Contribute

Made in England is a long-term project that welcomes a wide variety of contributions relating to the English ceramic industry. If you have any images, stories, fragments or ephemera you would like to contribute, please let us know:
mail@made-in-england.net

Name:
Address:
How long have you lived in this area?
Have you ever worked in a potbank, or a trade associated with the industry?
Has any member of your family worked in a potbank or associated trade?
What jobs did you/they do?
Tell us about this job/jobs. What were the main characteristics of the work?
How did you get started in your line of work?
Did your potbank produce work in earthenware or porcelain?
Do you think there is a difference between the factories that worked in these materials?
If the factory produced tableware, what changing fashions do you remember?
Were there any designs or styles you were particularly fond of? If so - why?
Were there any designs or styles you particularly disliked? If so - why?
Do you remember any of the backstamps on the ware you produced?
Did you sign work, or do you know anyone who signed work?
Would you recognise your signature?
What do you think a backstamp should say about a company or any individual?
If you worked in industrial ceramics - are industrial ceramics subject to changing fashion, and if so, what might the influences on these be?
What were the people you worked with like? Were there any memorable characters? Tell us about them.
Did your company have links with manufacturers in other countries?
Do you think the industry was conducted any differently abroad?
What do you think is fashionable in tableware today?
Why do you think this might be?
What did you do on your holidays when you worked at the potbank?
What did you do at Christmas? Were there any Christmas customs?
Do you know of any songs about work in the potbanks?
Was religion important to you?
Was religion ever mentioned at work?
Were you a member of a trade union?
Was the union important to you?
If you worked for a number of companies, which was your favourite and why?
Where do you think the ceramic industry is going now?