Three Welsh families have been hand-picked to live in 1927 for four weeks this autumn.

The families will travel back in time to live life as it was in a mining community in 1927 as part of BBC Wales’ ambitious Coal House television series, which will be broadcast on BBC One Wales and BBC Two.

The Cartwright Family are lucky enough to be amongst the chosen three.

* Joe Cartwright, 48, is a Professor of Geology at Cardiff University

* Kitty Cartwright, 11, is a pupil at Sully Primary School

Joe has been working in Arizona in the run up to Coal House, walking for miles in the heat each day, which he hopes will help with stamina. The family are members of CADW and frequent visitors to historic sites, so when they saw an article on Coal House they knew it was for them.

They are especially excited about stepping into history rather than just looking at it. The children say they will miss their West Highland Terrier Bertie, as well as Bebo and MSN.

They will all miss being able to jump in the car. Annabel says she will miss everything about her life, but they love family adventures (they’ve travelled New Zealand for six weeks and lived in USA for three months).

Joe’s father went to work in the pit at 14, as did both his grandfathers. His great-great grandfather was killed in a mining accident.