SHARPE'S POTTERY CENTRE

   Sharpe's Pottery Heritage and Arts Trust Ltd

The Trust was formed in 1999 as a strong working partnership between the public and voluntary sectors, initially to take a 125 year lease of the Sharpe's Pottery buildings. It is a partnership of the South Derbyshire District Council and four well established community groups needing accommodation with greater community access. By coming together in this way, it is hoped that "the whole will be greater than the sum of the parts".

Our aim is to encourage wider participation in the arts and exploration of the rich cultural heritage of South Derbyshire and the surrounding area.

By strengthening community pride, a contribution will be made towards making South Derbyshire a better place to live, work and visit, thereby helping to secure the economic future of the area.

Pictured right is 'Moira Cathedral', painting courtesy of Colin Stevens BA hons
Morph Group of Contemporary Artists.

The Priority

The Trust's first and most significant project was the rescue of the Sharpe's Pottery site and buildings in Swadlincote for conversion into a community heritage and arts resource and visitor centre.

The Outreach Strategy

The purpose of the outreach strategy is to ensure that heritage and arts opportunities are advertised and made available to people throughout the area. There are a number of ways in which the outreach strategy is being pursued:

• Small grants to local heritage and arts groups. For information, contact the Heritage Officer, South Derbyshire District Council, telephone: 01283 595936
  
  
• Technical support is available to community heritage and arts groups to help in setting up, business planning and funding applications
  
  
• Internet access and the production of digitised material is being developed by the Trust and its partner organisations
  
  
• Study materials and educational visit opportunities are to be made available to schools, in liaison with the Environmental Education Officer, South Derbyshire District Council, telephone 01283 595776
  
  
• The Trust's partner organisations (and in time, the Trust itself) undertake to give talks and produce exhibition programmes for venues across the District

We shall encourage development of a network that will embrace the many heritage and arts groups already existing in the area, thereby enabling a mutual sharing of research and material. We believe that this will contribute to a growth in the number of people who want to explore and celebrate the history and culture of their communities.

A 'Friends of Sharpe's Visitor and Resource Centre' organisation is being developed. 'Friends', armed with spades, shovels and brooms, gave help with site clearance in the early stages and a 'Friend' has produced this website. There are new and different ways for anyone interested to be involved with the work of the Trust including:

• educational initiatives
• suggestions for further uses and functions for the Centre
• fund-raising activities
• marketing and publicity
• volunteer staffing now that the Centre is operational
• collection of district-wide reference books
• collection of historical material relating to the pottery
• helping to develop and deliver talks and exhibitions

The Trust has been elected to Associate Membership with the East Midlands Museum Service.

If you would like to know more about the Trust, which is a Registered Charity, please write to:

Mr John Oake, Chairman
Sharpe's Pottery Heritage and Arts Trust Ltd
Sharpe's Pottery Centre
23 West Street
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 9DG

Other sites which may be of interest:

Derby Museums.
East Midlands Museum Service.
Shell Better Britain Campaign - Information for local groups and a means to share ideas with others.