Haringey Potter Participants

I never thought making pots and ceramics could be this much fun and so straightforward.

Hopefully the rebuilding of the Roman Kiln instigates a new wave of people taking an interest in Pottery, at Highgate Wood. I’m thinking of checking out Pottery courses in the future myself.

It was really fun being outdoors the whole time, in such a nice wood, getting to know people better and working together on something that other people will see for the next few years and wonder what it was about, and how it was built.

No matter how damaged the kiln might be, I’m pretty sure they can't destruct the base! If the roman kiln can survive 2000 years so can this one!

Thomas

The opportunity of experiencing pottery in its truest form was great, there were no machines and the clay was fresh from the soil of the earth. This unique aspect caused the activity to hold great significance.

I was uncertain about working outdoors but once I began my pottery I was so engaged that the weather became the least of my problems.

My greatest achievement from this experience is that I gained various pottery skills, and I recognise this as a valuable opportunity.

Rebecca

I really enjoyed the project and I'm glad that I took part. It gave me the opportunity to meet new people, try something different and expand my knowledge of the area's local history.

Overall I'd say I that my favourite aspect of the task was making my own pottery, owing to my artistic background, although I enjoyed helping to build the kiln as well.

Claire

Building the kiln was a great deal of fun - we created an entertaining atmosphere. I also enjoyed interacting with the local people around Highgate Wood and answering their questions concerning the project.

Learning to think strategically about reconstructing a Roman kiln was a very rewarding part of this project.

Omar

Read what I said in the award-winning Exposure Magazine: Exposure Magazine - Haringey Potter article (external link)

Kristina

I had a wonderful experience because I learned a lot about the history of clay. Before doing this project I had made a variety of clay pieces, from leather boots to faces that looked like they were found in graveyards, but nothing compared to this.

I was always used to an electric kiln so it was interested to see where it originated from and great to be part of making a kiln. A sensational experience I will never forget!

Khyesha

It has been an incredible experience to be able to recreate a process which was taking place on this site nearly 2000 years ago. We’ve all learned a great deal about building and using a Roman kiln… the project has made the subject accessible and fascinating for everyone.

Jennifer

Throughout the two weeks of the project, I’ve had a great practical experience learning about how Roman kilns were made... overcoming different obstacles in the process of building to ensure that our kiln would work.

I have also learned some of the skills required to make a pot by hand, and to see it fired successfully.

Mathew

Haringey Potter was interesting, fun and relaxing. Learning about Roman pottery was quite different for me but the amount of knowledge I gained from the 2 weeks on site was immense. Being in the Woods was stress-relieving and it brought back my youth.

Knowing I recreated something that the Romans did gave me a feeling of great achievement. Just being a part of this community event felt very rewarding and I would love to do something like this again.

Nathalie

This was my first exposure to the experimental side of archaeology. Although frustrating at times it was a great deal of fun to build the kiln and to fire our pots.

The project has given me a much clearer vision of where I want to take my career in Archaeology when I finish my degree.

Tom