Potclays Ltd. reviews

20 Feb 16'

Richard Atkinson reviewed: Basic throwing with Jon French

"I have thrown pots before but thanks to Kevin I now know how to do it properly! He is a first rate teacher, gave some excellent demonstrations and spent lots of time with all the students individually, irrespective of ability, to ensure that everyone went away with a firm grasp of the key techniques. There was plenty of equipment and an inexhaustible amount of clay available and a lovely lunch was provided. In addition to throwing techniques we also learned a lot about the history of the ceramics industry and its current state. I would thoroughly recommend this course."

19 Feb 16'

Erica Melton reviewed: Basic throwing with Jon French

"An excellent course! Kevin is a knowledgable and generous tutor. Having started on the Monday with no skills whatsoever, I can now confidently centre clay on the wheel and make a cylinder or bowl. The course was well equipped, each student had a wheel, plenty of clay and Kevin was able to help us all equally (and according to ability). Lunch was lovely and there was plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits. The staff were welcoming and helpful. I would definitely return for another course."

18 Feb 16'

Ulrike Sieglohr reviewed: Basic throwing with Jon French

"The 2-day workshop at Potclays cannot be praised enough. Kevin is an outstanding teacher and whatever your ability, thanks to his clear technical instructions and practical help, you will have made sufficient progress by the end of the course to be able to throw cylinders and bowls (the necessary skills for making any vessel). You will be inspired, and you may even feel confident enough to buy your own wheel and convert your shed into a studio. Moreover, if you haven't got that possibility - and if you live in the area - you can hire a unit a Potclays with a wheel for a reasonable daily fee (which I will do). The lunch is tasty and plenty, and the factory director James Otter will offer you an interesting personal guided tour of the factory. The staff too are very helpful with general and specific advice. Thank you."

13 Feb 16'

Carol Lane reviewed: Basic throwing with Jon French

"Kevin Millward is an enthusiast and a great teacher. He gave lots of encouragement whatever level we had already reached. At the same time we were left in no doubt as to the rules of the game. His inspiring demonstrations and individual tuition on the basics fulfilled all my expectations. We were given an opportunity to fire our pots but the weather was so damp they didn't dry quickly enough to turn them the second day. The airy studio, with a Shimpo wheel for each student, warm welcome, tour of the clay factory with James, team spirit, good food and plentiful hot drinks all added to a memorable couple of days."

28 Jan 16'

Charles Butters reviewed: Electric Kilns: Operation, Control and Maintenance

"The course was very interesting, informative and useful. It has given me the confidence to have a go at fixing my own kiln as well as protecting myself from some of the harmful effects of firing. Well worth the money."

22 Nov 15'

Barbara Miller reviewed: Tilemaking with Richard Miller of Froyle Tiles

"I thoroughly enjoyed this course. Learnt lots of new skills and Richard is a great tutor! I thought the course was going to be about making tiles and decorating them , so was pleasantly surprised that we were going to learn how to carve them."

22 Oct 15'

Tine Hagen Dalgaard reviewed: Advanced throwing masterclass with David Frith

"Two days of inspiration and confidence building. I am a handbuilder and have very little experience on the wheel. I worried that this course would be too difficult for me, but found that David explain everything in a brilliant and easy way. And helped us on the level we where at. These two days gave me the confidence to go home and continue working on the wheel. David is an amazing potter. I could watch him all day long. Came home with plenty of pots in all sizes. AMAZING"

14 Oct 15'

Wendy Van Dort reviewed: Advanced throwing masterclass with David Frith

"I thoroughly enjoyed being on the course with David Frith. I have been studying ceramics for over 25 years and I was still learning more new techniques. David is a fountain of knowledge and is very generous with it and has an ability to make everything appear easy and achievable. We made platters, jugs, bowls, tea bowls, faceted decoration. He demonstrated different decorating techniques which were brilliant. All in all a very inspiring tutor. The staff at Potclays were extremely helpful and pleasant. Nothing was too much trouble. James Otter went out of his way to show us around the factory which was most interesting and informative. James does his utmost to explain things in detail. I bought a kiln from them last year and James spent a lot of time explaining the workings of it and made a video for me to refer to on my telephone. The lunches were plentiful and varied, most welcome after a morning of throwing..... Best wishes Wendy Van Dort"

