As part of my research into mining for The National Theatre of Wales, I thought I’d start by examining my relationship with coal.

My life with coal.

Born Herefordshire 1956 - red soil, red cows drooling over lush grass – coal came delivered by Burt, bent and black under his hundredweight sack. I thrilled to hear his knock and his lame clump through the scratchy crush of spilled slack. I was impressed by his strength, though if my dad was home from work,…