British Seniors!, did you ever go to a Miners Gala, or a Wakes Week?. And if you did, what are your memories?

I visited (only once) the Miners Gala held in our beautiful city of Durham. That was many years ago when in my teens. Believe me my friend,it was not an occasion to be proud of. Apart from the brilliant brass bands,this was just an excuse for drunken louts and trouble makers to spoil a days outing for the genuine supporters of our mining community.