The final magnificent 2 day Commemoration on 25th/26th May 2012 started more than two years earlier. Here is Tom Wood in a Chronicle article..to see it click on the date link below

A banner had to be designed and produced. Here are the choices. 

Click here to see article 20th August 2011

And here to see further article on  19th Oct 2011 These weren't close to the final chosen design. See below for pics of the banner front and back when at Beamish's Old King Coal event in March 2014

Here's Tom getting more publicity a full 5 months before the event
15th Dec 2011

Brandling Primary School, with their banner in the Chronicle on the eve of the Commemoration

This is only part of the story. Lots more activity took part behind the scenes including seeking and being granted £25,000 from the Lottery Heritage Fund

Here is the 4th March 2013 Report (after the event) to Gateshead Council's Corporate Vitality Overview and Scrutiny Committee to seek views on the impact of The Gateshead Fund and in particular the actions and work that has taken place during 2012/13 to support, develop and build capacity in the voluntary and community sector and to help strengthen local communities.

The Felling Pit disaster resulted in 92 local people losing their lives in a pit explosion. An event took place in Felling on the 25th May 2012 on the anniversary of the disaster. 
The commemoration has been made possible due to support from councillors and a £25,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). Support for the commemorative events has also been received from partners including Beamish Museum, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, Akzo Nobel, Nexus and the Durham Miners Association.
The Felling Activity Project Group created a Felling Pit Banner, which has replaced a long lost original banner.  Gateshead Council erected two Blue commemoration plaques, one at St. Marys Churchyard and another at Mulberry Street to record the significance of the disaster at Felling Pit. 
Additionally a mural, depicting local and mining history was designed, produced and mounted beside Felling Metro station.