14 Oct 15'

Ollie Chappell reviewed: Advanced throwing masterclass with David Frith

"I really enjoyed this course. As a self taught thrower I really got a lot out of the two days that is going to be helpful and hopefully now progress my throwing skills. David is a very talented, knowledgeable Potter. We threw plates, bowls, vases, jugs, lids, and we also played with various decorating methods. My only disappointment is not spending some time on two piece throwing. I would definitely recommend this course."

23 Sep 15'

Carol Burmeister reviewed: Basic throwing with Jon French

"I have just taken my pots home and put them in my art/pottery room and low and behold they are much bigger than the others I have made. Therefore my objective on going on the course has been achieved. Let's hope I maintain the new quality and size. During the course I realised I had been throwing incorrectly and corrected this during the course really quickly. I had also misunderstood a few basic principles and came home more knowledgeable about throwing and how process-driven pot making is. I enjoyed the relaxed and supportive atmosphere. Being a retired primary school teacher I knew that Kevin really enjoyed his work (both teaching and potting), and conveyed that to his students. This can be inspirational and if done really well, out of the hundreds Kevin teaches, will produce future gifted teachers and potters."

4 May 15'

Frank Golden reviewed: Advanced throwing masterclass with David Frith

"Had two wonderful days on the course. Staff very friendly and helpful. Food good and plenty of it. David is an excellent teacher very patient and encouraging. David is very quietly spoken and difficult to hear when he is addressing the whole group, maybe a microphone and speakers would help. Thank you David and all the staff at Potclays"

15 Apr 15'

Catriona Head reviewed: Tilemaking with Richard Miller of Froyle Tiles

"A splendid 2 days with excellent demonstrations by Richard in parallel with hands on experimenting. Pre- prepared tiles enabled one to try different ideas. His talk on his own ceramic journey was inspiring. The fascinating informative factory tour was a stunning addition and put a whole different perspective on ordering a bag of clay. Many thanks to Potclays and Richard."

12 Dec 14'

Richard Atkinson reviewed: Glaze Application with Kevin Millward

"This was a very informative course led by an extremely experienced tutor who tailored the day to meet the needs of those present. It was practical and I learned a different approach to glaze formulation and am looking forward to trying it out myself! It certainly encourages me to try other Potclays courses in the future."

11 Dec 14'

Kate Plumb reviewed: Glaze Application with Kevin Millward

"I thought this was a really informative day packed with practical ,useful information.I found Kevin to be a clear and generous instructor and would welcome information about any other courses he runs in the future."

29 Oct 14'

Willie reviewed: Advanced throwing masterclass with David Frith

"Inspirational potter.a very enjoyable and helpful two days. Helpful staff, and may thanks for the jump-start as I flattened battery during day 1! Two sinks is insufficient , though we got by. The food was excessive in amount, and perfectly satisfactory,though a bit stodgy -some fruit would have been good."

28 Oct 14'

Rachel Burch reviewed: Advanced throwing masterclass with David Frith

"I really loved this course. I have been throwing for 3 years and felt it was at the right level for me and really moved me on. Initially I was daunted by the amount of clay we threw with (around 2-3 kgs) but I made huge progress and am delighted with what I am now able to do. David was a great teacher, really I would have liked one more day. Potclays were great, next time have a pile of batts available for us to buy at home time please! Two sinks with only cold water was not enough for 10 of us, it would be good if you could improve on this. I bought lots of the clay we used on the course, it would be great if there were opportunities to try out some of your other clays too. Many thanks."

17 Sep 14'

Fiona Matthews reviewed: Pottery Basics with Jacqui Atkin

"Thank you Kevin, I learnt just the things I needed to at this stage. Many thanks."

15 Sep 14'

Ali allsop reviewed: Pottery Basics with Jacqui Atkin

"Superb course .Very informative ,interesting and enjoyable. A fantastic introduction to the world of ceramics . Thank you ."

