We learned a lot when Margaret Flatman from Sutton Pottery, near Stalham came in April. Her husband is the Potter. He started at school, then did a Foundation Course and finally a Degree in Stoke. She said the pots consist of clay, water and the wheel - the clay is radio-active volcanic rock and comes from St Austell, Cornwall. Its been taken out of the earth since the 18th Century and the reserves will last another 100 years. The Eden Project has been formed from the pits that clay has been extracted from over the years. There are several other types of clay, white porcelain - very fragile - from China and stoneware (which her husband uses) and earthenware - known as terracotta and a couple of others.
The first stage is kneading tjhe clay to make it malleable and remove the air bubbles before putting it on a pottery wheel - if not it would explode! She bought several samples of a small vase at various stages of firing and glazing through to the finished article.
Margaret also bought along several items for sale and said the Pottery was open on weekdays if anyone wished to make a visit. He also gives lessons.
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 13 June at 7.30pm in the Community Centre when Isabel Brett will be telling us the history of the Carnival Samba - Rio Style. With luck she will teach us some dance moves as well.
Visitors are always welcome and if there are any queries, please contact Pam Cooper, President on 01508 491674 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492155.
Shirley Shackshaft
