POTTERS in Weymouth are appealing for help to find a building they could use to house a wood-firing kiln.

Members of the Dorset Pottery Group hope to expand their skills and need to find an ‘obsolete outbuilding, large shed or barn’ to do so.

They already have the necessary equipment of kiln bricks and metalwork but are unable to find a place to use it.

Recently, the group has been meeting at the Portland Arts Centre in Fortuneswell where chairman David Archer has his Hundred-Aker-Wood Pottery workshop.

The Upwey Potters, who are all members of the Dorset Pottery Group, meet at the Old School in Upwey but Mr Archer said at present that building had a soda gas kiln in situ and it is ‘not a viable plot’ for a wood fired kiln.

He said: “A wood-fired kiln is a totally different prospect and for us potters, incredibly exciting.

“That is why we are desperately hoping for a kind farmer or landowner for a old barn in order to establish one.

“The group already has the kiln bricks and metalwork in its possession and some of Dorset’s best potters, like Tim Hurn have offered help to us in the building of it.”

He added: “In an effort to give Dorset potters the opportunity to experience firing their pots in the old traditional way of using a wood-firing kiln, we are on the lookout for a friendly farmer in the Weymouth or Chickerell area.

“We need to find an obsolete outbuilding, large shed or barn that we can loan, lease or rent at a very reasonable cost to house our wood-fired kiln, which we wish to build for our members to use on a regular basis.

“The kiln is not a permanent structure and requires around 12ft by 12ft of roof cover and space to store a limited amount of wood for each firing.”

Anyone in the farming community who is able to help is asked to contact David Archer on 01305 788278 or by emailing hundredakerwoodpottery@ yahoo.co.uk.

n laura.kitching@ dorsetecho.co.uk