Potclays Ltd. reviews

22 Feb 18'

Lynton Wakeham reviewed: Basic throwing with Jon French

"I enjoyed the two days with Jon French learning how to throw a pot from someone with a great deal of knowledge and experience. The class room was well lit, clean and spacious. All the staff were very helpful and made me feel welcome. The cost of the two day course was very reasonable. When I have practiced throwing at home I will be booking the intermediate workshop. Thank you to all Potclay staff and Jon French."

22 Feb 18'

Peter Styles reviewed: Basic throwing with Jon French

"I have to say that Jon French was incredibly supportive despite me being very much the novice amongst a class who with a few exceptions were all reasonably experienced potters. It was great fun, the staff at Potclays were very pleasant and helpful and all in all a very worthwhile two days,. A nice lunch was provided and as much tea and coffee as you wished and as much clay as you could get round to using although some efforts went straight to recycling. Jon is an awesome thrower which rather left me feeling very incompetent but he encouraged and helped directly when necessary. A very nice course"

4 Feb 18'

Bill Kelly reviewed: Intermediate throwing with Richard Heeley

"Richard managed the class brilliantly considering we were all had different levels of skill. He was only too keen to help, advise and show us " tricks of the trade " . We could also ask him for advice on any aspect of ceramics - not just throwing - I got some useful information from him regarding glazes."

31 Jan 18'

Paul Kirnig reviewed: Intermediate throwing with Richard Heeley

"Really interesting course. Facilities were ideal. Staff at Potclays were friendly and helpful. Richard Heeley was a great teacher offering lots of one to one help and advise. I went away feeling really inspired. I have no hesitation in recommending this course to those wanting to develop their throwing skills."

29 Jan 18'

Andy Tarpey reviewed: Basic throwing with Jon French

"A very enjoyable 2 days with Jon French, whose relaxed style was very conducive to a great learning experience. There was a range of levels of skill on the course, from people who had been throwing for a while to people who were starting from scratch, and he ensured that everyone made progress. The staff at Potclays were friendly and helpful (as they always are!) and the lunch was fine, providing for gluten-free, vegan etc as required. A few months of steady practice and I'll be looking to book the Intermediate course."

26 Jan 18'

G.C. reviewed: Basic throwing with Jon French

"A very enjoyable two-day course with the very knowledgable, easy-going and enthusiastic Jon French. A lot of myths busted re wheel-throwing. Jon adapted really brilliantly to the different skill levels and had time for everyone. Group size of ten fine for individual tuition. Good lunch bag and looked after well by Potclays staff. Thoroughly recommend it!"

26 Jan 18'

Barbara Miller reviewed: Basic throwing with Jon French

"This course exceeded my expectations. Jon was a great tutor who never tired of showing us again and again, if we needed! The staff were helpful and the food was lovely. I’d recommend this course !"

3 Nov 17'

jamila al salem reviewed: Advanced throwing masterclass with David Frith

"All thanks to pot clay. I enjoyed this workshop with Mr David Frith i responded more by working and directing with the great artist David I was hoping to compensate us for an extra day for not having the artist on the first day Especially to me brought from a place away from Kuwait jamila al salem. Kuwait"

22 Jun 17'

Karen reviewed: Mouldmaking for Slipcasting with Ed Bentley

"Learnt loads and really enjoyed the class set up. Good mix of information and practical experience. Thanks potclays and Ed."

20 Mar 17'

richard martin reviewed: Basic throwing with Jon French

"I attended this course on 13th and 14th March 2017 and found it extremely useful. Since 2014 I had done some throwing on my own wheel both self taught and some other with minimal tuition. Kevin's no nonsense approach was like a quantum leap and was invaluable. I came away with the beginnings of better throwing. I also attended Kevin's glazing course in November 2016 which was excellent. It was also a great pleasure meeting Cait and Richard from Throwdown. I now intend to enroll on one of his intermediate throwing courses as soon as I can find the time. I would also like to give a huge "thank you" to the staff at Potclays for a very enjoyable course."

20 Mar 17'

Charles Brown reviewed: Advanced throwing masterclass with David Frith

"Extremely well run and thought out course. David Frith is an inspiring presence . I have been throwing off and on for thirty years and was still able to learn new techniques and improve my throwing. A generous mountain of clay to get through and good arrangements for completed work. Fascinating tour of the site; Potclays staff extremely helpful at all times. A great course."

