TV presenters Gregg Wallace and Cherry Healey go behind the scenes at Denby Pottery for tomorrow’s episode of Inside The Factory (BBC 2 at 9pm on Wednesday February 2).
“We’re very proud to have been selected to represent the ceramics industry,” states Denby’s corporate affairs manager, Linda Salt. “With mugs an item found in every home, viewers will witness a mug – in this instance, Denby’s best-selling Halo mug – transforming from raw clay all the way through to the finished product.”
Given that each piece of Denby passes through over 20 pairs of hands at the company’s 200-year old Derbyshire pottery – using handcrafting skills passed down through generations – Gregg Wallace had a lot to do, and was guided by Denby’s operations director, Dean Barlow.
“However, with his renowned enthusiasm, Gregg seemed to find the process fascinating and during the episode all goes well until he gets to the glazing department, where he struggles to replicate the skill of the Denby team!” reveals Linda.
During the programme, which follows its normal format, there is a break from Making a Mug at Denby to show Gregg’s fellow presenter, Cherry Healey, visiting the transfer printing room at Burleigh Pottery.
“Burleigh is the last English pottery continuing this traditional and highly skilled decorating process, once widely used in the pottery industry, with Alison Howell, the design development manager at Burleigh, guiding Cherry through the process,” Linda explains.
Denby’s first discussions with the Inside The Factory team, took place back in September 2019. Filming took place over five days in January 2021, observing additional Covid safety protocols.
Following its airing tomorrow (February 2), Inside The Factory’s Making Mugs At Denby Pottery will be repeated on Thursday February 3 on BBC2 at 11.15 pm and will be available on iPlayer.
* Denby is showcasing its mugs and much more at Spring Fair from this Sunday (February 6-9, NEC Birmingham). Highlights include the launch of Kiln – a celebration of British craftsmanship created using a soft calming palette – and James Martin Cook by Denby range.
Top: Inside The Factory’s Gregg Wallce stands in front of a trolley of Denby Halo Mugs during the filming of Making Mugs At Denby Pottery.
