Ceramic Workshop ...

Today was the first of the summer workshop's...and the sun shone...hooray!

We were able to eat lunch in the garden which is always a treat...

...and the finished work was great. The potter had a few ideas ready for those who were first timers.
But the others came through with lots of creative thoughts...that's what makes the group more and more exciting to work with.

...Anne...

...Bibu...

...Denise...

...Gill...

...Gwen...

...Jim...

...John...

...Barbara...

...Margaret...

...with a little bit of input and advice from the potter!!

...hmm?...blankets?

well it is the north of England..

we are just thankful for the rain to stop and the sun to shine!!!

Party for Stan the Potter.

Stan's Birthday do!

We all trooped up to the Oaks Community Cafe and by all I mean all 18 of us......

...all the workers there are volunteers...well almost all...

So they spread three tables for us with bread and butter....soups and paninis....cheese and onion pie and baked potatoes!!

We brought along some wine and two yummy chocolate cakes with candles...

...of course.

They needed 85 candles!...

I gave up after 8...

This Tuesday morning group are so close and may I say

..." such fun"...

...if that's not taking the words out of Miranda's mother's mouth!!!

...turned out it was Margaret's birthday  as well... 

and then everyone came clean...

Paul....

...and Margaret...celebrate 52 years together....

...WHAT?!!!

...never...

...lots of craic....

...and much puffing of flames...!

...wine gone ...coffee gone ...cake nearly gone...might take this bit home!

...just call us party people!!

jazz in the garden

We had our annual open garden bash recently.

It's  ...£1 at the garden gate...and then buy some cake and drinks...if you want.

I always panic over the weather, after all we are up here in the N.W. of England and you know all about  the Manchester rain jokes!...

Anyway...the sun shone...and the breeze was balmy...and the garden filled up with neighbours, friends and family.

The music was great...we had Helen Monks and her band...

Michael Healey her dad... gave us a fabulous jazz set on the Saxaphone..

...the local musicians gave us some great times...

and your's truly did her best to keep the gang happy with the usual music..and a few new ones.

And so here are  just a few pics to let you into some more of the goings on at 

The Potters House Penketh and the crazy days we get up to.....

Every year just before we start I say..."never again"...

...and then when it's all over and really successful I think..

."Oh... what shall we do next year?" 

...the day starts with setting up the sound system...

...the musicians arrive...

...a bit of a traffic jam!...

...and Esther and the potter await the coming cakes!...

 ...Isabelle and the potter...pops...guard the cakes!...

... the workers grab a bite to eat before the gates are opened...

...and in come the public...to get a seat in the sun...

the garden fills up...

...the son is shining...

...service is ready...so let the party begin...

...Helen Monks and band...

...Mickey L....easy listening and always a joy...

...Billy P.....Mr. Cool...

...your's truly with Billy S. on key board..

I never have to worry...if I make a mistake...he covers it up...the best!

...and Michael Healey...wowing us with an amazing jazz set on sax.....

a well known N.W. musician gave us some great music...

...so good!

Then just when we were all done...

 along came Sam to lull us into a late summer dream with some gentle ambiant music...

... and French melodies on the accordian.

...is everybody happy?...
...bet your life we are!

 

Cakes at The Potters House.

This is just a taster of the workshop that was held here on Saturday by our daughter.
No doubt Neviepiecakes will have a super post on all of this soon.
But in the mean time I just want to show some of the things that happened...and admit that I felt quite emotional as she taught these thirteen women to paint on cakes.

Natasha on the left discussing painting technique.

We used to say to our two children as they were growing up..."don't go into teaching!"
It was a reaction to the tiredness that we felt and the sense of suffocation in the teaching world in the 80s...at least that's how we felt and why we got out, to set up The Potters House here in Penketh.
But both have in their own way gone into ..if not teaching...then passing on information of their skills, to others.

 As usual all three of the studios were used.

Your's truly provided food and sustenance. Lots of drinks to keep the inspiration flowing...

and a spot of lunch to rest the weary brains!

And the potter didn't waste any opportunities to talk clay......

Happy days!!