At Upton Bishop: Wonderful Wobage Potters

The Hereford Arts trail (HArt) is a treasure chest of talent waiting to be unearthed. It's an annual event, when the pink boards go up over the county and the public get to delve into hidden artist studios and galleries.

The studios not only reveal some remarkable talent but also some incredible stories that have helped shaped the history of art and continue to do so.

Meet Ben Casson. His family's workshop at Wobage Farm, Upton Bishop is a hive of pottery significance. Ben is a highly distinguished bespoke furniture maker, his upbringing crafted in arts and crafts tradition. His father, the late Michael Casson OBE was one of the great post war British studio potters of our time. Michaels was one of the founding potters of the Craft Potters’ Association. "The Craft of the Potter" devised and presented by Michael Casson, a hugely successful BBC a series. Michael worked hard sharing his talent with others, which after a lifetime of educating and sharing his craft won him the OBE.

Ben Casson shares the studio gallery at Wobage Farm with fellow studio potters and craftsmen and women. A community studio of high regard. His mother Shelia Casson poured a warming cup of tea. The studio itself full of warming tones and warming people. Not unlike, I hear how warm and charismatic Michael was. The quality, seemingly too unusually good to be found up a farm track near Ross. This is a unique hive of talent. A retreat of inspiration amongst the sloped countryside. Quite something else. Visit the website, great artists continuing to influence And shape British art history. X

Also see this picture of Sheila Casson