Just checked the urban explorers site over lunch, and someone’s been into the old Spode factory again (photos above courtesy of starsplorer 28DL). Sad to see it like that, I fondly remember the visits I’ve made there over the years, the quiet, intense energy of the engraving workshop and the more animated concentration of the copper plate printing area. On my second visit to Rörstrand printing old copper plates from their archive in 2006,  the factory had recently closed and I was aware of the huge amount of industrial detrius just lying upstairs. I managed to buy a set of old wooden decorating trays, used to carry ware around the factory, sometimes on moveable trolleys. I bought as many as I could fit into my car, but I wished I’d had a van to fill. I’ve subsequently turned them into a plan chest for storing some of my decals. On my recent visit back, it seems that most of the leftover industrial debris has ‘made the lake that little bit smaller’ - ie its been thrown away (the reference is to Lake Vänern - the town of Lidköping is located on the southern edge).

I would love to have access to the old Spode factory and to be able to make some work as a result before all the stuff ends up in landfill.... might it be a possibility?

I’d also be very interested for my Rörstrand exhibition this autumn to make a return journey to Stoke. Whilst my work explores, exploits and stretches the blue and white language of printed tablewares so associated with the town, I’ve only shown work there once. One of the discoveries I made in the Rörstrand archive were copper printing plates stamped Wenger, Hanley. They dated back to the 1850’s when copper plate printing was introduced to Sweden. It would be an appropriate way for the English/Swedish connection to be re-visited some 160 years on ... Both Lidköping and Stoke on Trent have to come to terms with the loss of their main manufacturing industries, and both are interested to retain and exploit their specialist knowledge and expertise through ceramic micro-businesses and revitalized connections with artists and designers....

Anyway talking about Stoke, it was announced last week at Collect that I’m one of the shortlisted artists for the British Ceramics Biennial Award.

I’m very near the end of my PhD thesis... its days away. What a relief it will be.