Littlethorpe courses: One Day Pottery Experience
Littlethorpe Pottery is a working heritage centre. We are the oldest continually running pottery in the country and we are the only pottery in the country that still digs its own clay.
As we still use most or the original equipment and have the entire manufacturing process on site we believe we can offer a unique pottery experience. Whilst the emphasis of this one day course is on making and trying out different manufacturing methods we do hope to give you the experience of what it was like to work in the pottery over its 180 year history.
As mentioned this course is about learning how to make pots and we believe that the best way to do this is to dig in and literally get your hands dirty, but with a lot of individual tuition. To facilitate this each course is restricted to five/six people (everyone has their own wheel) and we close the pottery for the day to run the course.
A lot of other pottery courses appear to charge for the amount of clay used and the firing of finished pots. As you might imagine when you start potting there will be the odd mistake so you do use quite a lot of clay. We want you enjoying yourself and concentrating on making not worried about how much clay you are using so you can use as much as you want and we will fire all of the pots you make at no extra cost – you will need to come and pick them up a week or so later. Otherwise we can post them to you (at your cost).
One thing we would say is it is impossible to stay clean, you will get covered in clay and whilst we can supply you with boiler suites these are not the most comfortable items to wear all day and can be restrictive when throwing pots on the wheel so we do strongly advise that you bring a comfortable change of clothing and trainers that you are happy to get dirty.
Sample itinerary for Part 1: One Day Pottery Experience |
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|---|---|
| 09:15 to 09:30 | Arrival and coffee. |
| 09:30 to 09:40 | Introduction to pottery and outline the course. |
| 09:40 to 10:30 | Dig clay and bring a load of clay back to the pottery (if weather OK). |
| 10:30 to 10:45 | Demonstrate the equipment that waters down the clay and pugs/prepares the clay. |
| 10:45 to 11:00 | Coffee break. |
| 11:00 to 12:45 | Make coil and slab pots and decorate. Put pre-made wall pots together. |
| 12:45 to 13:30 | Lunch (people can work on their coil pots if they want to). |
| 13:30 to 15:30 | Throw pots on the wheel (personal tuition). Glaze pre-made jugs or small bowls, drying and firing. |
| 15:30 to 16:15 | More wheel work or people work on any pots they want fired. |
| 16:15 to 16:30 | Wash up. Identify pots you would like fired. Complete feedback form. |
Equipment list
- A comfortable change of clothing and trainers that you are happy to get covered in clay.
- The pottery is in an unheated building so if you feel the cold please bring warm clothing.
- Whilst visiting the clay pit is weather dependant it is never really bone dry so please bring wellington boots for this aspect of the day.
- Long hair will need to be tied back and finger nails must be short.
- We srongly suggest you do not wear or bring with you any jewellery especially anything of value. All rings will need to be removed as pots are thrown on steel wheels.
Refreshments
- You will need to bring a packed lunch and drink.
- We will provide tea, coffee and biscuits throughout the day.
Parking
- Ample parking is available in the yard in front of the pottery shop.
