Mr. Leach prefers to throw with a stiff body, high in
silica content, but advises that an aluminum wheel head
should not be used as a stiff body (stoneware or perce-
lain)will not adhere. A wood or steel wheel head is
onaterable. He also enjoys using a kick wheel when
throwing large pieces or porcelain. No reason was given
for this, but one can speculate on the reasons. The
remainder of the day was spent watching Mr. Leach throw
bowls, tea pots, ginger jars, goblets, small covered pots,
lids, spouts and a bottle form (which was to demonstrate
how to join two forms together).

Onee these forms had been thrown and covered to prevent
the forms from drying too quickly overnight, we moved over
to the Emily Carr School of Art in order to view a film on
Leach at the Rowerdown Pottery in Devon. Then we adjour-
ned for the day.

Sunday morning began with a much needed coffee. We found
that some of the pieces were far too wet to allow trimming
and it was necessary to dry the pieces in a kiln. Mr.
Leach likes to trim pots in a very firm state. He began
by trimming the smaller forms. This is done by wetting
the rim and placing the form onto a damp wheelhead and
tapping the piece into place. His trimming tool is hand
made from surgicel steel. These steel tools maintain an
edge longer and requires little maintenance. All forms
that have a foot trimmed onto them have a slight nipple in
the centre - he likes the way it looks, Flat bottomed
Pieces are touched up briefly, lids are fitted onto the
bottom piece and trimmed right side up. They are then
placed upside down (inside the bottom piece) and the rim
smoothed if necessary.

Teapots are trimmed in the same manner, the lid is
trimmed in place, knob attached, trimmed and a small

hele is placed in the lid. A small lug can be placed

on the flange of the lid (same side as the hole in order
to facilitate the location of the lug) to prevent the lid
From tipping out of the teapot; the spout is then attached
temporarily in order to mark its place. Fifteen holes are
made with a small fettling knife and the spout secured.

6