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the great pottery throwdown 2022 logo

the great pottery throwdown 2022 logoWith another series of The Great Pottery Throwdown on the telly, potters, ceramics course providers, manufacturers of pottery equipment and clay suppliers are riding a considerable wave of interest. We’ve been offering remarkable pottery experiences from our idyllic Herefordshire studio for nearly 30 years. Whenever GPTD hits the screens, we are inundated with course participants and wannabe potters, most of whom are sampling the delights of the potter’s wheel for the very first time.

Having been inspired by the programme, our students soon discover the magical attraction of throwing clay, the very same, no doubt that enticed GPTD contestants to start making in the first place.

the great pottery throwdown contestants for 2022

Here’s a few reasons why making pottery on the potter’s wheel is so popular.

To achieve a ‘good pot’, you must concentrate on what you are doing. So much so, there is little capacity to dwell on anything other than the clay in hand. All the ‘other stuff’ fizzing around your head dissolves and a sense of well-being and relaxation prevails. Making pottery is a go to activity for many wishing to unwind after the rigors of the day. Just try and find a pottery evening class with less than a three-year waiting list!

surprise birthday pottery session in the heart of the uk

Under correct tuition, throwing a pot is a skill easily attainable in a short space of time. The sense of achievement produced by making your very own pot, for all its wobbles and imperfections, is undeniable.

five women holding wodden boards with ceramic creations they have made standing outside eastnor pottery next to the eastnor pottery sign

Doing anything with others often amplifies enjoyment of the activity. Although classes at Eastnor Pottery are small, individuals and couples’ bond over the experience of making – a creative community is established and the camaraderie between participants is tangible. On our Introduction to the Potter’s Wheel class , participants share a wheel between two, taking turns to make pots. Just as much technique can be learnt watching your potting partner as when you are sat at the wheel yourself. Shared experience – you can’t beat it!

The excitement and exhilaration of trying something for the first time makes for a memorable experience. You always remember the ‘first time’ and making something with your very own hands reinforces that memory…quite literally ‘making’ memories.

Above all, the potter’s wheel is great fun. What can be more hilarious than watching somebody grapple with a lump of wet, spinning mud!? The audible joy and laughter emanating from Eastnor Pottery on a Saturday afternoon is life affirming.

have a go on the potter's wheel is hilarious fun at eastnor pottery

If you would like to experience the benefits of throwing clay on the potter’s wheel then please take a look at our ever so popular Introduction to the Potter’s Wheel Class or if you fancy a totally immersive experience, our weekend and one day Potter’s Wheel Courses  might be just the thing.

The Great Pottery Throwdown is currently broadcast every Sunday at 7.45pm on Channel 4. It’s also repeated on More 4 on a Friday evening at 7.45pm.

couple watch each other make a pot on the potter's wheel at eastnor pottery herefordshire

call for applications for next series of pottery throwdown

call for applications for next series of pottery throwdown

Are you looking to throw yourself into a new challenge? Maybe you simply want to show the nation your work? Submit your application to take part in Series 5 of The Great Pottery Throw Down. www.applyforpotterythrowdown.co.uk

Applications close Sunday 11th April 2021

Eastnor Pottery

 

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We’ve just reached 2000 followers on Instagram. Hurrah!

To celebrate this mini-landmark, we organised a prize draw with a Clay Modelling experience for a family of four as the giveaway prize. (value £80)

To enter, participants had to ‘like’ the post promoting the giveaway, follow our @eastnorpottery account and finally tag a friend. Entrants could use one tag per comment but with no restriction on the number of comments – the more tags, the better chance of winning!

We had over 170 entries and congratulations to @minkylucy who was first out of the hat!

sarah monk and jon williams from eastnor pottery
sarah monk and jon williams from eastnor pottery

During the February half term we’re broadcasting a short series of FREE & LIVE how-to-do pottery tutorials on our Facebook page.

Mon 15 Feb 11.00am Monster Monday – how to make a coil pot monster.

Wed 17 Feb 11.00am Wheel Wednesday – the potter’s wheel.

Fri 19 Feb 11.00am Fish on Friday- how to make a clay fish.

See you there! 🎥 xx

introduction to the potter's wheel participants at eastnor pottery

As we prepare to close our doors for the 2nd National Lockdown, we’d like to share this article commissioned by our valued partners Virgin Experience Days and penned by Kam Scott at The PHA Group

It succinctly records our experience of emerging from the 1st National Lockdown in July.

