Janet Kaiser on sat 21 jul 01
It all just shows how times have changed from what we
would consider criminal negligence to the exceeding
strict rules (some say excessive) and regulations in
place today...
I was talking to Ray Finch, the grand daddy of UK
potters about The Good Old Days at Winchcombe Pottery
(of Michael Cardew fame). I asked about lead and if
anyone ever suffered the effects of using it. He said
no, not to his knowledge and anyway, the doctor would
come around about once a month to check...
"Would he take hair or nail clippings?" I asked.
"Oh, no" replied Mr. Finch airily. "He just looked at
our gums".
I obviously looked rather baffled, because he explained
that if someone was suffering from lead poisoning,
their gums would turn blue.
I repeated what I had heard to another potter later in
the day, who said he had heard that in The Potteries
(area of the UK known for manufacture of pots and still
major home of clay supplies) anyone who became a glazer
would die within a year or two in the 19th century.
This was when manufacturing had developed to the degree
that each person had a very specialised job, which they
did all day long. Dipping pots in lead glaze all day,
10 hours per day, six days a week was obviously not
good for the health. Needless to say, glazing was not a
popular job!
I wonder if they would have worn gloves if they had
been available? It is like the potter I was talking to
this evening... Only cleans out his studio once a year
and although he has an extractor fan, he does not use
it because it is so expensive to run. Not really worth
it either, considering the amount of dust which is
laying around. He has masks, but does not wear them
either. "After all, we have to die of something". I
sincerely hope it is old age, because that guy makes
seriously good (non-functional) pots!
Janet Kaiser - tired of the cold! Only 11 oC here today
and the wind is blowing hard as I write. Pity the
couple celebrating their ruby wedding anniversary
tomorrow... Chose a traditional English Garden Party
and have told all the guests to wear a pretty or
outrageous hat. Very interesting in this lot... Fifty
hats blowing out to sea could be quite interesting to
witness. I wonder if our resident dolphins will play
with them? Must watch out for that...
The Chapel of Art . Capel Celfyddyd
HOME OF THE INTERNATIONAL POTTERS' PATH
Criccieth LL52 0EA, GB-Wales Tel: (01766) 523570
E-mail: postbox@the-coa.org.uk
WEBSITE: http://www.the-coa.org.uk
----- Original Message -----
> I wear disposable gloves for glazing, because some
glazes
> irritate my skin. But it's not the mold.
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