Defiant: County Durham, The Miners’ Strike and its Legacy (Screening). Introduced by Heather Wood.

A new film written, directed and produced by County Durham-based Lonely Tower Film & Media – an independent production company led by Marie Gardiner and Mark Thorburn. It tells of resilience, community and political struggle, charting the profound impact of pit closures and the enduring strength of mining communities. Defiant captures the experiences of those who endured one of the most significant industrial disputes in modern British history, and explores not only the devastating social and economic consequences of the strike, but also the solidarity networks and collective spirit it generated.

Featuring music performances captured at Hartlepool Folk Festival 2024’s Bold Miners: Spirit of 84 concert.