The Farnham Pottery Trust has been established in order to preserve the historic Farnham Pottery buildings and develop their use to become a centre of ceramic excellence.

Background
The Farnham Potteries was established in 1872 by the brilliant Victorian entrepreneur and craftsman Absalom Harris and successfully produced terracotta garden ware and decorative ceramic goods through five successive generations of the Harris family until its demise due to economic pressure and lack of direction in the mid 1990s (see history section of this website). The site was then acquired by the Farnham Historic Buildings Trust, which put in place major remedial work.  Though this timely investment ensured the buildings’ structural integrity, a large area of the site remains dormant and in need of attention.

The Current Situation
The buildings are currently home to specialist tile makers Froyle Tiles who are also a retail outlet for the traditional Farnham pottery wares currently made by local potter Mike Pinner.  Along side Froyle Tiles the ‘West Street Potters’ run classes for Adults and schools and host an expanding range of craft master classes by professional ceramicists from across the UK and the Farnham Sculpture Group operate from a studio within the same building. Elsewhere on the site the food retailers Smith and Causey run a coffee shop and quality farm shop on site, both of which attract steady custom from within the locale.

The Future
The Aims and objectives of the Pottery Trust 
      
(A)       To preserve for the benefit of potters, ceramicists, craftspeople and the public at large the unique collection of listed historic buildings known as “The Farnham Pottery” in Wrecclesham in the County of Surrey.

(B)       To actively encourage the development of ceramics and of associated
crafts by providing workshops and allied accommodation for recently qualified students and other craftspeople upon terms appropriate to their means.

(C)       To promote the furtherance of knowledge of ceramics and associated crafts by supporting postgraduate education in conjunction with further education establishments.

(D)       To promote public awareness of the art and craft of the ceramicist by organising exhibitions, lectures, courses and open days.