This evening, channel4 7.45pm UK time, we welcomed the fourth season of the Great Pottery Throw Down!
There were quite a few changes of note just from the beginning. First that the show wasn’t filmed at Middleport Pottery last year but at the Gladstone Pottery Museum in Stoke on Trent. Second that the show has its third line up change with both a new presenter – Siobhán McSweeny (Derry Girls), and Rich Miller being promoted from technician to presenter alongside Keith Brymer Jones! There is also a new technician, but I didn’t catch her name at the beginning – but hopefully she is introduced properly at some point.
A third big difference was that the entire cast and crew were living together in order to film, much like the Great British Bake Off cast did. That must have been an enormous sacrifice for all involved. But perhaps hopefully ment the filming could be done more quickly as I understand normally potters were travelling back and forth for months for filming.
Did you enjoy it? What did you make of the cheese sets?
I think there seemed to be a broad spectrum of potters which is great to see. Lots of different styles came through in the challenges. We got a sneak peak of a hand building task for next week that o thought looked fantastic! And the technical was goblets again.
I think it’s honestly the best time for the GPTD to be back – while most of the UK is in lockdown again, we all need something wholesome, creative and engaging to watch. And hopefully it inspires more people to take up clay!
Air dry and polymer clay is an affordable way to start hand building without the use of a kiln. Many potters and studios are also happy to rent out space in firings as well – so do check your local area. Clay Craft magazine have a listings section at the back which is a good place to start.
I can’t wait for next Sunday! Happy Potting everyone – stay safe and take care
PS xx
Stratford Ceramics 