News
September 02, 2025
Exhibition captures how former North East colliery sites look - 40 years after strike
Going Back Brockens: Monuments and Rhetoric After the Miners’ Strike shares stories of hope and aspiration in mining communities four decades on from the 1984/85 Miners’ Strike.
**Exhibition captures how former North East colliery sites look - 40 years after strike**
An exhibition offering a poignant reflection on the enduring legacy of the 1984/85 Miners' Strike and its impact on North East communities is now open. Titled "Going Back Brockens: Monuments and Rhetoric After the Miners’ Strike," the exhibition explores the transformation of former colliery sites and shares stories of hope and aspiration four decades after the pivotal industrial action.
The exhibition delves into the physical and social landscape of the region, examining how the once-thriving mining communities have adapted and evolved since the closure of the pits. It offers a visual and narrative journey through the spaces that were once the heart of the North East's industrial identity. Through photographs and carefully curated displays, the exhibition invites viewers to contemplate the changing face of these landscapes and the enduring spirit of the people who call them home.
"Going Back Brockens" doesn't shy away from the hardships endured during and after the strike. It acknowledges the economic devastation and social upheaval that followed the pit closures. However, its core focus is on showcasing the resilience and determination of the communities in rebuilding their lives and forging new futures.
The exhibition highlights the ongoing efforts to repurpose former colliery sites, transforming them into spaces for recreation, business, and remembrance. It explores how these spaces serve as monuments to the past, while also embodying a sense of forward-looking optimism.
By weaving together visual documentation and personal narratives, "Going Back Brockens" aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the Miners' Strike's long-term consequences. It seeks to foster dialogue and reflection on the challenges and triumphs of the past four decades, ensuring that the stories of these communities are not forgotten. The exhibition serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of community, resilience, and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity. It’s a chance to remember the past, acknowledge the present, and look towards a future built on hope and aspiration.
An exhibition offering a poignant reflection on the enduring legacy of the 1984/85 Miners' Strike and its impact on North East communities is now open. Titled "Going Back Brockens: Monuments and Rhetoric After the Miners’ Strike," the exhibition explores the transformation of former colliery sites and shares stories of hope and aspiration four decades after the pivotal industrial action.
The exhibition delves into the physical and social landscape of the region, examining how the once-thriving mining communities have adapted and evolved since the closure of the pits. It offers a visual and narrative journey through the spaces that were once the heart of the North East's industrial identity. Through photographs and carefully curated displays, the exhibition invites viewers to contemplate the changing face of these landscapes and the enduring spirit of the people who call them home.
"Going Back Brockens" doesn't shy away from the hardships endured during and after the strike. It acknowledges the economic devastation and social upheaval that followed the pit closures. However, its core focus is on showcasing the resilience and determination of the communities in rebuilding their lives and forging new futures.
The exhibition highlights the ongoing efforts to repurpose former colliery sites, transforming them into spaces for recreation, business, and remembrance. It explores how these spaces serve as monuments to the past, while also embodying a sense of forward-looking optimism.
By weaving together visual documentation and personal narratives, "Going Back Brockens" aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the Miners' Strike's long-term consequences. It seeks to foster dialogue and reflection on the challenges and triumphs of the past four decades, ensuring that the stories of these communities are not forgotten. The exhibition serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of community, resilience, and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity. It’s a chance to remember the past, acknowledge the present, and look towards a future built on hope and aspiration.
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Entertainment