Syl & Ray Macro, Alston Pottery, Blackfriars Pottery, Gallery 1611, Cumbria

by **climberg64** October 25th 2011, 10:19 pm

Syl & Ray Macro, Alston Pottery, Blackfriars Pottery, Gallery 1611, Cumbria P1000552

These vases are made in a mould with coloured clay to make the North Pennine landscapes.

by **climberg64** October 26th 2011, 2:54 pm

Syl & Ray Macro, Alston Pottery, Blackfriars Pottery, Gallery 1611, Cumbria P1000559

This is better. It conjures exactly the views around Alston on a wet and wintery day. Syl Macro and her husband have a gallery there which exhibits and sells work by a number of ceramicists.

It is stoneware. Made in two moulds by layering differently coloured and textured clays. In appearance, it reminds me of Ewen Henderson's earlier work when he used different types of clay and porcelain.

by **denbydump** November 9th 2017, 10:38 pm

A pretty jug with "SM" incised.

Alston Pottery established in 1974 by Walter Storey. Syl Macro was there 1990-94. Still in operation under the name Walter T. Storey.

Syl & Ray Macro, Alston Pottery, Blackfriars Pottery, Gallery 1611, Cumbria 100_3628

Syl & Ray Macro, Alston Pottery, Blackfriars Pottery, Gallery 1611, Cumbria 100_3629

by **denbydump** November 10th 2017, 10:57 pm

The book shows a "Sue Sharp" Alston pottery Cumbria.
Another potter, or an unrelated coincidence?

by **NaomiM** November 10th 2017, 11:29 pm

It's Syl Macro's label and mark from 1990-94.
Sue Sharp is currently based in Alston but her work is very different; bright glazes and she signs her name.

by **denbydump** September 2nd 2018, 1:19 pm

Blackfriars pottery, Newcastle. The BSPM book says 1985-95, so before Alston.

Syl & Ray Macro, Alston Pottery, Blackfriars Pottery, Gallery 1611, Cumbria 100_3837

Syl & Ray Macro, Alston Pottery, Blackfriars Pottery, Gallery 1611, Cumbria 100_3838

Syl & Ray Macro, Alston Pottery, Blackfriars Pottery, Gallery 1611, Cumbria 100_3839

by **NaomiM** November 10th 2020, 6:37 pm

Syl Macro, Blackfriars Pottery, Newcastle. 1985-97

This SM stamp was used by Syl Macro on Alston Pottery wares and and at Blackfriars Pottery. It may also have been used by Walter Storey at Alston Pottery as it's WS when turned upside-down. Walter Storey started Alston Pottery in 1974; Syl Macro ran it for a time in the early 90s.