Latest news with #GreatPotteryThrowDown
Powys County Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Powys: Welshpool pottery workshop was perfect hen party
'The bride-to-be would like to do some pottery…' were not the words I expected to hear when I asked about her forthcoming hen party plans. But as it turns out, it was one of the best hen parties I've been on. There's a growing trend among brides-to-be who are stepping away from the traditional alcohol-fuelled nights out and doing something different. But an evening like we had would be perfect for a birthday or a simple get-together. We headed to Welshpool for a taster session with Tara Squibb Ceramics, which is based just outside the town centre and was all set up for us to complete — hopefully — two pieces. The first, would be a ceramic pocket that would hang on the wall, and the second would be to create a piece on the potter's wheel, in true ' Great Pottery Throw Down ' style. Tara gave us a quick demonstration before letting us do our thing. I hopped onto one of the four pottery wheels first and, with a lump of clay in front of me, pressed the pedal and hoped it wouldn't fly off and hit my mother-in-law who was sitting opposite. As someone who had a quick go once in school, it's certainly harder than it looks. You have to 'fight' with the clay to get it in the centre of the wheel, make sure it doesn't dry out, and then hope you can keep it circular as you start to create a well in the middle. But this is where it gets really hard. You then have to tease the walls up. You don't want the wheel to go too quickly, you don't want the walls to get too thin, and you don't want the clay to dry out. Mine was going ok — or so I thought — when disaster struck and the wall of my pot cracked and the whole thing flopped. Tara tried to save it, but it was gonner, so off it went to 'Keith', the bucket where all the scraps go. I kept Keith busy with my second attempt, but on my third and final attempt, I took my time, tried to remember everything Tara had said and managed to create something that resembled a small pot crossed with a vase — I'll let you decide — but I'm sure I'll find a use for it at home. Some of those with me were much more at ease with the wheel, creating two or three different items, including pots, bowls and dishes. After a quick clean-up, I went over to the pocket-making station. I'm not particularly imaginative when it comes to art, and I won't lie, I stole some ideas from the other girls. As time was running short after my three goes on the wheel, I decided to keep it simple. Tara had provided lots of different tools to create patterns. From lace doilies to buttons, letter stamps to cutters, there was a plethora of items we could use, and it really demonstrated, as Tara said herself, how you can give a piece of clay to a group of people and not one of them will produce the same thing. Before we knew it, three hours had flown by, and most importantly, the bride-to-be had had an amazing time, as had the rest of us. A few of us are keen to have another go again. Tara was fantastic. She kept an eye on everyone and provided support and ideas wherever they were needed, but equally was happy to take a step back and let us have a go. She will let the items dry out before putting them in the kiln, and hopefully, in a few weeks, we will get an email to say they are ready.
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Moorcroft Pottery collapses after more than 100 years due to high energy bills
Moorcroft Pottery has ceased trading more than 100 years after first opening in Britain. On 30 April, the Stoke-on-Trent based company announced with 'deep sadness' that its directors had appointed Moore Recovery to help it go into voluntary liquidation. As a result of the company's collapse, 57 members of staff lost their jobs this week. On its website, Moorcroft said any creditors would be contacted by insolvency experts at Moore Recovery 'in due course.' Earlier this year, Moorcroft warned of potential redundancies and said the firm's energy costs had risen by nearly £250,000 in just two years. Great Pottery Throw Down judge Keith Brymer Jones said no company could sustain such an increase in energy costs. Gone for good: Moorcroft Pottery has ceased trading more than 100 years after first opening Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, Brymer Jones said: 'It's incredibly sad news. 'We've been crying out for support for the ceramics industry and Stoke-on-Trent as a whole for years. 'It's never been considered a major industry in this country.' He added: 'It's 57 families that are connected to those jobs and the surrounding area, the support network, the shops, the cafes that all go with it. 'We're bloody good at making stuff here, there's a longstanding tradition of ceramics and we sell ceramics all over the world and we literally can't afford to lose this skillset.' GMB Organiser, Chris Hoofe, said on Thursday: 'The closure of Moorcroft is devastating news for workers and their families, but unfortunately it's not a surprise. 'The high cost of energy is crippling the ceramics sector in the UK and has directly led to the loss of 57 jobs at Moorcroft. 'The Government must act and act now to support the ceramics sector and protect workers in this sector.' Call for action: Great Pottery Throw Down judge Keith Brymer Jones said the ceramics sector needs more support A spokesperson for Ceramics UK, also based in Stoke-on-Trent, told This is Money: 'Ceramics UK is deeply saddened to learn of the announcement that Moorcroft Pottery has ceased trading after more than 100 years. 'This regrettable news underscores the significant challenges currently facing the UK ceramics sector, including soaring energy costs, increased international competition, and a difficult trading environment. 'These pressures are making it increasingly difficult for even established and celebrated manufacturers to remain viable. 'Ceramics UK is actively engaging with the government and relevant stakeholders to highlight the urgent need for support for our vital industry.' A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade said: 'We know this will be a concerning time for Moorcroft Pottery workers and their families. 'Ministers continue to engage closely with the ceramics sector to understand the challenges and provide support, ensuring the industry is globally competitive as part of our plan for change.' History of Moorcroft Moorcroft Pottery traces its roots back to 1897 and has been based at its current headquarters in Stoke-on-Trent since 1913. The first pieces of fine art pottery from Moorcroft were designed by William Moorcroft and launched in 1897 while he was employed at James Macintyre & Co. William Moorcroft was a graduate of what is now the Royal College of Art in London. In 1913, and with the aid of substantial funds from Liberty, William Moorcroft was able to move production of his art pottery to the present factory in Sandbach Road under the name of W. Moorcroft Limited. In 1928, after winning many gold medals and prestigious international awards, Moorcroft was appointed 'Potters to H. M. The Queen', an honour which William Moorcroft accepted on behalf of his company. Walter Moorcroft became the company's sole Moorcroft designer in 1945. Walter Moorcroft developed his own style and introduced many exotic flowers into the firm's pottery designs. Bolder colours and designs began to emerge from the Moorcroft kilns after the Second World War. From 1993 until 1997, design at Moorcroft was spearheaded by ceramic graduate, Rachel Bishop. Before its demise this week, Moorcroft had five ceramic designers.
