The Old Smithy, Llanrhaeadr, Denbighshire, Wales

Tel: +44 01745890532
Map of Anvil Pottery location

The Pottery occupies what was until the late 1960's the village smithy. Since the village of Llanrhaeadr (which means the holy place by the waterfall) is thought to have been an occupied site since the 6th century A.D., it can be assumed that the smithy had existed as such for hundreds of years, though the present building may only be two to three hundred years old. The restoration of the smithy, largely completed in 1981, was undertaken so as to intrude as little as possible on the former use of the workshop. The Pottery workshop occupies what was the smith's workshop. Both the remaining forges, the workbench and toolrack and the housing for the forge bellows are intact and left as they were when used by the smith. The pottery kiln and glazing area are housed in the former shoeing bay where some twenty horses were shod in a day within living memory. Coincidentally, the last smith to live and work here, and his forefathers, had the fine name of Hughes. Anvil Pottery started trading in April 1981 by Allan Hughes and John Hughes (no relation) in partnership. Both potters share equally in the range of activities which go to make a pot. The clays used are slightly grogged stoneware and earthenware bodies and are ready for use when delivered. All the pots are thrown on the potters wheel and the full range of domestic ware is produced, the emphasis being on use rather than ornament. The decorating techniques used are sgraffito, incising, and slip trailing and the inspiration for the design of decorations comes from naturally occuring shape and line and from things celtic paying homage to the Welsh connection. The finished stoneware pots are bisque fired and ....

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