Angela’s pottery paradise with Kenninghall Community Studio idea

A novice potter has taken on a Kenninghall studio to give the community the chance to throwdown at their leisure.

Angela Lane, who has been doing pottery on and off for two years, found the Lopham Road site after trying to find a space where she could carry on her hobby.

The mum-of-two from Watton said it came after going on a course in Norwich.

She added: “It made me think I wanted to do this more and with not having space at home for a kiln and things, so I went looking but there was very little on offer.”

“I then found this space on Anglia Potters, and it said Steve Harold who has run Suffolk Potteries out of here for around 30 years was looking to retire.”

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After Angela speaking to the master potter over the last two months, she agreed to take it on for a community studio.

The part-time veterinary receptionist then set up the Kenninghall Community Studio Facebook page to see what the interest was like.

She said: “I could see the huge potential this has, not just for those that have been doing pottery for years, it will also work for people like me who wanted to give it a try.

“There has been a massive amount of interest since I started the page – from hard and fast potters looking at the space because they need somewhere bigger with more storage and just people who want to learn and be around other creative people.”

The studio currently has two wheels, a 35 cubic foot gas kiln, a pug mill, an extruder, a large amount of wheel throwing and drying equipment as well as hand building stations.

Angela hopes to look at grant funding and eventually make it a not-for-profit project as well as expanding the equipment the studio can offer potters.

“I also want to have cake and clay groups, parent and children sessions as well as involving schools – I just want the space to be used by as many people as possible.”

The studio, which is set to open in August, has a price plan for users, either by the hour or memberships of between eight to 64 hours a month.

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Angela said: “I want to make this space affordable and open for all, this was meant to be a hobby but I have taken on this huge project.

“I am really excited, if a little nervous, but I hope people will come and enjoy doing pottery as much as I do in a space that is open to all.”

To find out more details, go to Kenninghall Community Studio Facebook page or email [email protected]