The film opens with a view over Stoke on Trent showing the distinctive bottle kilns of the pottery industry (the commentary points out that these are now being replaced by tunnel ovens). The purpose of the film is to show the traditional hand methods of making pottery and the film is a detailed look at various techniques (usually only showing the hands of the operator and with no individual pottery works named). 'Throwing'. We see the hand throwing of a pot on a wheel. 'Turning'. A teapot including its lid is turned by an operator to reduce its size and finish its shape. We then see teapot spout and handle that have been made in a mould being attached to the turned pot. Next we see the use of turning to add patterns. 'Slip'. This section shows various methods in using liquid clay for decoration and blowing slip using a slip trailer. The operator also uses a single bristle to produce a distinctive comb ware look and other patterns are then made using manganese oxide. 'Pressing'. Formers are used to press a slip decorated bowl and then a demonstration on the pressing of a kidney shaped bowl for hospital use. The final section shows the use of a large mould to press intricate designs.
Made in collaboration with Professor R.W. Baker
Joy and Ifor Thomas