So, I’m Rob, and I’m thirty-something from Stoke -on-Trent. The Five (then six) towns of Stoke were quite famous during the industrial revolution; Pottery form Stoke is world famous, but also extensive coal mining, and in the wider area, mineral extraction at places like Cauldon Lowe and Oakamoor, as well as the steel works at Shelton Bar, and the North Staffordshire Railway company, which remained independent until amalgamation in 1923.

At different places in Stoke and the surrounding area, the industrial past has been preserved, and in some case, left intact, and this gave me a real interest in industrial history.

Also having family involved in industry past has helped – my Grandfather on my Mum’s side worked at Shelton Bar steelworks as an engine fireman and later driver.

My interest in photography developed with my interest in railways, and still remember my first SLR camera being a Centon K100 back in 1998.