2 Mar 17'

Maria Picken reviewed: Intermediate throwing with Richard Heeley

"The intermediate throwing course was challenging. By the end of the first day I felt as if I had taken a step backwards compared to the beginners course attended last October. Perhaps it was too early to attend the intermediate course. However, after a chat with Kevin and some personalised teaching and support, the second day was far more productive and successful. I progressed quickly in terms of developing better shaping of cylindrical forms and bowl shapes. Most importantly, I learnt why I had made mistakes and how to correct them. Kevin is an outstanding teacher; intuitive and supportive. Although I didn't quite finish making a teapot, one of the course objectives, the necessary skills were practised enough to give me the confidence to finish and make another one!"

2 Mar 17'

Laura Hughes reviewed: Intermediate throwing with Richard Heeley

"I thoroughly enjoyed the two days, and was suitably exhausted by the end of it. The venue and equipment was excellent - my only issue being that we could have had more batts to throw on. Perhaps some smaller ones would have been useful. The drying cabinet was most useful, enabling us to turn pots on day two, and also get them into a fit state to transport home. The tuition from Kevin was enthusiastic and knowledgeable - there was ample opportunity to observe techniques and then practice them - and to ask questions as we went along. I felt that I was learning and developing throughout the course, and that it was a most profitable way to spend a couple of wet days in February. It has developed my own practice and has given me plenty of good tips to pass on to my own students. Thanks very much to Kevin, Potclays and my fellow students who were all great. I would definitely recommend this course to develop throwing skills and confidence :)"

28 Feb 17'

Liz Wills reviewed: Basic throwing with Jon French

"I've been on a couple of courses (hand building and glazing) before at Potclays with Kevin and enjoyed them so much I booked the basic two day throwing course. I had thrown before but needed to brush on my basic skill and this was the perfect course to do this. Day one was spent giving the basics of clay bodies, balling up, getting the clay in the centre of the wheel and then concentrated on cylinders. Day two gave an overview of the previous day and moved on to concentrate on bowls. We also covered turning, pulled handles and plates on day two which was great. I can not recommend this course highly enough it was just brilliant. Kevin was more than happy to slow his demonstrations and repeat until each step could be mastered by everyone. The facilities were brilliant with plenty of space - and clay! - to keep busy for the full day. The staff at Potclays are just wonderful, nothing is ever too much trouble and you are made to feel very welcome on arrival and throughout the course. If you're new to throwing or just want to brush up your skills, then this is the perfect course for you!"

8 Dec 16'

richard martin reviewed: Glaze Application with Kevin Millward

"I attended this course on 1/12/16. Kevin delivered a detailed and at times amusing course which I found extremely helpful. Not much time was left for inspection of my own examples of glazing disasters at the end but throughout the day Kevin had painstakingly and generously answered many questions from the attendees. I am still trying to locate an authentic "pint weight" measure ! I hope to register for one or both Kevin's throwing courses next spring."

6 Dec 16'

ulrike sieglohr reviewed: Glaze Application with Kevin Millward

"An informative and enjoyable course. Kevin is very good in explaining lucidly and interestingly complex technical processes to participants with different backgrounds (i.e. from novice to practitioners). His practical demonstrations and tips were really helpful, and he was very patient in answering the many questions."

2 Dec 16'

Liz Wills reviewed: Introduction to Glazes with Jacqui Atkin

"This is my third course at Potclays; my second with Kevin. I have been playing with clay now for a couple of years as an enthusiastic beginner. I have been struggling with glazing and ruining the items I've made by bad glaze choices, application and a general lack of understanding. I was in desperate need of a 'glazing for dummies' type course and this was it!! A brilliant introduction to glazes, which covered everything I have been doing wrong. I can't wait to get back to my garage and weigh my glaze and have another go, as I feel so much more confident I now know what I'm looking for in regards to consistency and application. Utterly brilliant, well worth the money, the five hour drive and overnight stay away from home. The potclays staff all round are just great - always helpful and personable. These are the only courses I feel I need now and I've already booked myself on the beginners two day throwing course next year :-)."

27 Oct 16'

Maureen Teichmann reviewed: Basic throwing with Jon French

"A thoroughly enjoyable two-day course. I came away with a feeling of great satisfaction in having learned so much and been able to throw passable cylinders and bowls, under the expert and entertaining instruction of Kevin Millward. The course is very well organised by the friendly and helpful staff at Potclays, for whom nothing is too much trouble. The factory tour was a bonus, giving insight into what goes on behind the scenes to produce the different clay bodies, and to appreciate the hard work that goes into this production. The only drawback is that it is not always easy to get a place on this course - but persevere - it's worth it."

