A new pottery workshop in York offers fun for all ages

IF TV challenge show The Great Pottery Throw Down has left you yearning for a spin of the wheel then look no further than Bish Bash Pot.

This is the pottery studio just opened by Angela Collinson, a former art teacher and mum of two.

Situated in a bright, sunny, space on Walmgate, Bish Bash Pot offers creative adults and children a place to come and have some fun.

There is a small soft play area and a cafe selling drinks and snacks.

Visitors can decorate a selection of ready made pieces such as cups, plates, bowls, teapots or animals, in paints of their choice. These are later dipped in glaze and fired in the kiln at the rear of the building, to be collected later.

People can also have a go at throwing their own pots at regular pottery wheel sessions, which will be pre-bookable.

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During the Pottery Wheel Experience, people will have half an hour to have a go, under the instruction of potter Rachael Byass. Whatever they make will be glazed and fired for taking home at a later date, for the price of £35.

Angela says it is great fun. "It is very labour intensive. You have to push the clay without taking it too far or making it too thin. When I did it, I managed to make two pots in the 30 minute session."

Pottery throwing would be suitable for children aged over ten, says Angela.

For younger artists, there is a Messy Makers club running on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.30am to 11.30am aimed at children from six months to five years. The session costs £6 per week and allows the children to get messy with paints.

Angela said: "It's a great way for the children to pick up tactile skills as well as social skills."

Bish Bash Pot also runs pottery painting parties, for children and adults. The venue can be booked for hen events or baby showers.

On Friday May 26, the first Ladies Night will be held, where woman can bring along a bottle of wine or Prosecco and do some pottery painting - only paying for the price of the pot they choose.

Prices start at £9.50 for a smiley animal to £18.50 for a large bowl.

Most pieces can be decorated within an hour, although a teapot requires two coats of paint, advises Angela.

On Saturday, Bish Bash Pot will be hosting an open day, with 40 free plain mugs available to be decorated.

Guest of honour at the opening will hopefully be elderly York resident Muriel Daniels, who was born in the building in 1929.

Angela, who is mum to Verity, two, and Joseph, aged 11, says setting up her own business has been a good move. "It allows me the freedom to be creative an doffer a service and still be involved in teaching children while looking after my own children."

And she is delighted to be in Walmgate, which she sees as an up and coming area. "We have seen Fossgate improve dramatically and since the floods, Walmgate is doing the same thing with lots of independent sole traders setting up - and we are just a five minute walk into town."