” The CPA in their one man non- selective exhibitions are giving lesser known artists the opportunity to show their productions. Such an exhibition was recently held of the work of Denis Moore and Michael Buckland partners in a a thriving pottery at East Horsley in Surrey” ( Ceramic Review)
It was recognised during the mid fifties that there was a growing interest in studio pottery thanks to a large extent by the promotion and influential book by Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada. A number of potteries were being set up around the country many of which are still in operation today.
Denis, among other potters felt that they needed a central organisation where new and experimental potters could showcase their work. At that time there was no coordinated effort to continue to promote and sell their wares both in this country or abroad.
In 1956 a working party was set up through the auspices of the Rural Industries Bureau. In July of that year a meeting was held in the room where a display of pottery was shown and an exchange of views were put forth with regard to forming an association to help find ways to sell and display work. Everyone agreed that an association was wanted and that a commitee or working party should be set up.
” This meeting resolves to set up a working party to investigate ways and means of increasing home and overseas trade for small potteries through permanent display in London.”
The working party that was set up included Denis Moore, Ms E Pincombe of the Oxshott pottery, Mr Murray Fieldhouse the Pottery Quarterley Assessor and Rosemary Wren also of the Oxshott Pottery. They agreed to meet in September and thus the Craftsmen Potters Association was formed.
In an appreciation of Denis Moore after his death in 1977 Rosemary Wren wrote: ” Denis became an active member of the commitee and enjoyed the companionship of other members of other potters and it put Greendene Pottery on the map.
Quoting here what Rosemary Wren wrote: “Few people can imagine all the hard thinking, energy, enthusiasm and sheer slogging work involved in the days when the CPA was young”
The issue, in particular in the mid fifties was the imposition of purchase tax on household goods that was causing problems to which exporting under licence was the theoretical answer and William Lipton, marketing manager at the Rural Industries Bureau an organisation that promoted mostly rural industries, set up the the meeting with the potters to discuss ways to help.
Rosemay Wren again:
” Thirty eight potters came to the initial meeting: none of us previously, could have met so many kindred spirits at once before.”
An exhibition of pots was arranged at their head quarters in Wimbledon, which attracted visits from thirty overseas buyers. The entire exhibition was sold to a New Zealand store and a repeat asked for by South Africa. A potential market undoubtedly existed in many countries. After this initial help from the bureau, it was up to the potters themselves to form the association.
Premises were purchased in Lowndes Court and business began.
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