big jack's british:
Brass in silver street

Tyne Tees, 1981. 26 mins

 

Edition of the Tyne Tees Television series 'Big Jack's British' presented by Jack Charlton, in which he visits the Durham Miners' Gala. He starts with preparations in the pit villages on Gala morning, meets lifelong attenders of the 'Big Meeting', and enjoys the brass band music which is synonymous with the day. He even runs into Arthur Scargill along the way!

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​'Big Jack’ Charlton was born in the mining village of Ashington, Northumberland, on 8th May 1935. His mother’s cousin was the legendary Newcastle United and England footballer Jackie Milburn. Jackie Charlton was the son of a miner and followed his father down the pit for a short period before a successful trial at Leeds United in 1950 launched his career as a professional footballer. 

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Part of our 'Pit Reels' series of films inspired by mining culture