NEWSLETTER January 2010

Happy New Year once again to everyone - a little late, due to the severe weather conditions and a bad case of black ice. This is our second update to let you know how the apprenticeship scheme is progressing.
Adopt-a-Potter has had a very successful 2009 - we became a registered charity, we raised considerable amounts of money from exhibitions and we were able to fund our first apprenticeship. The thing that took us a bit by surprise was the sheer amount of work involved in running the charity, so some things fell by the wayside, but we are trying to pick them up now.
For instance, we failed to keep our wonderful webmaster, David Binch, who runs Oakwood Gallery, supplied with up to date information, and our website is somewhat historic. We are working with David to correct that, and hopefully will keep on top of it from now on. David gives us his time free of charge, so a big thank you to him for that. If there is anything you feel we should have on our website, or any relevant information you want to share with the potters' community, please get in touch.
Then, although many of you volunteered to make monthly donations to support us, it was quite long haul with the Bank to get the standing order mandate form sorted out and approved. But everything has now been agreed and we will shortly be sending out the forms. Hopefully you will still be feeling generous!
The good news is that we have had numerous enquiries from apprentices, interested in the scheme, and also from master potters, willing to take on apprentices, so the scheme is reaching a wider audience, and we anticipate a steady supply of applications. Where a master potter has not identified an apprentice, we are happy to post details on the website, so hopeful apprentices can get in touch, and see if there is a match. The Trustees are meeting again in March 2010 to decide on the appointment of the next apprentice, the result of which will be posted on the website as soon as a decision has been made. Anyone interested in submitting an application should do so now!
The current team - Master potter Jeremy Steward and apprentice Sheila Herring - are working out very well, and their latest communication is posted on the website, so log on and see how they are getting along. We must also congratulate Jeremy and Petra, who have just had a beautiful baby boy, Sidney.

Talking about the Trustees, just in case you don't know who they are:
Lisa Hammond - potter
Phil Rogers - potter
Yo Thom - potter
Phil Rhodes - Chartered Accountant
Graham Jenner - Financier

It is likely that the Charity will be looking for more Trustees during the forthcoming year, and would be looking to fill the identified skill gaps, so if you know of anyone specialising in Marketing, public relations, finance and law, please ask them to get in touch with their CV's. It is a voluntary role, but very rewarding!
We will have our Adopt-a-Potter stall at a number of exhibitions this year throughout the country, and will be running either raffles, auctions or a tombola, or just selling the apprentice mugs and our limited edition T Shirts, so if you see us, come and say hello.
In the mean time, if you have something you want to say, or any constructive comment for us, please get in touch by email on Mazehill.pottery@virgin.net

Regards
Lisa Hammond