BBC News
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Gladstone Pottery Museum celebrates 50th anniversary
A museum dedicated to pottery is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its official Pottery Museum in the village of Longton in Stoke-on-Trent attracts thousands of visitors every year, and it is where Channel 4's popular Great Pottery Throw Down is filmed.A pottery factory first opened on the site in 1787, but the bottle kilns were fired for the last time in 1960, and the site was put up for sale. The Grade II* listed building was eventually opened as a museum on 24 April 1975 by Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester. The city council took ownership in 1989. Gladstone's golden anniversary was marked with a special event on Thursday. The Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Lyn Sharpe, and Kelvin the Kiln, the city's centenary mascot, met the staff and volunteers who give the many visitors a warm said: "We built this city on the hugely successful and traditional ceramics industry. It's what gained us city status in the first place, so I'm incredibly proud to be able to celebrate 50 years of honouring that heritage at Gladstone."The fabulous staff and volunteers really bring the story of the city I love to life. "They've done an amazing job over the last 50 years of showcasing the skills and creativity that mean our local industry is known throughout the world." One volunteer, Paul Niblett, has worked tirelessly at Gladstone since 1971 – even meeting his wife, Kathy, in a bottle kiln at the Niblett said: "When we're open, I like the opportunity of saying hello to our visitors, particularly to express thanks for coming. "I recently chatted to folks from Crewe, Huddersfield and Preston. A couple of weeks ago, my chats included people from Australia and America."There is no doubt that the museum is a magnet for people wanting to learn more about our internationally renowned ceramics industry, whether they be schoolchildren, college students, heritage enthusiasts or addicts of well-known TV programmes. Everyone is welcome."And he added: "Sadly, I've lost a number of stalwart comrades over the years, but I always remember them, especially when we're greasing a throwing wheel, emptying a slip ark or splicing a drive rope. "They have all contributed to the extraordinary success of Gladstone Pottery Museum." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Deaf model from Cheltenham appears in British Vogue
A young woman with a hearing impairment has featured in British Vogue, modelling designer hearing aid Harris, 22, from Cheltenham, was featured in the February edition of the world-famous fashion magazine, published on January 15, after working with designer Destiny Pinto, who creates fashionable medical Pinto recently won the Vogue and BMW Future Creators competition and Ms Harris was chosen to model her designs."I had massive imposter syndrome, but it was incredible," said Miss Harris, who has also appeared on this year's series of Channel 4's Great Pottery Throw Down. "So many people will look at that magazine and be able to relate." Miss Harris was born deaf and had two hearing aids but she said she mostly relied on lip explained that growing up she did not see anyone like her on television or social media until her late face masks were introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, it meant she found it very difficult to understand did not want to get a cochlear implant because she was "embarrassed to have something so visual" and "didn't want to embrace it".However, since having her operation in December 2023, she has felt "amazing".She said it made her feel "stronger and happier"."In the last two years I have accepted who I am because I can either be unhappy for 80 years of my life, or accept it and make some change," she hearing aids, a cochlear implant does not amplify sounds, it sends sound signals directly to the auditory nerve, bypassing damaged parts of the inner has external parts including a microphone and speech processor, but it also has an internal receiver which is implanted under the skin behind the ear into the cochlea. 'Barriers can be overcome' When she was recovering from her operation, she decided to apply for season eight of The Great Pottery Throw Down, which aired on 5 January, and made it through the audition process."On the first day I was there, they connected my implant, by bluetooth, to the microphone the judges were wearing."This meant that even if she sat on a far away table she could still hear said this was a huge positive because "these barriers can be overcome, and people who don't have disabilities get the opportunity to learn about someone who is different".She added that her mother had supported her the whole way through each journey and that she "wouldn't be here" without her.
BBC News
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Stoke-on-Trent pottery museum to host ceramics makers' market
A ceramics market is returning to Stoke-on-Trent amid ongoing concern about the future of the event, at Gladstone Pottery Museum on Saturday, will be attended by contestants from The Great Pottery Throw Down and about 60 makers, the city council in the city's pottery industry called for more government support after Royal Stafford entered liquidation last month, with a second firm, Portmeirion, also confirming leader Jane Ashworth said the market would be a "fantastic event" for both aspiring potters and fans of the television pottery competition. She added the venue had hosted a number of similar events over the years, which were always popular."Our centenary year is in full swing right now so what better way to showcase our brilliant city than with an event that celebrates all things pottery," Ashworth added. Contestants Jonathan Jolly, Steve Brown and Natalie Simms from the latest series of The Great Pottery Throw Down are due to attend, alongside representatives from local firms Burslem Pottery and Scruffy Little Herbert. The ceramic makers' market will run from 11:00 GMT until 16:00. Entry is free of charge, with advance booking not will be stalls offering a range of clay artworks for sale, from traditional works to abstract will also be able to view a Great Pottery Throw Down exhibition which opened at the venue earlier this month as part of the city's 100th anniversary display features six bird baths the TV potters were challenged to create in episode seven of the show to reflect the area's industrial heritage, green spaces and waterways. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
