1. The History
J H Weatherby & Sons were initially established at Tunstall in 1891. The following year they moved to larger works at Falcon Pottery in nearby Hanley. They specialised in good quality earthenware tableware, but later went on to produce fine porcelain.
Originally the works had 5 kilns, but 3 were relocated to the southern end of the site in 1906, when the firm expanded. A new front of the site was also added providing a new façade to the main street. The firm continued to grow slowly between and after the wars, first branching into hotel-wares, then later collectables. By the 1970s the firm’s expansion was hindered by planning control.
The site was Grade II listed in May 1989. In 2000 the works finally closed. At its peak the works employed 200, but at the time of employed just 10 men.
2. The Explore
An old staple of the Potteries, this place is on its last legs but still very photogenic. With a Heritage week trip booked in at nearby Chatterley colliery, it would have been rude not to pop in here prior to our tour. So after parking up nearby, me and my two exploring buddies made our way in. Entry is easy but once in you need to keep your wits about you as it is a bit sketchy in places. So yes, it is trashed. It is falling down in places. But it is still very photogenic and there still a few things here and there that pique your interest. The old mouldings store was particularly interesting. Hence after an hour or so we made our way back out and headed a few miles north to Chatterley.
3. The Pictures
Apologies! Picture heavy…
Front of house:
Looking through the gate:
And round the back:
And we’re in:
Open to the elements:
Big open room here with a number of ovens:
Some sort of circular oven:
Detail:
And some square ones with extraction vents:
Some old cups:
A jug:
And assorted broken porcelain:
Up the stairs we go. Empty store room:
Here’s a sharpening stone:
Not too much of interest in this room:
With the roof off:
A couple of old water tanks:
Looking down on the roof of the adjoining building:
Looks a bit sketchy:
Nature taking over here:
And on to the old moulding’s store:
J H Weatherby & Sons were initially established at Tunstall in 1891. The following year they moved to larger works at Falcon Pottery in nearby Hanley. They specialised in good quality earthenware tableware, but later went on to produce fine porcelain.
Originally the works had 5 kilns, but 3 were relocated to the southern end of the site in 1906, when the firm expanded. A new front of the site was also added providing a new façade to the main street. The firm continued to grow slowly between and after the wars, first branching into hotel-wares, then later collectables. By the 1970s the firm’s expansion was hindered by planning control.
The site was Grade II listed in May 1989. In 2000 the works finally closed. At its peak the works employed 200, but at the time of employed just 10 men.
2. The Explore
An old staple of the Potteries, this place is on its last legs but still very photogenic. With a Heritage week trip booked in at nearby Chatterley colliery, it would have been rude not to pop in here prior to our tour. So after parking up nearby, me and my two exploring buddies made our way in. Entry is easy but once in you need to keep your wits about you as it is a bit sketchy in places. So yes, it is trashed. It is falling down in places. But it is still very photogenic and there still a few things here and there that pique your interest. The old mouldings store was particularly interesting. Hence after an hour or so we made our way back out and headed a few miles north to Chatterley.
3. The Pictures
Apologies! Picture heavy…
Front of house:
Looking through the gate:
And round the back:
And we’re in:
Open to the elements:
Big open room here with a number of ovens:
Some sort of circular oven:
Detail:
And some square ones with extraction vents:
Some old cups:
A jug:
And assorted broken porcelain:
Up the stairs we go. Empty store room:
Here’s a sharpening stone:
Not too much of interest in this room:
With the roof off:
A couple of old water tanks:
Looking down on the roof of the adjoining building:
Looks a bit sketchy:
Nature taking over here:
And on to the old moulding’s store:
