It’s been a long time in waiting for this moment but we are finally here and the first iteration of my exhibition has finally launched. Thursday 20 April saw the Preview opening event for FORTYSEVEN: The Last Bottle Ovens and Kilns of The Potteries.

There was plenty of interest in the days before the opening with The Sentinel running an article and followed by The Guardian publishing a really classy picture story. The BBC have also run pieces on Radio TV and Online which has been quite a rollercoaster for me being on THAT side of the camera!

Over 100 people attended the preview with the VC of Keele opening the event followed by yours truly stumbling through a few words to explain why and what and of course to thank countless people for their help and support… Sponsors, Allen Signs, JB Frames of Horncastle and Skeet Print… Also to thank Andy Weekes, Terry Woolliscroft, Simon Hollingworth, Arts Keele, Gladstone Pottery and Middleport Pottery to name a few!

The Lord Lieutenant for Staffordshire Ian Dudson and the Mayor of Newcastle-U-Lyme, Cllr Gill Burnett, were in attendance as was Ernest Warrillow’s son with his wife- absolutely wonderful to see them! There were new friends, bottle oven owners, potters, cyclists (Tour de Stoke is a thing!) and friends I’d not seen for a very long time as well as some support from Lincoln! Wonderful. I hope everyone enjoyed the exhibition and will encourage others to get over to see it. 

I’ll no doubt post when we set up at Gladstone. Watch this space!

for more information on FORTYSEVEN: The Last Bottle Ovens and Kilns of The Potteries, click this link