These sound files are extracts (short, edited pieces) from longer oral history interviews preserved by Northumberland Archives. These interviews were made as part of a project to collect the memories of people who lived and worked in Morpeth; “Memories of Morpeth,” 2011. 

The Miners’ Picnic was happy for some but not others because of the silly people who had too much to drink. It moved from Morpeth to Bedlington in the 1950s. She remembered the parades and the different children’s rides. It was a family day. She did not listen to the speeches as they were not her kind of thing. She was still member of the Conservative Association. 

The first few picnics took place in Blyth, but it was also held in Morpeth for a number of years and was associated with Bedlington in the 1950s-1970s. The event also took place in Tynemouth, Ashington and on the Town Moor in Newcastle. Since the closure of the mines, Museums Northumberland has taken over the organisation of the Picnic. The Picnic has been held at Woodhorn Museum near Ashington since 1992.  

The Picnics were made up of a series of events. To begin with, representatives of the mining communities would march to the meeting place. Each mine would have its own banner and many would also have a brass band that would accompany them on the procession.  

The brass bands entered competitions which were judged on the day of the Picnic. Winning bands were awarded trophies (Burt Challenge Cup and Northern Divisional Coal Board Challenge Cup).  

Communities from around the county also chose beauty queens. Each colliery queen would then compete to become “Picnic Queen” or “Labour Queen” at the Picnic. These two Queens would then sit on a float at the beginning of the procession. 

Once the procession was over speeches would be given by local and national political figures. Famous speakers at the Picnics included Betty Boothroyd, Clement Atlee, Hugh Gaitskell, Aneurin Bevan and Michael Foot. 

There were also entertainments for children, including games, funfairs and food.