THIS PRESS release is issued jointly by Cornwall County Council, Cornwall Enterprise, Creative Kernow and Sally and Alan Gillam, current owners of the Leach Pottery, St.Ives, Cornwall

STEERING GROUP HOPES TO SAVE
THE LEACH POTTERY ST.IVES

An influential Steering Group has been set up in Cornwall to put together a plan and funding to secure the future of the Leach Pottery, St.Ives.

The Pottery, founded by Bernard Leach in the early 1920s, is an extremely important site within the cultural and artistic heritage of St.Ives and Cornwall. It has considerable potential as an inspirational exhibition and educational resource as well as being one of the prime beacons of quality for the creative industries in Cornwall. It also has an existing international audience.

"It is clearly important that such a key part of the history of modern ceramic art should be preserved."
Mark Jones, Director, Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Facilitated by Cornwall Enterprise and Creative Kernow, with the strong support of Cornwall County Council, the Steering Group is working in partnership with the present owners, St.Ives residents Sally and Alan Gillam.

"When we acquired separately the Pottery and Cottage in 1999, our main motive was to preserve both as a unit. We are now very encouraged by the breadth of representation on the steering committee and are committed to working with it to secure the long-term survival of this important piece of Cornish heritage."
Alan and Sally Gillam, present joint owners

The aim is to provide a permanent home for an exemplar collection based on the work of Bernard Leach, his Japanese partner Shoji Hamada and other potters associated with the Leach Pottery, to increase public understanding of the ceramic arts and to strengthen international cultural links.
To secure the site's long term future, with public access and suitable workspace, major renovation work is required, especially for the kiln shed which is in a poor state of repair. Total funding needed, including the cost of purchase, has been estimated at around £1 million.

"I am very pleased to support this project. Bernard Leach is the final segment in the Modernist jigsaw that is St.Ives. Tate St Ives is prepared to assist by providing ceramic loans, educational links and promotional support including joint ticketing arrangements. This is a very exciting time for Cornwall but it does need vision and belief on behalf of all the funding agencies concerned."
Susan Daniel-McElroy, Director, Tate St Ives

The Leach Steering Group includes senior representatives from the National Trust, the Victoria & Albert Museum, Tate St Ives, Falmouth College of Arts, the Cornwall Crafts Association, Cornwall Heritage Trust, Arts Council of England, South West, the Royal Cornwall Museum, Penlee House Gallery and Museum, the Japan Society, The Leach Appeal, Cornwall County Council, Penwith District Council and St Ives Town Council. Also included is Emmanuel Cooper, Editor of the magazine Ceramic Review and author of the recently published biography Bernard Leach Life & Work. The Group is chaired by St.Ives resident Lady Carol Holland.

"I am writing on behalf of the National Trust to confirm our strong support for the efforts currently in hand to find a long term solution for the Leach Pottery. We believe it is very important for the site to be properly cared for on a permanent basis, in a way which will allow continued public access and wider benefits."
Andrew Davey, Area Manager, National Trust

Further information can be obtained from

Teresa Timms, PR Manager
Cornwall Enterprise
Telephone: 01872 322800 Email: teresa.timms@cornwallenterprise.co.uk

Note to Editors

1. A retrospective exhibition of work by David Leach, son of Bernard Leach and formerly manager of the Leach Pottery, St Ives, opens at Penlee House Gallery and Museum, Penzance, on 17 January and runs until 20 March 2004.
Contact Alison Lloyd (01736 363625).

2. An exhibition of work from the Wingfield Digby Collection entitled Leach & his Circle, curated by Emmanuel Cooper, opens at Tate St Ives on 7 February and runs until 9 May. It accompanies an exhibition of paintings by Karl Weschke.
Contact Ina Cole (01736 791121).