The history of West Lodge Pottery dates back over 40 years. It was carefully crafted from ‘West Lodge‘ the family home of Tony and Sally Thomas located in the quiet village of Bradfield St George near Bury St Edmunds in the depths of the Suffolk countryside.
West Lodge Pottery relocated to Harleston near Stowmarket in 2003 and then finally settled at Red House Yard in Thornham Magna near Diss in 2017 but still holds true to its original creative vision.
Trained at Central School of Art & Design, Tony spent 40 years perfecting the art of creating unique and individual ceramic pieces. Tony was very much at home producing pottery to his own creative objectives or indeed to working briefs supplied by customers. He was always open to new challenges and ideas. He was a master thrower, glazing technician and firing expert, his technical skill was matched only by his creative flair.
Sally studied at both Wallasey and Ipswich Schools of Art and has since developed her own expertise in the modelling and decorating of all ceramic creations. She is a highly skilled potter specialising in the development of new clay models and moulding techniques. Her eye for detail, pattern and personality adds an amazing finish to all of the pieces and is a major part of making West Lodge Pottery some of the most specialist pottery in the UK.
Sadly, in 2016 Tony passed away after a 3 year battle with Motor Neurone Disease. His untimely passing has left Sally working alone but with a renewed enthusiasm for cementing the West Lodge Pottery legacy and continuing to work in a way which Tony would have endorsed and enjoyed. Sally now focuses her attentions on achieving the best results for her customers working out of her unit in Thornham Magna. On the site of the beautiful Thornham Walks, Sally has a small showroom and working space to which she invites everyone. You can browse the pottery and discuss the process and then enjoy a lovely walk in Suffolks finest natural environment.
