Contemporary Crafts in the Cotswolds

Potters of Port Street 2006-2007

'Potters of Port Street' was a year long project initiated and developed by West Oxfordshire District Council - Leisure and Tourism - to promote ceramics through experience and learning. The project was funded by Arts Council England, SE. 'Port Street' was the Saxon name for the ancient route which we know now as the A4095.

The project had five parts:

The Guide
This new guide promotes potters working locally. Sixteen individuals and/or craft outlets chose to advertise within the Buyers Guide section. It includes some historical information about the history of pottery production in Leafield alongside details of linked attractions across West Oxfordshire.

Pots +
An exhibition of contemporary domestic pottery at West Ox Arts Gallery in Bampton from 2^nd to 23^rd April 2006 featuring work by Dylan Bowen, Jane Bowen, Gilles Le Corre, Kevin de Choisy, Mark Dally, Jane Hanson, Graham Hudson, John Jelfs, Toff Milway and Andrew Wicks.

Schools project
Anthony Eccles and Gilles Le Corre worked with children aged 4 to 11 to produce unique clay works. Schools which touch the A4095 (Port Street) were invited to participate. Primary schools in Bampton, Bladon, Clanfield and North Leigh, as well as Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School in Witney, took part.

310 children participated in 7 artist days.

Leafield unearthed
In the mid C19th Leafield in the heart of West Oxfordshire boasted 3 potteries...

"The village of Leafield lies on a hilltop (195m high) between the valleys of the rivers Evenlode and Windrush, and close to the remnant of Wychwood Forest surviving in Cornbury Park. The hill comprises Forest Marble capped by a deposit of Oxford Clay providing the raw material for the industry, with fuel coming from the nearby Forest. Important evidence of pottery making is first found in the Forest Pleas of 1272. Later in the 18^th Century 'Earthen kilns for drying malt, or Oats are made, glazed and sold by Solomon Goffe of Leafield' - most likely from a pottery on Witney Lane (PRN4756; SP320148). The Williams family then leased the site from 1839. By the time of the census of 1851, as well as the Williams, the Franklins and the Hunts were also potters in the area. The Franklins moved from Chimney End (the area to the rear of the Fox Inn), to the Crown Pottery site on Shipton Road sometime after 1854. By 1861 John Williams and John Hunt worked at Chimney End. Long before 1895 the Witney Lane pottery had closed, leaving only memories in the name 'Pot House'. In 1880 clay was being taken from the edges of the Crown Works yard, but by 1899 this boundary had been tidied up and a new clay pit opened up to the east, which is still visible on the ground. By the early 20^th Century pottery making had all but come to an end."

Extract from Oxfordshire Potters published by Oxfordshire Museums Service

Children's writer Adam Guillain, film-maker Iona Fabian and potters Jane Bowen and Anthony Eccles working with a variety of community groups in the village to explore the history of pot making in the area. A new story for young readers called 'Turning the Wheel' and a film by new animators have been produced. 1000 copies of the book have been produced to ensure that every householder in Leafield receives a copy.

174 local people participated and a further 250 were casually involved in the project. In addition the book is expected to reach a further 1000 local people.

Pathways
An exhibition of contemporary studio ceramics by Annie Turner, Lucy Butterwick, Richard Phethean and Margaret O'Rorke at the Oxfordshire Museum between 1^st April and 19^th May 2007. Including a rare viewing of a selection of historically significant pieces from the Oxfordshire Collection of Contemporary Craft and the unveiling of two brand new works.

If you would like further information please contact Leisure and Tourism or call 01993 861562/861554.

If you are a professional crafts person or designer maker, living in or near to West Oxfordshire, and would like to discuss future exhibition opportunities please contact Leisure and Tourism.