Pottery classes in Kent full to the brim with new students

By Evangeline Dryden

Aylesford School of Ceramics are seeing an influx of students after the hit show, The Great Pottery Throw Down enters it’s second series on the BBC.

Contestants on the show compete to create spectacular pieces of pottery.

The success of the programme has sparked an interest in pottery making and pottery classes in Aylesford are full to the brim with students who want to try out the craft that has been around for thousands of years.

Billy Byles and Alan Parris run the pottery school and have been masters in their craft for years. The pair were in the running to be judges on the BBC show but unfortunately lost out.

However, that has not dampened their spirits as they see more and more students leaving their classes with smiles on their faces and clay on their clothes.

Billy said: “People have got so many things in their house that they’ve bought, they’re swaying to have day experiences to make something and fill their homes with things they’ve made.”

“There are children who come on the first Saturday of each month. They can just turn up for an hour or the whole day, whatever suits, and those are getting more and more popular too because they’re not doing it in school.”

The courses are for mixed ability potters. Beginners will be given a tour of the workshop and shown all the stages of making a pot.

One day courses are available for people who want to have a taster but there is a 12-week option too.

For more information on the courses call 01622 790796, email enquiries@aylesfordpottery.co.uk, or visit aylesfordschoolofceramics.co.uk.