By Mamie Colfox

A miner turned trade unionist who is portrayed in an award-winning film will be guest speaker at a screening of the movie in Dorchester tomorrow.

David 'Dai' Donovan is played by Paddy Considine in the film Pride.

He is the guest speaker for the screening of the film, which is based on a true story about an unusual collaboration between the Welsh miners and a group of gay and lesbian activists.

These two very opposite groups join to form a powerful partnership ending with triumphant results.

Mr Donovan only found out he was a main character after filming had begun when the writers approached him.

He represented the Neath, Swansea and Dulais Valley during the miners' strikes and played a huge role in bringing together the miners and the Lesbian and Gays Support the Miners group.

The film is set in the summer of 1984 when Margaret Thatcher is Prime Minister and the National Union of Mineworkers has gone on strike.

Mr Donovan said that Shire Hall was a particularly appropriate setting for the screening because the former courtroom building "stands as a monument to a legal system which was intended to protect the wealthy and those in power".

With this in mind, it reminds people of when the LGBTQ community were persecuted simply for loving who they loved.

He added: "The treatment of homosexual men and the struggle of working people needs constantly to be monitored and, where necessary, to be protected. I am particularly honoured and very pleased to be part of this evening, which will draw these themes together in the showing of ‘Pride’.

Mr Donovan's message to young people in Dorset today is that "it is not enough to make your views known through social media.

"To effect real change, you have to go out of your comfort zone, join with others, to argue and to defend what you believe in. Together you are stronger.”

The screening will take place this Thursday, October 10 at 7pm in the Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum, and will be followed by a Q&A session with Mr Donovan.

The evening is part of the museum's new exhibition: Desire, Love, Identity: Exploring LGBTQ Histories.

To book tickets, visit shirehalldorset.org