Just read that the last pit pony in Britain has died - Sparky was 36yrs old and spent 13 of his years working in Ellington colliery in Northumberland. Working pit ponies only lived to around 14yrs so he's had a long and hopefully happy retirement. Reminded me of the Jez Lowe song Galloways Grazing, about the blind pit ponies he saw around his home town. I don't think Sparky was blind, at least I hope not. End of yet another era.....