Frances Howard on wed 28 nov 07
I recently visited the Wynchcombe pottery near Worcester in England, which is remarkable for the potter. Ray Finch, who founded it with Michael Cardew in 1936, is still working there at the age of 93. That's 70 plus years I believe. I was there around lunch time and he was not there then (I think he is entitled for some time off for lunch), but 2 of his employees were and we were able to look around the showroom and some of the working areas.. I believe his son is involved with it too, but I don't know how much.
The potting was exquisite, we saw cups (large ones) and saucers being waxed and dipped. (Mugs are not quite so common in England as in N America). I think Ray Finch is remaining remarkably true to his first principes, i.e. good pots at affordable prices for everyday use for everyone. The glazes were simple in that there was little decoration and the colours were muted. But the shapes were beautiful and they were lovely to hold.
The place had an air of sadness about it though as they were missing their best (employee) potter. He had died in the awful floods they had in late summer. It was the stuff of nightmares, He had been trapped in a groundfloor room with water rising until only his head was out of water and only then was he able to break a window and escape. He was taken to hospital and released and shortly after died. There is to be an inquest of couse as who knows the cause. So I don't know how long the pottery will continue, maybe indefinitely, but there was a feeling of tragedy and trauma around.
You have to admire someone who really devotes his whole life, and such a long one, to making pots. I thought that some of the English potters who now live around the world but who have probably been to Wynchcombe might be interested in this update.
Frances Howard.
Helen Bates on fri 30 nov 07
On Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:05:30 -0400, Frances Howard
wrote:
>I recently visited the Wynchcombe pottery near Worcester in England, which
is remarkable for the potter. Ray Finch, who founded it with Michael Cardew
in 1936, is still working there at the age of 93. That's 70 plus years I
believe.
http://www.winchcombepottery.co.uk/ (note the spelling is with an "i" not a
"y."
Helen B.
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
For Clayarters' web links, see: http://amsterlaw.com/clayart/
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