Norman R. Czuchra on fri 24 jan 97
We're visiting England in May and would be grateful for any information on
Potteries. I am especially interested in pierce work and wood ash though
not necessarily on the same pots. I'm hoping to find information on the
tradition of pierced pots so if you have any tips on museums I'd be
grateful. I know that Wedgewood designed some pierced pots for Queen
Charlotte's wedding and that Creamware was pierced but would like to see
some of these pots. Where to go?
We'll be there for 12 days and will rent a car. Thanks for any tips.
Candace Young
brp@abaco.coastalnet.com
TYLERCD@gov.ns.ca on sat 25 jan 97
There are lots of working potters in England, but I do not have the space
here to tell you all about that, and I assume you are asking a more
specific question about The Potteries.
This is the name given to the Five Towns (originally) now generally found
on the map as Stoke-on-Trent (one of the original 5). This is in
Staffordshire, and can be reached by train reliably via Brit Rail. I went
from Wolverhampton, but there will be a connection from any major city,
such as London or Birmingham. I suggest the train, because it is
convenient (the roads can be awful). When you alight in Stoke-on-Trent,
imediately outside the station is a big statue of Josiah himself! Also, look
for the shuttle bus service directly outside. This goes in a figure 8 route
round the 5 towns in both directions all day at frequent intervals. Buy a
ticket and you can get on and off when and where you like all day, see
the sights, have a pint and a pork pie - you will quickly get the idea!
Make time for the City Museum in Hanley (one of the 5). This has a major
collection, better than the Victoria and Albert in some respects, and will
probably have the types of pieces you are looking for (I wouldn't swear
to this as I didn't look for them specifically, but it's your best bet). Also
make time for the Gladstone Pottery Museum. This was a surprise to me,
but both my wife(who is also a potter) and myself loved it. It's a 19th
century factory, but there is enough trade craft information and
atmosphere to get anyone excited. Bottle kilns 5 stories high, a big
blunger in working order going "pocketa, pocketa, pocketa",
demonstrators ( the thrower claimed to be able to throw 1200 plates a
day - locally trained and educated). I went daft, as they say there,
having a good time.
Unlike a lot of Britain, which is not convenient for knowledgeable tourists,
I found the Potteries quite a pleasant change in this respect. It's not
scenic, but the texture of a ceramic community is unique. Not all that far
away is south Shropshire, Bath, and Bristol which are worth visiting for
scenery and historic interest, from prehistoric hill forts, Roman and
medieval sites. Bristol City Museum has a small but very choice collection
of majolica as well as Bristol glazed ware.
Despite the short distances, britain is so crowded that it takes longer to
get around than you think. If you are interested in a slightly different
experience than people usually get, and if you like to see part of the old
England, look at the West Country as I have suggested after visiting the
Potteries.
Hope you have a nice time. Send us all a post card!
Hollis Engley on sat 25 jan 97
Candace: If you're looking for wood ash-glazed pots, go to see Phil Rogers in
Wales. His address is Lower Cefn Faes, Rhayader, Powys. LD6 5LT. His phone is
0597 810875. He's a very good guy and a terrific potter. Also knows lots of
other people in Britain through the Craftsman Potters Assn.
Other potter worth a look is Toff Millway, Conderton Pottery, The Old Forge,
Conderton nr. Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. Toff's a friend of a friend,
trained at Winchcombe. Great potter.
All that said, I've never been to England, but some day ....
Hollis Engley
Lorton, Va.
Rick Sherman on sat 25 jan 97
Norman: Friends of mine who have visited England have gotten
directions to potters by contacting the offices of the Craft Potters'
Association of Great Britain and Ceramic Review, 21 Carnaby Street,
London, W1V 1PH, 0171-439-3377. They can give you contacts all over
the island. Have a good time! RS
J. Campbell on sun 26 jan 97
On Sat, 25 Jan 1997, Rick Sherman wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Norman: Friends of mine who have visited England have gotten
> directions to potters by contacting the offices of the Craft Potters'
> Association of Great Britain and Ceramic Review, 21 Carnaby Street,
> London, W1V 1PH, 0171-439-3377. They can give you contacts all over
> the island. Have a good time! RS
>
Hi i must have missed the original posting on England-where are the
potteries so amm jumping in here somewhat blind. Excuse me if I am
repeating an earlier message.
I have been to the potteries in Stoke on Trent several times and agree
with an earlier post about how to get there and get around once you get
there. Ditto for the Gladstone Museum. As I am planning a trip to
England again this summer, I have written to the Stoke on Trent Tourits
Information Centre The sent back to me, very rapidly, many brochures
and guides to everything to be seen in the area as well as a list of
accommodations, etc.
The address is Stoke on Trent
Tourist Information Centre Quadrant Road
Hanley Stoke on Trent ST1 1RZ
Telephone 011-44-1782-284600
Fax 011-44-1782 219276
011-44 is what i have to dial from Canada so it might be different in the US
I realize that I am sending this to the wrong guy but, as I said
earlier, I missed the original message . These numbers may be of
interest to someone else
June
Don Sanami on sun 26 jan 97
Hollis E. Try Cornwall...Penzance...Mouse Hole. Check the telephone
directory. Look up Ratcliffe & Sons. DonOn Sat, 25 Jan 1997, Hollis Engley
wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Candace: If you're looking for wood ash-glazed pots, go to see Phil Rogers in
> Wales. His address is Lower Cefn Faes, Rhayader, Powys. LD6 5LT. His phone is
> 0597 810875. He's a very good guy and a terrific potter. Also knows lots of
> other people in Britain through the Craftsman Potters Assn.