Jon Williams, 50, from Ledbury, Herefordshire set up Eastnor Pottery with his wife Sarah Monk, also 50, 26 years ago. Since then, they’ve been teaching the British public how to get to grips with a potter’s wheel and coach them through the process of clay throwing.

“It’s our baby”, Jon says, “What started out as a studio where Sarah and I made pots to be sold all over the world became our everything – a place where we could do what we loved and work with other people. We never factored in the possibility of our business being affected by a global pandemic – who does?!”

Like many other small businesses, COVID-19 threw the future of Eastnor Pottery into complete chaos. In total, Eastnor Pottery was closed for just over 15 weeks, from 17th March until 4th July. At one point, Jon was forced to start thinking about other work: “It was really concerning. I just couldn’t see how we could sustain what we do here. I seriously dabbled with the idea of becoming a postman to keep us afloat.”

pottery class participants socially distanced at eastnor pottery in herefordshire

Before COVID-19, Eastnor Pottery employed a core team of four people, increasing to seven in the summer months during Peak season. When lockdown hit, Jon and Sarah had to shrink the team right back to just the two of them: “The uncertainty of the situation was very unsettling. As a business owner you are responsible for the wellbeing of your staff. Having to shut up shop for three months meant there was no work for our employees. Luckily, we were able to access the furlough scheme and the government’s small business grant.”

Working with Virgin Experience Days meant that the team had a huge number of classes to put on hold. This really shone a light on some of the admin processes that needed revamping and in a bittersweet turn of events, lockdown allowed Jon and Sarah the time to address these issues: “I’m historically one of those people who will write myself a note and then find it two weeks later, Jon laughs, “Our admin system really needed updating and lockdown gave us the chance to regroup. We’re savvier and much more efficient now – we’ve set up an online system which has hugely streamlined our booking process.”

When the government announced easing of restrictions in England on 4th July, Jon and Sarah had to completely overhaul the way they ran their workshops. Due to social distancing guidelines, customers are no longer able to paint their pots – historically, a key element of Eastnor Pottery’s offering. Jon and Sarah were initially worried, but customer feedback has exceeded all expectations: “We’ve got people telling us that they love getting to spend so much time on the wheel. Before lockdown we hadn’t considered this as an offering, but once again, the circumstances have forced us to reflect and have ultimately allowed us to reshape our business for the better.”

Jon and Sarah have done everything to ensure any customers visiting feel as safe and comfortable as possible. Anyone attending a class must wear a mask and wash their hands as soon as they arrive. Jon and Sarah wear Perspex visors and strictly follow the two metre social distancing guidelines.

They’ve also had to cut down on the frequency of classes and currently there is limited capacity for the classes they do run. A typical Saturday pre-COVID-19 would have seen up to 40 people walking through Eastnor’s doors, but now Jon and Sarah welcome a maximum of 12. This allows for a deep clean to be done in between sessions.

However, Jon and Sarah try and look for the positives: “We just want everyone to be as safe as possible. We love meeting new people. Of course, limited capacity means we’re not making as much money, but look at it this way: our customers get an amazing one to one experience and we really get to know them. Our classes were brilliant before, but due to COVID-19, the quality has really shot up. Now they’re extra special.”

It also means Eastnor Pottery has been awarded the Visit England seal, so customers can rest in the knowledge that their safety is being taken seriously.

The pair are ecstatic to be fully booked for the next few months but are ever-conscious of the changing guidelines and potential future lockdowns: “To be honest, we weren’t sure how it would go. When we first reopened, we didn’t know if anyone would have the confidence to come. However, we’re experiencing a huge spike in popularity – it seems people are desperate to get out and do something exciting and creative. We’re not taking it for granted though, who knows what will happen in autumn and winter.”

The pandemic was unexpected, but the positive consequences for Jon and Sarah’s business as a result are even more so: “We feel quite buoyed up. The pandemic is a massive national tragedy, but lockdown has been positive for us. It’s given us a chance to reflect on the business and come back more streamlined than ever.”

participants at pottery course at eastnor potteryintroduction to the potter's wheel participants at eastnor potterypotter's wheel demonstration at eastnor pottery

three wheel thrown pots stuck together to make a daffodil vase