A BOSCASTLE business has recently been featured on a Channel 4 craft programme, Craft it Yourself, with a little trip down memory lane for the presenter, writes Rosie Cripps.

On Tuesday, August 1, episode two of Channel 4’s Craft it Yourself aired in the evening, allowing viewers to take an insight into the world of arts, crafts and all things creative.

One of three presenters, Ant Anstead found himself taking a little trip down memory lane as he paid a visit to Boscastle Pottery to learn the art of creating a quirky, original piece with the help of cheerful potter, Roger Irving-Little.

During the feature, Ant was given the opportunity to make his own pots, as well as watching demonstrations by Roger, the master at work.

The Post got in touch with Boscastle Pottery to find out more, and it seems it meant a lot to presenter, Ant, to pay a visit to the village. Roger said: “The presenter, as a lad, would come down to Boscastle and come to the pottery to watch us work.

“Before we were asked to do the show, the presenter was asked to pick a pottery to visit as a feature, and he picked us. He used to come quite often as a youngster, about ten years ago — we’ve been here a long time.”

Roger, now in his sixtieth year as a potter, has owned Boscastle Pottery with his wife, Nanette, for over 50 years, to be later joined in the venture by their son, Tim.

Roger first began his love of pottery when he undertook a four-year apprenticeship at a London pottery, going on to do his ‘bit for queen and country’, and retiring to Boscastle from London 50 years ago.

Speaking about filming, Roger described the day as ‘hilarious’. He said: “It was a small group of them, but they spent the whole day here for about ten minutes of programme! It was a laugh from start to finish.

“We carried on as normal — we had the shop open and we were working. The man in the background is my son, Tim, and my wife Nanette was also there.

“It was good. I showed him an initial piece, and did a few demo pieces, and then I just let him get on with it.

“He started out with a lump of clay, which is the hardest thing to do. You’ve got to be absolutely precision centered, or you’ll never make a pot! But he got on with it, made some unusual shapes — I, of course, made fun of him — and then we showed him how to make your own handle, and then, of course, the magic decorating of the piece.”

There are five people working at the pottery — Roger, Nanette, Tim and two assistants. The business was established in 1962.

Roger describes their style of pottery as ‘traditional slipware’, made with liquid clay. He said: “It’s mainly domestic work, there’s not a lot of art involved — so we make things like dishes, bowls, pots, and other bits. I do a few ornamental pieces too. They’re all handmade and painted here in Boscastle.”

Boscastle Pottery is a real family-based studio, and has continued the tradition of selling local pottery, as the original pottery before them was established in 1661.

Speaking about showing the presenter how to create their local pottery, Roger added: “I didn’t mind, I was quite happy showing them how to do it. We work in front of the public all of the time anyway.”

Following the show, presenter Ant took to Twitter, and said: “Going back to Boscastle Pottery was amazing! Loved it! Wasn’t very good at it mind you…”