> Other potter worth a look is Toff Millway, Conderton Pottery, The Old Forge,
> Conderton nr. Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. Toff's a friend of a friend,
> trained at Winchcombe. Great potter.
> All that said, I've never been to England, but some day ....
> Hollis Engley
> Lorton, Va.
>
David Hewitt on sun 26 jan 97
In message , Rick Sherman writes
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Norman: Friends of mine who have visited England have gotten
>directions to potters by contacting the offices of the Craft Potters'
>Association of Great Britain and Ceramic Review, 21 Carnaby Street,
>London, W1V 1PH, 0171-439-3377. They can give you contacts all over
>the island. Have a good time! RS
>
If you wish to make some advance planning you might like to get a
booklet from the CPA at the above address called 'Potters'. It lists all
the CPA members in the UK with addresses, some biographical details and
photos of their work.
In addition to the suggestions made by others re: The Victoria and
Albert Museum in London and the Stoke City Museum and Gladstone Museum
in Stoke, you might also consider the Wedgwood factory near Stoke. Also,
if you are in the Liverpool area the Lady Lever Museum at Port Sunlight,
they have an excellent collection of Wedgwood.
From the original request of this information I see you will be hiring a
car. Travel distance in the UK are relatively short compared to many
parts of the world. I live outside Newport in South Wales and yesterday
I spent a day in London. Leaving Newport at 8.30am by coach and being
dropped near Piccadilly Circus at 11.30am. Left London from the same
spot at 6.15pm and back in Newport at 9.00pm.
David Hewitt
David Hewitt Pottery Caerleon, Tel:- 01633 420647
7 Fairfield Road, Caerleon, Newport, South Wales, UK.
URL http://digitalfire.com/magic/hewitt.htm
Jeanette Harris on sun 26 jan 97
The Victoria & Albert in London should have creamware and examples of
Wedgewood. You could also drive into the midlands to the Staffordshire
pottery districts and visit various museums. Wedgewood has one. Check
with the British Tourist Board for more information about hours and days.
I would highly recommend a visit to the Spode factory. They have an
outstanding museum. (Can't recall the town it's located in at the moment)
If you have some time in London, soem of the very upmarket antique stores
will have the odd peice or two. I vividly remember the day I picked up
some prize pieces (handled--not bought) : )
June Perry on mon 27 jan 97
Hi:
The Craft Museum used to sell a paperback book listing the potters in England
with a representational photo of their work, their addresses and
showroom/visiting information. The Craft Potters guild also has a wonderful
shop in London and they may also sell the book. There are wonderful shops and
galleries throughout London selling pots of all kinds. Check the yellow pages
when you get there and ask the other galleries to point you in the right
direction.
Regards,
June
Liz Willoughby on mon 27 jan 97
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>We're visiting England in May and would be grateful for any information on
>Potteries. I am especially interested in pierce work and wood ash though
>not necessarily on the same pots. I'm hoping to find information on the
>tradition of pierced pots so if you have any tips on museums I'd be
>grateful. I know that Wedgewood designed some pierced pots for Queen
>Charlotte's wedding and that Creamware was pierced but would like to see
>some of these pots. Where to go?
>
>We'll be there for 12 days and will rent a car. Thanks for any tips.
>
>Candace Young
>brp@abaco.coastalnet.com
Hello Candace,
The first thing that you should do when you go to England is spend a couple
of days in London. Go to the Contemporary Ceramics Craft Potters Shop and
Gallery, located at 7 Marshall St and buy their latest edition of
"Potters", it is a directory of Fellows and Professional Members of the
Craft Potters Assoc. There are photographs and directions to members
studios. It is a wonderful book to have while you are travelling because
you can select which potteries you want to visit and plan your trip around
it. While in London, go to the Victoria and Albert Museum of Decorative
Arts. It is a wonderful museum with collections of all kinds of ceramics.
The British Museum probably would also have what you are interested in.
In the north there is "Stoke-on-Trent", where there are numerous potteries,
plus the Gladstone Pottery Museum. In Nottingham there is the Rufford Arts
Centre, where there is a gallery and shop, and it is set in a huge park.
Last year I saw a wood-fired exhibition there which I will never forget.
In the south in Bath, there is the Holburne Museum and Crafts Study Centre.
There are endless potteries. For a potter or for anyone interested in
pottery, England is a wonderful place to visit. The pubs help too. Hope
this helps. Liz
P.S. Marshall St. is behind Liberty's, close to Carnaby St.
Liz Willoughby
R.R. 1
Grafton. Ontario
Canada. K0K 2G0
Hluch - Kevin A. on tue 28 jan 97
This is, indeed, a very good idea. Between our two years in Kenya we
received a home leave and spent 10 days in England with a rented car and
that book. We stayed in bed-and-breakfasts and visited John Maltby, David
Leach, Walter Keeler, Mick Casson as well as numerous others (St. Ives and
John Leach Pottery). It was a whirlwind tour. Fortunately, I had a year
of practicing drive on the "wrong" side of the road in Kenya.
We bought a lot of pots (our carry-on was dicey) and met some really
wonderful people. I highly recommend it. Also, while in the country side
we were almost knocked out of our lawn chairs by the low flying RAF.(One
of the disadvantages of a small country.)
Kevin A. Hluch
102 E. 8th St.
Frederick, MD 21701
USA
On Mon, 27 Jan 1997, June Perry wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Hi:
>
> The Craft Museum used to sell a paperback book listing the potters in England
> with a representational photo of their work, their addresses and
> showroom/visiting information. The Craft Potters guild also has a wonderful
> shop in London and they may also sell the book. There are wonderful shops and
> galleries throughout London selling pots of all kinds. Check the yellow pages
> when you get there and ask the other galleries to point you in the right
> direction.
>
> Regards,
> June
>
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