Verwood Museum Trust - Dorset UK. (Registered Charity No. 1067952)

The building is the last Pottery Workroom left from an industry which spanned the local heathland over several centuries.   The pottery was highly prized and sold all over the neighbouring counties as well as being exported from the nearby port of Poole which had extensive trading connections, particularly with Newfoundland.

Out of all the British Country Potteries, Verwood Crossroads was the only one to survive to the end without any form of mechanisation.   The contemporary potter and author Andrew McGarva in his recent book "Country Pottery" published by A. & C. Black, describes it as unique in this respect.  It is therefore of national as well as local importance that it be saved as the last example of these potters' working conditions which had remained unchanged for centuries.

A recent survey, carried out by AC Archaeology, on the site of the new car park to the rear of the building uncovered a wealth of material, some dating to pre-1790.   Their information sheet dated 8th August 2000 says that "Finds from the site will be deposited in the Priest's House Museum, Wimborne, but it is hoped that if the Heathland Museum is developed at the site then some of the vessels will be displayed in the town".
 

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For offers of help etc. then please contact :-  Miss Ann Page (Secretary)  on  +44 (0)1202 822658.               
Copyright © 2010 Verwood.org - Last modified: April 25, 2010