‘Growing Spaces’

wendydiamond20
Nov 29, 2021
1 min read

One of the great joys of living in South Wales, is walking my dog, Sadie in the grounds of Tradegar House.

At Tradegar, in addition to the extensive grounds and of course the house itself, there are a number of ‘workshop‘ units which house, Isca Woodcrafts (which I’ve mentioned in earlier blogs), a musical instruments shop, patchwork and quilting, an eco store and an organisation called ‘Growing Space’.

Growing Space is an ‘Investors in People’ mental health charity which works with individuals to build confidence and re introduce them through social interaction and skill building to the world of work. Individuals can be GP or self referred; they learn skills such as gardening, book keeping, online ordering,

stock taking and money management.

A number of months ago, I met the newly appointed administrator/ project manager, Michaella Glass; we got chatting and I shared with her something of my passion for pottery. I suggested that if anyone for whom I made a ceramic piece, wished to make a contribution to costs, that I would encourage them to make a small donation to ‘Growing Space’. I’m delighted say this is gaining momentum.…

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Realising a Dream..

This is me. Setting out on my journey as a hobbyist potter.

Pottery was an ‘add on’ O level course when I was at school, only offered in the sixth form. In to studying Music and RE to A level, I embarked on pottery ‘O’ level as a bit of light relief. I loved it although I was never particularly good at it. I made a few pots, mainly handbuilding using slabbing and coiling but didn’t really learn much.

What I wanted to do more than anything was throw on the wheel – the school did have a wheel but no one was allowed near it unless they knew what they were doing… an interesting approach to the process of acquiring skill methinks. I do have one of my very first pots – rather crude really, but its mine, with my initials ‘scrauped’ on the base. Over the intervening years, of which there were many, I watched the art of throwing from a distance, always hoping that one day it would happen.

We had bought our little cottage in Halifax in 2009. Six years later the adjoining house became available so we set about creating a home by combining the two halves. The ‘under-dwelling’, a feature of a number of houses in that area of West Yorkshire was a real gem; we converted into a pottery studio for me and there began my journey. I enrolled on a course in Springhead. Oldham and my amazingly talented pottery teacher, Sue Devine gave me one-to-one tuition in throwing. I bought a pottery wheel and was given a small kiln. My journey had begun – 40 years later!

Twelve month ago, my partner and I moved to Newport in South Wales. I am most fortunate have a pottery studio here. Why Andante Ceramics? Well, I work slowly, I go with the flow, I create no deadlines for my self. My world of clay is completely self-asbsorbing and tomorrow, if I am fortunate to have one, is another day.

My media pages give a flavour of what I do and my blog documents my thoughts as I journey through the wonderful world of pottery and ceramics. I wont sell any of my work but I delight in making pieces specifically for friends; I love the challenge that creating bespoke pieces bring. If you would like me to make something special do please ask.

Wendy Diamond

‘Growing Spaces’

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