Earth & Fire Rufford 2012 Post show,Post!

What a weekend that was!

I'll try and keep this brief, but also try to give a flavour of the event

from our view point.

We set off on Thursday lunch time in pouring rain

which followed us all the way up the country as we travelled.

we Finally made it to Rufford at about 4pm

it would have been 3.30pm if I hadn't been in the wrong lane

and had made the correct turn.

Navigating and driving at the same time, it's multi tasking

I should have know it was bound to fail at some point.

"a Man multi tasking"!

 By the time we got there we had out run the rain

and we were able to offload the pots to the stand area

and pitch tent before the rain came again.

This was the view from our well appointed room !

" well OK our Tent"

 I can't quite remember what happened Thursday night

I think it might have rained a bit and we had a few beers in the tent

and retired early,

This is definitely different from early retirement!

 Friday morning bright as buttons Marion and me set up the stall.

Doug was rearing to go as well.

Frank was there wearing a flat cap the size of Yorkshire.

 Margaret Brampton was all set up as well.

 and even

Paul Young put a few little bits out!!.

 Being Olympic year here in England

The organisers had decided to put on the

Pot Olympics

which Doug and I got involved with.

Here from left to right are

Doug Fitch, Roger Cockram & Richard Heeley

taking part in the Blind fold Throwing.

 When camping one has to adapt to ones environment

and Marion certainly did that

with this great use of walking boots

as a wine bottle and glass holder proves.

 Friday night we had a great night out in the local pub

which was just a short walk from the camp site.

I had a great Burger and a few local beers

I'm sure Kronenberg 1769 is a local brew?

 Come Saturday morning I couldn't focus on the stand

let alone set it up.

 so I just walked away looking for more tea

and when I came back it had magically set it's self up.

Thank's Marion.

 It was a great weekend

and we had a good positive response.

The winds at some times were gusting up to 70mph

and we did loose three pots to the wind.

but over the three days we sold over 150 pots

mainly small ramekins and Pie dishes.

and we both came away exhausted but very happy.

This is a brief story of our very first Rufford.

We would just like to say a very big thank you to all of the people that

came up to us over the weekend and said they follow the blog

it's much appreciated, and we decided that next year

 we will have a little something to give you

when you come and make yourselves known to us.

and thanks to all the people that now have a piece of Barrington Pottery

in their home,

it's very much appreciated.

Post Party Update

         Well here I am on my 50th Birthday, Living the Dream,

not only am I a full time potter

          but I'm living with the best woman in the world.

Marion,

without Marion's support over

                               the past four years, I know I wouldn't have made it this far.

So thank you Marion for everything. X

Here are just a few shots from the Party on Saturday Night.

There were around 100 people,

I and I forgot to take my camera.

    My eldest Daughter Laura introducing herself to some more potters.

    I'm not quite sure how these two got through security on the door?

Me with all three of my daughters and my Mum Molly

Theres always one, and in this case two.

We had David Bowie as our entertainment for the evening,(aka Laurence )

everyone agreed he was Brilliant just brilliant !!

This was the start of the evening.

                        http://www.thebowiexperience.co.uk/events.html

and this was the middle of the evening.

Andrew & Doug found an ample supply of local Cider and real ale

But it didn't affect them at all, as you can see!

One thing you do need as a potter is a good sense of humour

and you need to be able to laugh at yourself sometimes.

and I hope at 50 I still can laugh at myself.

So here is a card from me to me.

See you at Rufford.

Pre Party Post.

The other day I took a few pictures of the back garden

as it seems to be peaking at the moment.

Like this Foxglove for instance.

 I don't think we are going to be needing this for a while.

 The old gas kiln seems to have settled in well into the garden,

if ever you want to build one, and you encounter opposition

just show them this picture.

it's a feature not an eyesore!!!.

 Dabbled once again with Raku on Tuesday night.

 Both of these pots have the same glaze.

the top one reduced the bottom one not.

we seem to have load of self seeded poppies. 

 Old flower pots, will be used tonight

as part of the party decoration.

 I'm rappidly running out of time this morning

So Last orders please I'll see you soon with some pictures

of my 50th Birthday Bash.

I'm not 50 until Wednesday 20th June

but we will be at Rufford next weekend.

I almost forgot.

Yesterday we had another first for Barrington Pottery

a Live on air interview.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=428208883879059&id=151995308224877&notif_t=like

I put it on facebook, so click into have a look.

Live Simply

Well, it's Sunday afternoon, and I've been in the workshop all day.

It's pouring with rain outside and it has been for the last week.

I know lots of people are feeling fed up with the Weather here in England

at the moment.

So I've taken a few minutes out to reflect.

I've been saving this bowl for Rufford

 But I'm struggling to get pots to dry in the workshop

 So today I have offered it as an alternative, to the pot I could not get

finished in time for a wedding gift next week.

 The words are great, especially for a couple starting out in life together

 If you can live your life like this

then your in for a good marriage.

I might even make one for Marion & Me at some point.

 I spotted Marion reading one of my old books the other day

it looks like the conversion is almost complete!!

 Here is a sink full of pots

I wonder if anyone can spot all the makers,

there's one in here, even I don't know and I bought it

20 years ago.

 The usual suspects I'm sure.

anyway don't let the weather get you down

Just think how lucky we are to be doing what we love most of all.

Let's just hope it clears up for the Birthday bash next weekend.

cross everything you can.

Have a happy week.

Field for Somerset @ Barrington Court

Tuesday saw the start of the

Field for Somerset workshops

outside Barrington Pottery, run by Marion.

When we turned up on Tuesday, we were sure it would be cancelled

as the weather was so bad.

But reception at the court said loads of people had come for this workshop.

so in true English fashion.

we set up outside in the rain and we were amazed how many people turned up.

 Around 60 figures were made in just two hours

 This was the set up after the event

with Marion having a well erned cup of Tea.

 this was the poster

 They all put the figures in the showroom

when the floor is ready they will be put in the old stables

at the court. as part of the Somerset Art Weeks event.

 so come and make your figure.

The Doves were on the workshop roof

but I love the look of the roof tiles.

Getting in the Jubilee spirit

One of the great things about living in an English Village

is that you can get away with almost anything as long as you

don't mind being labelled as eccentric!

 Were not Eccentric Just plain old English country spirited

 and we like to get involved with the spirit of the moment

usually Bacardi !

 But with the Queens Diamond Jubilee this weekend

the whole village has put out bunting,

and once again we have entered the scarecrow competition

on a royal theme.

and we have a great event on outside the village hall on Monday.

starting at 5pm with Jubolympics games for the kids

and followed by a band and singer in the evening.

But of course it's not all party, party,

Marion has started work on the bowl for the church font

drawing freehand from a picture.

a nice mix of old  & new technology. 

here is just a tease.