My Half Term - A Trip to the West Country

This half term I was without husband or children as they all had something better to do, so I decided to take the opportunity to stay with my sister, Julia, in Somerset and arranged for us to visit some local potters.

Saturday
I picked up Josie in Bristol on my way down to Somerset, we called in at Auntie Ann's for delicious homemade soup and then popped over to see Karen Edwards at Barley Wood Walled Garden, Wrington.  Karen makes lovely garden (and indoor) sculptures and practical stoneware items. Her studio is in such a beautiful location with views out over the Mendips. It was a surprise to discover that I had one of Karen's birds in my back garden, it was a present from Ann to John about five years ago. Here it is on our kitchen floor.

Sunday
We headed out onto the Mendips, here are Josie, Alexander and Julia at Charterhouse

Josie the Geologist is examining fossils in the Limestone near Velvet Bottom

Monday
Our morning visit was to Philip Wood near Frome.  Philip showed us his new studio and we chatted about his amazing sprigging technique and many other things.

These are pots destined for an exhibition in Japan

Ware boards full of beautiful finished pots

Small pot 7cm wide

Wide mug 7cm high

Scraffito inside the mug

In the afternoon we went to Barrington Court and drank tea and chatted to Paul Jessop for a couple of hours.  I forgot to take any photos I was so engrossed in looking around and listening to Paul.  I have been following Paul on his blog and facebook so it was good to meet him in person.

Green slipware mug

By this time we were feeling a bit peckish but a community shop saved the day, then we moved on to our next destination, John Leach's Pottery at Muchelney.

The kiln had been opened on Friday so there were plenty of pots for us to choose from, Nick Rees showed us around and explained how the wood fired climbing kiln operates.

Pots out of the kiln at Muchelney

The pottery has nearly completely recovered from the flooding last November, you can see a news report here.  The wheels were moved out of the workshop into the gallery so that Johnnie, Nick and Mark could continue working.  The kiln firing had to be delayed until it had dried out.

Sweet jug 9cm high

8.5cm high

Nick Rees individual piece 9cm high

Tuesday

On Tuesday morning we heading out to Butleigh near Glastonbury to meet Mike Dodd.  I have seen Doves Workshops in the Goldmark video about Mike, but it was great to see it in real life. We were left to browse in the showroom, we were in there for a long time, it was all so lovely we couldn't decide what to buy.

10cm high

23cm diameter

Here is what I did buy

16cm high

Small ginger jar 11cm high

Large Lidded Jar 21cm high

For lunch we went to the Willow and Wetlands centre, I bought a lovely wicker tray to display my pots on.  Julia was given a bag of willow strippings to use as a natural dye for wool.

Wicker push chairs

Later in the day we popped into Wells and went shopping, I bought this Cider Flagon in a second hand shop (it was in with the garden tools)

Flagon with original cork and disintegrated  seal  for the tap

It appears that it may be a Winchcombe pot made by Ray Finch, there is no potter's mark but it has the right glaze and the features seem to indicate its authenticity.  I am thrilled with it, as soon as I picked it up I knew it was special but I didn't know how special.  I was particularly pleased to get five pounds off the marked price and took it home for £20!

I also bought a John Leach individual plate, dated 1995, another great find, that was hiding on a windowsill in the same shop.

Wednesday

On Wednesday I ventured into Devon on my own, first stop Hollyford Pottery to see Doug Fitch. Tea and a tour were provided and a good chat about all things clay.  Again I forgot to take any photos, but here are two beautiful jugs I came home with.

In the afternoon I drove onto Woodbury for more tea this time with Tim Andrews. I wanted to buy one of Tim's beautiful porcelain cups but he didn't have any to sell, so I had to content myself with admiring Tim's garden which is looking great.  He has put so much work into it and it was very impressive which is especially difficult at this time of year.

Before heading home I stopped in at my niece in Budleigh Salterton and you guessed it for more tea and chat.

I really enjoyed my short trip to Somerset and Devon, I am already planning the next one.  First I have to find somewhere to put all my new pots, I might have to buy some new shelving.