Coalminers' Grandson

When I was growing up in Wales, coal mining was a still an important industry. Both of my grandpas had worked in the mines earlier in their lives, and they strongly encouraged me to study hard, so that I could get a "good" job -- in other words, not in coal mining.

Once, when I was about seven years old, my paternal grandfather pulled a card from his wallet and asked me to read it aloud. It certified that he was exempted from military service during World War 1, because he was employed in an essential industry -- coal mining.

His father was killed before he was born, in a mining disaster that took 108 lives. The inclined shaft entrance, and remains of the mine buildings, were still visible just a couple of miles from where we lived. They've since been obliterated by strip mining.

I never did work in the mines, but I went underground once on a school field trip, and was very glad I didn't have to.

Cynthia bought the cheese locally. The replica miners' lamp was a gift from my sister and brother-in-law.