Handcrafted British Heritage: Emma Bridgewater's Timeless Pottery

Hidden Heritage

HeritageXplore

Society & Culture, Arts, History

4.8 • 608 Ratings

🗓️ 19 September 2024

⏱️ 60 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Welcome to Hidden Heritage! Emma Bridgewater, CBE, a renowned designer, businesswoman, and accomplished potter, joins Lady Violet Manners in this episode. Emma entered the pottery business in 1985 and has since become one of the foremost designers of British homeware and one of the UK's most recognisable entrepreneurs.Join us as we explore: Emma's Journey: From her early inspiration to founding one of the largest pottery manufacturers in the UK. British Design and Heritage: How British culture and landscapes have influenced Emma's designs over the years. Manufacturing in the UK: The challenges and opportunities in British manufacturing and Emma's passion for local production. The Future of Emma Bridgewater: Exciting new projects and developments, including collaborations with the next generation. Key Points 00:00:04 - Introduction of Emma Bridgewater and her background in pottery. 00:01:31 - Emma discusses her childhood and early influences. 00:03:12 - The inspiration behind starting her pottery business. 00:05:01 - Emma's first experiences in Stoke-on-Trent and the pottery industry. 00:10:09 - Discussion of the first items produced and early business challenges. 00:15:02 - The history of pottery in Britain and Wedgwood's influence. 00:24:17 - Emma's first destination recommendation: North Norfolk Marshes. 00:27:55 - The influence of British nature and landscapes on Emma's designs. 00:36:50 - Challenges facing British manufacturing and pottery. 00:40:07 - Emma's second destination recommendation: Port Meadow in Oxford. 00:42:29 - New projects and developments at Emma Bridgewater. 00:46:03 - Discussion on sustainability in the pottery industry. 00:51:26 - Emma's favorite tea and toast preferences. 00:54:20 - Emma's third destination recommendation: Offa's Dyke Path. Guest Info Emma Bridgewater, CBE is a British designer and businesswoman who founded the Emma Bridgewater pottery company in 1985. Her company is now one of the largest pottery manufacturers based entirely in the UK, with most products made in the Emma Bridgewater factory in Stoke-on-Trent. About Step inside Britain's greatest Historic Houses, gardens, and family homes through HeritageXplore, your digital gateway to discovering heritage today. Visit www.heritagexplore.com Links and Resources Emma Bridgewater Official Website North Norfolk Coast Port Meadow, Oxford Offa's Dyke Path Stoke-on-Trent Potteries Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Today's episode is brought to you by Charles Russell Speechleys. Charles
0:05.5	Russell Speechleys is an international law firm with a special focus on private capital at the
0:10.5	intersection of personal, family and business interests. With origins dating back to the 1800s, the
0:17.4	firm has a long-standing reputation for building strong, trusted relationships with their clients.
0:23.9	These relationships are crafted to deliver meaningful value and like Charles Russell-Speachlies
0:28.9	are designed to stand the test of time. In a world that is constantly changing,
0:34.3	the steadfast long-term relationships that Charles Russell Speechleys builds with their
0:38.6	clients remains a constant. To learn more about their services and how they can help you, please visit
0:45.4	www.charselspeachleys.com.
0:59.0	Hi, I'm Violet Manners and welcome to Hidden Heritage the podcast.
1:06.3	We bring you inside Great Britain's favourite destinations with help from custodians, historians,
1:08.2	historians, artisans and experts.
1:13.6	This week on the podcast, I am joined by designer, entrepreneur and premier potter Emma Bridgewater CBE. Emma entered the pottery business in 1985 and has since
1:21.6	gone on to become one of the foremost designers of British homeware and one of the UK's most recognisable entrepreneurs.
1:29.3	The company is now one of the largest pottery manufacturers based entirely in the UK,
1:34.3	with most of its products made in the Emma Bridgewater factory in Stoke-on-Trent.
1:39.3	On today's episode, Emma shares the fascinating story behind how her business began.
1:45.0	We discuss what quintessentially British design means, and Emma shares how British heritage
1:50.0	has inspired her designs over the years, and what more can be done to get British-owned
1:55.0	companies and manufacturing back as a growing sector for the future.
2:00.0	Emma also shares her top three destination recommendations.
2:03.9	But before that, let's get to know Emma a bit better.
	...

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