12 Aug 14'

Maisie Parkes reviewed: Basic throwing with Jon French

"The course was absolutely perfect for beginners. Duncan was friendly, clear with his explanations/demonstrations and didn't put pressure on you to feel as though you had to stand and watch every demonstration. There was plenty of hands on time so you could be on the wheel practising as much as you liked and Duncan was available at all times for one to one help. There was no shortage of clay and there was a 'recycling bin' so you could practise without worrying about wasting any materials. I think there could have been an opportunity for us to fire and decorate our pots given the cost of the course. I loved throwing the pots and working with the clay but I now have 5 pots at home that I can't really do anything with."

11 Aug 14'

Lesley Hough reviewed: Basic throwing with Jon French

"I found the course really useful and excellent value for money. The staff were all very helpful as usual. The chance to go around the factory was very interesting and a real bonus to see how the clay is mixed. I would recommend the course to anyone wishing to learn how to throw. Duncan was brilliant, very clear, he worked at just the right pace and his enthusiasm for ceramics and education was infectious! It would be difficult to improve the course other than having a few more sinks and water available for drinking during the course, perhaps a water dispenser?"

12 May 14'

Amanda Taylor reviewed: Tilemaking with Richard Miller of Froyle Tiles

"A thoroughly enjoyable 2 days - very intense and very relaxing at the same time. Richard is an excellent teacher whose obvious passion for his subject is infectious. His flexible approach - letting us explore ideas off-piste - was very productive. I know I have come back full of ideas and plan to try some more tile development work at home. If PotClays could make this a 2-part workshop where we could glaze our fired tiles in the second part that would be brilliant!"

12 May 14'

Carol Thomas reviewed: Tilemaking with Richard Miller of Froyle Tiles

"A fantastic two-day course with an excellent tutor who provided the opportunity to tryout and practise new skills. I will continue these at home. The course had structure but it was really great that there was still flexibility to follow group interests (which we did) and as a result I am going to tackle creating tiles for a fireplace. Lunch was great - much extra learning and discussion carried out over a variety of food. Richard was friendly, approachable and helpful and his pre-prepared tiles were much appreciated. Improvements - wobbly tables caused problems! I am hoping that Potclays might consider putting on a follow-up course. Highly recommended."

20 Mar 14'

Steph Emmerich reviewed: Advanced throwing masterclass with David Frith

"A wonderful two days, I really felt I had advanced greatly. David Frith demonstrated a variety of technics and I had the opportunity to practice them with help where needed. As a near beginner David supported where appropriate and mademe feel I could do it! The Staff were great and very helpful. The only negative I feel was the lunch, which was basic.... perhaps everyone bringing their own might work? Thank You."

21 Nov 13'

Juliet Bennett reviewed: Pottery Basics with Jacqui Atkin

"It was an enjoyable day where I learnt new things and confirmed things I thought I knew but wasn't sure! Thank you."

17 Nov 13'

Vinny Commons reviewed: Advanced throwing masterclass with David Frith

"1.lots of good aspects...eg food, /tuition for capable potters ..but some gaping weaknessess..2 I did fill in form and left in on desk so i dont understand..why that wasnt sufficient...?since all potters sat ..on low wheels there wasnt an option to stand ..so we were getting used to new throwing details..and prescribed a position the work was done from[ sitting] but iam a standing thrower.!it was awkward.2 Some people were out of their depths...they could hardly centre the clay.....so i suggest you grade your throwing courses eg beginners/ advanced , even intermediate.3 only one way of wedging the clay was used...most people couldnt do it...so struggled to get a quality piece of clay to work with...why couldnt cut and slam have been set up?..a little more thought required.4..I am stating it as i saw it ...since you asked ..but please remember there were many positives....lastly if you wish , i would be happy to lead a intermediate or beginners course ..if you felt it was appropriate.....Please respond stating that my comments did get through to you ...since i did fill in a sheet that came with the course ..and i dont know what has become of it.? Vinny Common 07808960418"