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We went to Pendley Manor in Tring in December 1957 to a pottery conference.
We first met Michael there. Michael gave a demonstration how to make a
little screw top soy pot. When he had finished the first one and put it
down it finally collapsed because it was still full of water. When he
was making the second one he said, 'We even make screw top teapots'. Bernard
and Janet Leach were sitting right in front of us and Bernard said 'My
God!', Michael then determined to give him a teapot, with a screw top.
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56. Large oil jar. Michael really loved this pot. He called
it 'Heart of Darkness' which was unusual for him, as he did not
like the idea of naming pots. Shades of Staite Murray! This jar
is in the York Museum.
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57. A 'Gwari' casserole.
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58. A large teapot.
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59. A few months after our first our first daughter, Philippa was
born in 1960, we received these pieces, which were quite unexpected,
from Michael. We were totally thrilled of course.
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60. When he was with us in 1968 he made one for Rebecca, our
second daughter. He actually made one for Catherine too, but it
was damaged, so when he went back to Wenford he made another ...
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61. ...and sent it to us.
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62. Here is Michael at a kiln opening of mine in 1968. He arrived
choked with 'flu, so we had to get the doctor to him. He had quite
a busy schedule, with programmed visits for a week, but he recovered
quickly with good food - great cook - and care.
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63. Here he is at West Coast beach with our family. He enjoyed the
children very much.
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64. Here is Michael making a big oil jar in my workshop, the
last one he made at our place.
He said later in a letter that he had had a wonderful year.
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I'm honoured to have known and worked with Michael. Diane and I have
enjoyed a lasting friendship, which began in Abuja and continued and grew
through correspondence and visits over the next twenty years. Thank you
very much.
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