A pottery tradition stretching back more than 70 years is beginning a new chapter at Land of Iron.

Established in 1954, Wold Pottery was later entrusted to potter Jill Christie, who ran its familiar shop and workshop in Loftus for more than two decades. Jill now continues to make pottery from her studio in Brotton—and a selection of her distinctive work is available in the Land of Iron shop.

From the Yorkshire Wolds to East Cleveland

Wold Pottery was founded near Beverley in 1954 by potter Aidan Dixon—its original location close to the Yorkshire Wolds giving the pottery its name.

Jill began an apprenticeship with Aidan in 1973, learning the fine throwing and decorating techniques that became signatures of Wold Pottery. When he retired in 1985, Jill took over the name and continued its traditions, while gradually introducing new colours, forms and designs of her own.

More than two decades in Loftus

Jill brought Wold Pottery to Loftus in 2004, opening its shop in a nineteenth-century former butcher’s shop in the Market Place.

The building offered more than a place to display and sell pottery. Its substantial workspace gave Jill room to create her own work, while the shop also brought her into contact with customers and other artists and makers from across the area.

After selling the premises in 2025, Jill moved Wold Pottery to a private studio at her home in Brotton. She now describes herself as semi-retired—but retirement has not stopped her making.

“I still love making pots, so I have to make them.”

Made at the wheel

Jill works with red earthenware clay, throwing her pots by hand on the potter’s wheel.

Their distinctive bands of earthy green, brown, blue and white are created using brushed slip decoration. Liquid clay is applied while each pot is still turning, creating the flowing lines and spirals associated with Wold Pottery.

Inspired by the moors and coast surrounding her studio, Jill produces practical domestic pieces including mugs, jugs, bowls and kitchenware, alongside individual decorative pieces.

A new home at Land of Iron

With the Loftus shop now closed, Land of Iron provides a new local home where people can discover Jill’s work.

Our shop now holds a changing selection of handmade Wold Pottery, from mugs and bowls to jugs, vases and other practical and decorative pieces.

Jill has also helped to introduce work by several other local artists and craftspeople to the museum shop. Their work spans jewellery, textiles, cards and other handmade pieces, reflecting what Jill describes as the “huge amount of artistic talent in this area”.

Jill is also a member of Brigantia, a collective of artists, artisans and designers from across North Yorkshire. Members of Brigantia will be bringing an even wider range of work to Land of Iron for a special week-long event in December, with further details to be announced soon.

Celebrating local creativity

Jill has also been joined by several other artists and makers who are now selling their work at Land of Iron.

The growing collection reflects the variety of creative work being produced within our surrounding communities—from pottery and jewellery to textiles, cards and other handmade pieces.

As Jill told us: “There is a huge amount of artistic talent in this area.”

By creating space for local makers, the Land of Iron shop can celebrate that talent, introduce it to new audiences and support the people continuing to make distinctive work across East Cleveland.

Discover local craftsmanship

Visit the Land of Iron shop to discover Wold Pottery and work by other artists and makers from our surrounding communities.

More information about Brigantia’s visit to Land of Iron will be published shortly.

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Land of Iron’s programme of events and activities is made possible thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players.

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