mining Experience to Apedale

Programme of Events

Saturday 15th July

10:30 Official Opening The Gala will be opened by the Mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Councillor Simon White with representatives from the Co-op and other
12.00 City of Stoke on Trent Male Voice Choir Formerly the Park Hall Colliery Choir
13.15 Bend The Rules Acoustic Duo, Playing covers in a unique style
14.30 Monikas Curse  Ger Parry & Andy Toft – Acoustic duo hailing from the city of Stoke-on-Trent
15.30 SCDC Dance School  Street Click Dance Crew, dance school based in Hanley
16.15 Mel Christi Male Vocalist and entertainer
17.15 The Trent Vale Poet  The legendary voice of the potteries!
17.30 Robbie Benson The return of a very accomplished Singer Mr Hit Mix.
18.15 Prof Higginbottom’s Bluuz Extravaganza A Blues Band Performing Classics from Yesteryear
19.15 Kokoro Kokoro (Ella) is an avant-garde, quirky and provocative writer and performer.

Sunday 16th July

12.00 Rode Hall Silver Band  Rode Hall Silver Band was formed in 1837 as a fife and drum band, and recently were in the award-winning production of “Brassed Off” by the Congleton Players
13.30 The Maxxx  A variety of music encompassing many genres and styles from across the decades
14.45 Robby Benson The return of a very accomplished Singer Mr Hit Mix.
15.45 Knockers Revisited Original 80’s Line-up with Susan Highley from Holliwood Nights & Guests, performing covers through the decades.

 

Get Involved!

You can help simply by sharing this page on Facebook or other social media using the link at the top of the page, or following us.

If you represent either a group linked with mining or a local group and would like to take part or if you think you may be able to help in other ways, please get in touch via our contact page.

Disclaimers

We’ve made every effort to make sure this information is correct at the time of publishing but the attendees and running order may change. Site Entry and entertainment is free, some activities may have a cost, for example mine tours and train rides.