Eastnor Pottery and The Flying Potter - Pottery Experiences for families, groups and individuals
St George and the dragon provide the inspiration for this fantastic opportunity for young potters to get their hands on real clay during the school Easter Holidays.
1.5 hr sessions are designed to suit two age groups, 4-8yrs on wed & 9-12yrs on Thurs, although younger or older siblings are welcome to join their brothers and sisters! £15 per child with a 10% discount for x3 or more spaces booked. Places can only be reserved by telephoning 01531 633886 or email admin@eastnorpottery.co.uk
Now it was time for the grown ups to sample the delights of foot powered pottery.
I’d booked a stand at the Hereford & Worcester Expo 2013 at The Three Counties Showground in Malvern. Visitors were encouraged to pair up and try their hand at making a pot on the kick wheel. Despite the business suits and smart atire the majority of visitors were up for the challenge and I wasnt short of willing volunteers.
The activity always makes for some lovely photographs.
Great to be back at Marlbrook Primary School in Hereford working with Yr5.
Ms Ryder and myself thought it would be fun for the 60 yr5 pupils to sample a kick wheel instead of the usual electric machine I usually travel with. One child could power the wheel while another handle the clay on the wheel head – then swap over.
I always like to start with a demo and it was during the first few kicks that it dawned on me that I may have underestimated the task in hand. Slightly out of breath and a sheen of perspiration on my brow I exclaimed “Ok, now it’s your turn!”
It was clear no matter how enthusiastic the children were, they were really going to struggle to keep the wheel at speed. The thought of personally providing the engine for x60 pots before home time..well you know that sinking feeling!
Having worked with the parents at E.P HQ it was now time to engage the children at Washwood Heath Nursery School in a little numeracy/clay crossover.
Just how many bugs can you fit on a giant clay leaf?
Working with so many people (approx. 10, 000 a year!) I inevitably share my pottery skills with artists and creatives who work in other media.
These exquisite clay tiles were made by a Jeweller, who also volunteers as a youth worker at TVYP in Wigmore. The young people we are working with are making a collaborative tile panel in the shape of a tree destined to be hung on an exterior wall at the Youth Centre.
