Pottery Will Get You Nowhere


It certainly didn't with poor old Trevor Corser who, despite the last surviving continuous link to Bernard Leach, was unceremoniously given the boot when they shut the place down last year. So, there's nothing to see there now. (I think it is being re-developed. Although god knows how destroying the character of the place by getting rid of the characters in the place is supposed to benefit future generations!).

However, the Spooky St. Ives Reporting Team were lucky enough to get access to the Leach Pottery when it was still the Leach Pottery that Bernard Leach would have recognised, thanks to the one person there that Bernard Leach would have recognised. So, weak and foolish mortals:-

"His name is Trevor Corser, King of Potters

Look upon his (former) works, ye Mighty, and despair!"

Percy Bysshe Jelly
1792-1822

How to find the Leach Pottery.

The Leach Pottery is at the top of the Stennack (I'm assuming you've managed to find St. Ives). If you are coming into St. Ives from Carbis Bay, when you get to the Porthminster Hotel follow the signs to the coach park rather than turning off right to drop down into the town. Go past the big car park and follow the road which will take you past St. Ives Junior School and then turns right and drops down onto a nasty-looking little junction which comprises two mini roundabouts stuck together. Ignoring the confusing layout (but observing the traffic!) you just turn left and head straight up the Higher Stennack. A hundred yards or so you will find the Leach Pottery looming on your left opposite Parc-an-Creet garage.

If you are coming from Penzance along the old road (i.e. via Halsetown), the pottery is on your right immediately past the Fire Station and Penbeagle Lane.

If you are already in St. Ives, just head straight up the Stennack from Gabriel Street.

If you are coming from any other direction then you are hopelessly lost and should seek help (and/or a pub)!

Map showing location of Leach Pottery, St. Ives, Cornwall

 X marks the spot. (Well, due to my total absence of any artistic ability, it's more of a blob than an x but it will do).

The Leach Pottery, St. Ives, Cornwall 1

 Could this be a sign?

Parc-an-Creet gargae opposite the Leach pottery, St. Ives, Cornwall

 The unobtrusive Parc-an-Creet garage. If you can't spot this, stop driving immediately and consult an optician!

On arrival we went for a quick potter around the pottery. 

The Leach Pottery, St. Ives, Cornwall 2 The Leach's former residence, which now houses the permanent expedition.
The Leach Pottery, St. Ives, Cornwall 3 Trevor's potting shed. The business end of the operation. Do not enter uninvited if you are the sort of person who is easily offended by having a Ming Dynasty vase wrapped around your head! 
Garden in the Leach Pottery, St. Ives, Cornwall The garden. Totally fails to stop the rain coming through the holes in the roof of Trevor's lair. 
The Leach Pottery, St. Ives, Cornwall 4 Such is the fame of the Leach Pottery that even the Cornish Piskies have set up a kiln there!

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ERRATUM: For 'expedition' read 'exhibition' throughout!

 
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