Success is getting what you want; happiness is liking what you get

Saturday 8 January 2011

Caravan on a plate - Cheddar Valley Pottery

On our sightseeing trip around the Ohiwa Harbour we stopped off at the Cheddar Valley Pottery.  Potters Stuart and Margaret Slade purchased the old Cheddar Valley Co-op Dairy Co building 25 years ago.  They busily work their magic turning lumps of Nelson White clay into pots, plates, platters and garden ornaments.
DSCF5175 Entrance to Cheddar Valley Pottery
Our friends Pauline and Geoff had recently placed an order, and were keen to show us the wonderful work done by Stuart and Margaret.  Pauline and Geoff are keen caravan enthusiasts, just like us, and wanted plates showing their current and previous caravans.  Their order was ready and waiting for them, and they were thrilled with the results.
DSCF5176 Artist Stuart, with Geoff and Pauline, and potter Margaret
Margaret “throws” the clay to make the items, and Stuart hand paints the image using photos provided.  The plates are then fired in the kiln, clear glaze is added, then they are fired again.  Geoff and Pauline’s special  one-off plates and platter will certainly be treasured for ever.  (There is no doubt about it, we will  have to get a Romany Rambler plate made for us).  As well as making individual orders, there is a large range of items to buy “off the shelf”.  We spent a while just browsing to see what else was on offer, and we particularly liked the beautiful New Zealand native bird plates.
DSCF5177 Some of the items on display
Stuart and Margaret are keen travellers too and like to get away in their motor home from time to time.  They also offer a “pop stop” at their property for NZMCA members who wish to spend a night or two in the area.  

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