My first official thesis was about (Josiah) Wedgwood - I was 17. Never could I have imagined then I would once visit the Barlaston Wedgwood factory IRL. Together with a lot of other porcelain factories!
After Blackpool we stayed south of Stoke on Trent (Potteries country) and had a great time visiting the various potteries. This again is such an interesting part of English History!
Now I'm not the one to update you on this subject, but do see some pics I took that might give you a good impression of this centuries old industry.
PS. Please note. I wrote way back then about Josiah Wedgwood because I was interested in what he had accomplished and I revered him for his social works. When we visited 'his' factory the new premises - museum, shop - were just about finished. It's the new 'World of Wedgwood Visitor Experience'.
The museum is stunning.
The shop offers the now on sale porcelain, and it's for the Super Wealthy. Only. Think Russian olicharchs and Middle East (Oil) sheiks. 'Normal' people, like the inhabitants of Barlaston and Stoke, can hardly afford the beautifully made Wedgwood anymore. Nor can I.
Personally I don't know if Josiah would have agreed, had he lived now.
That said, perhaps it's the only way to survive these days. I don't know. But the blatant, shiny, glittery - and IMHO rather tasteless - luxury of the new shop was rather overpowering and it strongly gave the impression we didn't belong there. Unworthy.
And that's a pity.
After Blackpool we stayed south of Stoke on Trent (Potteries country) and had a great time visiting the various potteries. This again is such an interesting part of English History!
Now I'm not the one to update you on this subject, but do see some pics I took that might give you a good impression of this centuries old industry.
PS. Please note. I wrote way back then about Josiah Wedgwood because I was interested in what he had accomplished and I revered him for his social works. When we visited 'his' factory the new premises - museum, shop - were just about finished. It's the new 'World of Wedgwood Visitor Experience'.
The museum is stunning.
The shop offers the now on sale porcelain, and it's for the Super Wealthy. Only. Think Russian olicharchs and Middle East (Oil) sheiks. 'Normal' people, like the inhabitants of Barlaston and Stoke, can hardly afford the beautifully made Wedgwood anymore. Nor can I.
Personally I don't know if Josiah would have agreed, had he lived now.
That said, perhaps it's the only way to survive these days. I don't know. But the blatant, shiny, glittery - and IMHO rather tasteless - luxury of the new shop was rather overpowering and it strongly gave the impression we didn't belong there. Unworthy.
And that's a pity.
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