THE project to restore the internationally renowned Leach Pottery at St. Ives has been given a £610,000 funding boost from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Penwith District Council was noticed that its application was successful on Tuesday 29th March and says it is hoping it will be the first of a number of significant grants' from funding agencies towards the project. The St. Ives Mayor, Cllr. Harry Isaacs, an ex-Leach Pottery student, welcomed the announcement: "This is fantastic news. St. Ives Town Council were the first body to come on board with this project. The Leach Pottery is such an important part of our town's heritage and a vital part of our tourist industry''
" This award from the Heritage Lottery Fund is yet another example of the success of working in partnership with Penwith District Council,'' continued Cllr. Issacs,adding. "This shows again, that working together we can achieve more than on our own. I feel sure that the people of St. lves will be delighted that this much loved aspect of our town will be saved and enhanced for the enjoyment and education of future generations of both residents and visitors alike.'' John Bedding, working potter and ex- Leach Pottery student said: "As a working potter in the county for nearly 40 years, this news has come as a shot in the arm for the craft pottery community. It is also a boost of confidence and acknowledgment of the contribution that the crafts industry as a whole makes to the local economy.
The Leach Pottery is a site of international significance, being the home of Bernard Leach and, for fifty years, the centre of the craft pottery movement. After 85 years, the pottery and cottage are up for sale and in danger of being lost, both as a place where pots are made and where people can experience something of the spirit of the Leach Pottery in its heyday. This Heritage Lottery Fund award, and subsequent funding from other agencies, will enable the Leach Pottery Restoration Project to acquire the site, conserve the two listed buildings and create a new studio pottery training and business start-up facility. Organisers of the bid say the project will 'actively foster emerging talent and, through opening up the old pottery workshop to visitors, will celebrate the life, work, influence and legacy of Bernard Leach'.
The total cost of the project is £1.7 million and further applications have been made to the Arts Council Lottery, Objective One and the South West Regional Development Agency within the next few months. Nerys Watts, Regional Manager for the Heritage Lottery Fund in the South West, said: "St. Ives is an important tourist destination and this project will create another major cultural attraction to complement sites like the Tate St. Ives and Barbara Hepworth Gardens, as well as allowing the tradition of a working pottery to continue."
Lady Holland, Chairman, Leach Pottery Restoration Project said she is delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund panel recognise the local, national and international significance of the Leach Pottery St Ives and have led the way in offering a substantial contribution to support this important project'. She is confident other major funding bodies will follow suit'. Jim McKenna Chief Executive, Penwith Dlstrict Council said it 'is really brilliant news for St. Ives' I am sure it will encourage the other funding agencies to dig deeply and support this excellent project. Not only will the project be creating jobs and regenerating a deprived area of the town, but it will also provide high quality training for young people and start-up facilities for new studio pottery businesses. West Cornwall already has the largest cluster of working studio potters outside London and the project airns to build on this strength with the power and international reach of the Leach name. I would like to thank all those involved in getting the project this far and the continued support of St. Ives Town Council, Cornwall County Council and Creative Kernow'' The project partnership includes: Penwith District Council, St. Ives Town Council, Cornwall County Council, University College Falmouth, Creative Kernow, Tate St. Ives, St. Ives Trust Archive Study Centre, St. Ives Residents' Association, Penlee House Gallery & Museum, Royal Cornwall Museum, V&A Museum, Surrey Institute of Art & Design (Crafts Study Centre), 'The Japan Society, Mingeikan Museum in Japan, and many professional potters.