The  18th century Adams Factory

Writer and broadcaster John Boynton Priestly made his first visit to the Potteries in 1933 when he was writing his new book English Journey, a personalised semi-documentary account of life in England.

A well built, good natured, plain speaking, pipe smoking Yorkshireman, he visited towns and cities throughout the country collecting material for the book. Meandering northwards from Southampton, he made his way to the Potteries where he visited two 18th century potbanks –  Adams in Tunstall and Wedgwood at Etruria.

John was surprised to hear the foreman at Adams calling the workers “ladies and gentlemen” instead of  ”men and women”. He saw them making and decorating cups and saucers, tea pots, butter dishes, dinner ware and tea services. They all took pride in their work. John admired their skill and craftsmanship but was critical of the firm’s old fashioned designs which were not selling well in overseas markets. Before leaving the factory, he unsuccessfully attempted to throw a large plate on a potter’s wheel. He could not control its speed and the clay kept spinning off the wheel.

Unwilling to admit defeat, John decided to try again when he went to Wedgwood. He persuaded the company to let him throw a vase. His skills as a potter were limited. Amused workers watched his futile attempts to shape the clay. Realising he did not have the ability to make a vase, John spent all afternoon trying to create a bowl. One disaster followed another but eventually he managed to produce something resembling a bowl that could be used as an ashtray.