Potter's stalls amongst the abbey ruins

Earth and Fire is a very popular ceramics festival and in 2008 people were turned away because the car parks were full. To ensure that this didn't happen in 2009 the event was stretched to 3 days. I visited on the first day when it was relatively quiet, fortunately most of my pottery friends had the same idea so I didn't miss many people.

The weather was kind and as it wasn't too busy I had the chance to talk to many of the potters. There was one major disappointment, the anagama kiln wasn't being fired, I was told that was for health and safely reasons, hopefully it will be back in action in 2010.

It was good to have a another look around the David and Margaret Frith Concordia exhibition in Rufford's exhibition hall and I also enjoyed watching John Jelfs demonstrating how he makes his teapots.