Recent_Projects

Saxon kiln reconstruction at Bede's World, Jarrow.
This kiln is based on interpretation of a number of excavated examples from both the UK and Scandinavia. Construction of the kiln has been completed and it has been fired empty to harden the fabric, I hope to fire the first pots in this kiln very soon. Watch This Space.

Prehistoric Pottery Workshop at Senhouse Roman Museum, Maryport
I spent a day with an enthusiastic group of adult learners creating replicas of Neolithic and Bronze-Age pots. First we created the tool kit using natural materials such as; slate, tree bark, antler, sea shells, etc. We then went on to create the facsimile beakers, food vessels and carinated bowls and finished off the day with an open firing which, despite the very brisk breeze, was highly successful.

Making Roman Altars with North Tyneside Advanced Learners:
This project, at Segedunum, ran over a period of four weeks, two separate groups of children made their own interpretations of portable Roman altars. Once created these were dried and fired in the Roman Kiln on site.

An Early Saxon Kiln with Whittingham First Sghool: This kiln has been built, or more correctly, dug, at the Maelmin Heritage Trail at Milfield near Wooler, Northumberland. The work was done almost entirely by the children themselves and was completed in a matter of hours. The kiln consists of two cylindrical pits dug into the ground and connected at the botton by a tunnel. One pit is for the stoker to sit in. The other is the ware chamber where the pots will be packed. The tunnel is the fire box in which the fire will be lit. The children have all made pots and these will be finished in the first firing in the near future,