Clarice Cliff Feature Articles

DIRECTIONS TO THE CLARICE CLIFF SHARD RUCK NEAR THE FORMER SITE OF NEWPORT POTTERY STOKE-ON-TRENT by TERRY ABBOTTS & DOREEN MANN

I thought that one sunny day this summer, some of our Clarice Cliff collectors might like to make a day trip of visiting the former site of the Newport Pottery works and spend a few happy hours digging in the old shard ruck.  So I’ve enlisted the help of local historian Terry Abbotts and together we’ve assembled a page of information – where it is, what-to-take-etc.  Terry has also produced a map and some photographs of the shards he’s already found – and you can even play a game called “Name That Pattern”.  From an idea conceived by Doreen from an enquiry from year-long collector Mark Wood, and considerable assistance from Terry Abbotts.  The late Dave Wallets was a very special friend of Terry's.  He often used to ride his bike down to the Trent and Mersey canal and tell the 'Clarice Cliff story' to the many holidaymakers on the narrowboats.  Hope you all enjoy yourselves, and if any of you discover some marvellous ‘finds’ please post them on the ‘shard ruck’ theme on the forum.

DIRECTIONS

Turn off the M6 motorway at junction 15.  Follow the A500 (known locally as the ‘D’ road) for FIVE MILES through Stoke/Hanley, and then take the A5271 turn off Tunstall/ Burslem.  At the top, turn right by the roundabout and right again at the next roundabout to Middleport /Burslem. After a quarter of a mile, turn right into NEWPORT LANE. Follow for another quarter of a mile to the end which is a cul-de-sac where you can park on waste ground. 

Walk down the steps by the bridge and turn left onto the tow path.  After a few hundred yards you will be opposite a new block of flats called "WINDSOR COURT" and can view the commemorative plaque on the front, which is the site of the original Newport Factory.  Behind you are wooded slopes where waste pottery has been dumped for many years.  You must take great care if you wish to look for Newport shards on these steep slopes.

Additional note:  Unfortunately the exact area of the shard tip is almost lost due to excessive tree and shrub growth, plus a considerable amount of broken pottery has toppled down onto the steep slopes on the area concerned.  This pottery is from the main tip which lies above and alongside "THE CLARICE CLIFF SHARD TIP".  It is quite difficult when entering the shrubs alongside the towpath.  Great care must be taken when digging for any ORIGINAL Clarice Cliff shards, e.g. Stout shoes, gloves and a strong small trowel are ‘a must’. ‘Good Luck’.

Photo 1 caption: A large plaque of shards by the late Dave Wallett, local historian, who was one of the originals who discovered the Shard Ruck, and who intoduced Terry into the filming of the of the Bizarre shop before it was demolished.

Photo 2 caption:Crocus shards which Terry has left untouched just as he found them with the dried soil left on the surfaces

Photo 3 caption: A collection of shards which Terry has amassed over several years......... 'Cliffies' can have a 'go' at naming all the patterns!

Photo 4:  Map (left hand page)

Photo 5: Map (right hand page)

Terry Abbotts and Doreen Mann