Went for a family stroll in the hot sun around Trentham near Stoke-on-Trent today.

This is the old ballroom which was the venue for the big 'gigs' in Stoke for decades.

The Trentham estate was originally the property of the Dukes of Sutherland.

My Great-grandfather was a forester on the estate but with 10 children to feed

left to work in the local coal-mine tending the ponies

- for an extra two shillings per week (that's 10 English pence / 18 US cents!)

My Grandfather, Father, Uncle and Cousin all worked in the same pit after him.

(* The building needs a lick of paint too!)