The Thrown Forms of Muchelney: Intermediate Throwing, Plates & Mugs

Across 2024 – 2025 the Leach Pottery is undertaking capital building works to improve the site for future potters. Find out more here

The key foundations of Muchelney Pottery are creating tactile forms, robustly made with strong shapes. These foundations will provide the focus of this two-day course. Participants will be introduced to the throwing approach of Muchelney Pottery’s Lead Potter, Mark Melbourne, and create pieces informed by the shapes of Muchelney standardware. This workshop is part of Muchelney Pottery’s 60th anniversary celebrations across 2025.

Muchelney Pottery was established in 1965 by John and Lizzie Leach in Muchelney, Somerset. John set up the Pottery having trained with his grandfather Bernard Leach, and his father David to continue the tradition of handmade ceramics. Muchelney Pottery shares many similarities in ethos to the Leach Pottery, both creating objects of beauty and functionality. 

Overview 
This is a 2 Day practice-based throwing course and is aimed at confident throwers who wish to challenge and develop their throwing skills as they become familiar with the throwing approach and resulting forms of two key Muchelney Pottery shapes. This is an opportunity to encounter new skills and brush up on essential techniques. (Full details of participant’s ability requirements below)

Over the years many potters came to study at Muchelney Pottery including this course’s leader, Mark Melbourne, who has been part of the Muchelney team for over 25 years and is the current Lead Potter.

This course is taught to a small group of 5 participants.

The course covers:
- throwing basic cylinders leading onto mugs and supper plates.
- throwing to specific measurements, and repeat throwing.
- turning and finishing, pulling and attaching handles.
- throwing directly onto the wheel head without use of a bat.

When: Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June 2025 
Where: Bernard’s Studio, The Leach Pottery. (Unfortunately, courses held in Bernard’s Studio are inaccessible for wheelchair users)
Price: £295
Capacity: 5
Duration: 2 days. Core teaching hours: 10am – 4pm
Please arrive at 10.00am on the first day of your course to take part in the tour of the museum.  
Equipment & materials: clay and a basic tool kit is provided. We focus on building core skills and working directly with the clay to get the most from a core selection of tools. Please bring additional tools if you wish to use them along with an apron and hand towel.  
You will leave with: There will be no fired outcomes to this course as it is only 2 days long and focuses on building skills rather than making for firing.

Participants are welcome to take up to 6 pieces (within the footprint of 20 x 20 x 20cm) of greenware away with them.

Please bring a box and packing material to take unfired pieces away with you if you wish. 

Skill Level: This two-day course is written with potters in mind who have the ability to centre reliably and pull desired forms consistently. You may have forms you regularly throw but are wishing to develop your shapes and improve on production throwing skills.

Any questions? Please visit out FAQ — The Leach Pottery 

Please be aware, only assistance dogs are allowed in the Learning spaces.  Terms and conditions We are delighted to offer a 10% discount in our Shop for 14 days from the start of your course.