Frome Community Pottery has taken delivery of a new electric kiln – the first one in 25 years.
Built by Cromartie in the heart of the potteries, Stoke on Trent, the kiln replaces one brought to the Bath Road site in 1993 when the potters moved from Park Road. Now run by Frome Community Education, the pottery classes are going from strength to strength with over 100 students each week under the guidance of five tutors.
Russell Coates started teaching pottery in Frome in 1988, while Hiro Takahashi-Coates joined the tutor list a couple of years later. Andrew Eddleston, who is also the pottery technician, started teaching in Frome in the 2000s, while Roz Dunwell and Craig Eyles joined the team less than a year ago, and the 2018 classes have seen a pleasing influx of new students. Some are new to pottery completely while others have joined after potting elsewhere.
Such is the reputation of the Frome Pottery that students come from near and far – one couple travel from near Burnham on Sea, while another student attends both morning and afternoon classes having journeyed down from Reading! Last summer saw one keen potter come down from London and stay for a week’s course. The mainstay is, of course, local potters, and The Friends of Frome Pottery are now well-known at local markets as they sell student work for wonderfully affordable prices.
Looking at his new kiln, pottery tutor and technician, Andrew Eddleston, was more than pleased with the new purchase. “When you think that the kilns are fired three times a week during term time, to run for 25 years is pretty amazing,” said Andrew, “and I am hoping that the new kiln gives equally long service. Unfortunately we have one other electric kiln and a gas kiln that are of the same age, so this is just the start of an expensive replacement programme that Frome Community Education has undertaken.”
Details of all Frome Community Education classes can be found on their website or at The Cheese and Grain, which does all the class bookings.
