I am writing this from the South Wales Valleys, where today I fulfilled my ambition of going down a coal mine – if you know my work, you may already know that I have a fascination with things subterranean. The colliery was Big Pit in Blaenafon, near Abergavenny. My journey into the mine was an illuminating experience. I went down a 90 metre shaft and walked about a mile of the 45 mile labyrinth of tunnels which chase the seams of ‘black gold’.

I also learnt about the human costs – children as young as six working in brutal conditions, as well as the constant dangers to the miners, and the tragic lives of pit ponies. However, I also learnt about the camaraderie and community bonds which are still remembered fondly by the former miners.

In other news, I have just confirmed a solo show for January 2014 at the Vestry Museum, Walthamstow Village, London which will run for eight weeks. I am busy organising the works for this exhibition and I will post more details shortly.

I have also been invited to submit a piece for a wood engraving exhibition in Seattle, USA. For anyone who may be in that part of the world, this will be at the Davidson Galleries, 313 Occidental Avenue South, Seattle WA 98104 from 5 December 2013.

Finally, just a reminder that the Society of Wood Engravers exhibition is continuing on to Dartington in Devon later this month, before coming to London in the new year.