15 Sep 16'

Helen Lowe reviewed: Basic throwing with Jon French

"It’s always refreshing to be taught by a tutor whose love of his subject is instantly apparent. In the clean, well organised and spacious studio our tutor, Kevin, began day one with cylinder making. After balling up the clay into perfect spheres he gave a very concise and well paced demonstration of centring, leaving us in no doubt of the importance of that particular skill. We all went off to give it a go and Kevin thoughtfully divided his attention equally between each person in our group of 10. On day two we made bowls and in the afternoon had the opportunity to either turn them or to carry on practising to throw. Throughout the course encouragement , enthusiasm and good humour never waned ... Kevin’s knowledge of ceramics, which he seemed delighted to impart, added a never ending supply of interest. Lunch was fresh, tasty and well considered and another bonus was a brief history of Potclays talk and tour of the factory. I left the friendly atmosphere with a real desire to get practising and return. I would very much recommend this course to a complete beginner or any person who has tried to self teach with out progress."

15 Sep 16'

Helen Wilkinson reviewed: Basic throwing with Jon French

"This was a fantastic course. There were 10 of us working on Shimpo wheels in a pleasant studio over 2 days. Kevin was just amazing - he demonstrated techniques and then we had a go. He then came round and gave us individual help. This meant that although we were a mixed ability group from complete novice to reasonably competent we all got to make good progress. On the first day we learnt to throw cylinder shapes and on the second we learnt bowls and turning. Kevin was a mine of information and full of anecdotes - we tried to to get him so spill the beans on the next series of 'Throwdown' - but he wouldn't tell..... An excellent lunch was provided and special diets catered for. We also had a very informative tour of the Potclays factory. A bonus was the ability to purchase from the Potclays well stocked shop at a discount. We we well taught and it was fun and good value - a great beginners course."

18 Jun 16'

Louise schrempft reviewed: Electric Kilns: Operation, Control and Maintenance

"I attended this course several years ago, and it has come in useful time and again. I thoroughly recommend it, I have the confidence to do small repairs, and regular maintenance to my kilns. And even changed a set of elements myself, though I did get an electrician friend to check I'd done a good job. It's well worth the money, and not scary at all. My advice , do it."

26 May 16'

Kim reviewed: Mouldmaking for Slipcasting with Ed Bentley

"I wanted to learn how to make moulds and was not disappointed. Ed is amazing with his depth of knowledge and give great advice and tuition. I would highly reccomend this course to any one wanting to learn this topic in depth. Brilliant!"

22 Mar 16'

Keith and Margot Charlton reviewed: Introduction to Glazes with Jacqui Atkin

"Attended a one day glazing course with Kevin in March. This is a man who knows everything and, as importantly, can tell you what he knows in a clear way. At no time was he condescending but just delivers everything you need to know to enable you to go off and start finding you own way. Thank you Kevin."

21 Mar 16'

Liz Wills reviewed: Pottery Basics with Jacqui Atkin

"I have been playing with clay for a couple of years and done various courses with different teachers. I learnt more on this course than I have on all of my other courses! The tutor, Kevin, was able to answer all questions posed to him, he is certainly passionate about his subject and takes the time to explain each process used throughout the day. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of ceramics and easily handled the different abilities in the class. The facilities provided by Potclays are excellent - and the lunch was really good too! Nice to be able to pop into the shop and buy supplies and all staff I spoke with were brilliant. It was a thoroughly enjoyable class. Basic - yes, but I gained lots of knowledge and inspiration to bring home with me! I am looking forward to booking more courses with Kevin and Potclays in the future, they are really worth it."

7 Mar 16'

Sam Woodvine reviewed: Basic throwing with Jon French

"What a fabulous, fun couple of days. I had never done anything like this before and produced numerous pots, which I was thrilled with! Kevin is an excellent instructor and all-round nice guy. His technical know-how is second to none and he is extremely helpful during the workshop. It is very hands-on and Kevin's guidance is great. I would ideally have preferred less in the class though, as he was often spread too thinly. The staff at Potclays were all very helpful and I would definitely recommend it to others. Thank you :-)"