Stallworthy, Hazlemere

by **NaomiM** Fri Jul 30, 2021 2:43 am

Sharing this with the owner's permission. Not sure if it should be in Studio or British Pottery. It was a short-lived enterprise based in Haslemere, Surrey. Known as Hammer Vale Pottery Works it was run by Radley Young and William Stallworthy in Shottermill between 1901 and 1911.
They ask that if any one has any further info it would be greatly appreciated by them and the local museum.

Surrey Gazette newspaper article 2017 wrote:A volunteer at Haslemere Museum has undertaken a research project and is asking for the public’s help.

Tim Winter is appealing for information from anyone who knows more about Hammer Vale pottery. It was located in Hammer Lane and was started in 1901 by William Wilson Stallworthy – whose father was the local Congregational Church minister – along with James Radley Young, a highly skilled potter from Poole in Dorset.

Pottery produced at Hammer included vases, candlesticks, bowls, jugs and tiles and terra-cotta gardenware as well as novelty items including model pigs glazed in various colours.

Green pots with a metallic iridescent glaze, similar to jugs and ewers made at Farnham, were also made at Hammer Pottery.

A fine example of pottery clearly marked ‘Stallworthy, Haslemere’ is currently on display in ‘The Rustic Renaissance – Haslemere’s Arts and Crafts Heritage’ exhibition at the museum.

The pottery was sold in local shops including Charman & Hatch in Haslemere High Street as well as more widely through agents in Sussex, Hampshire, Dorset, Oxfordshire and London.

However, the pottery had a rather short life. By 1906, Radley Young had returned to Poole, and then, in late 1911, W W Stallworthy, together with his wife, left Hammer and travelled to New York, sailing from Southampton on board the RMS Olympic.

The captain was E J Smith, who only five months later had commanded the Titanic on her fateful voyage in April 1912.

During the First World War, Mr Stallworthy served with the Canadian Army, and his wife, Letitia, returned to live in Headley Down in 1933.

Haslemere Museum is asking anybody who knows anything about the pottery or the Stallworthy family to get in touch.

“Perhaps you have an old photograph showing the pottery buildings in Hammer Lane? Or maybe a family member in the past has talked about the old pottery – or indeed even worked there?” said a spokesman.

“If you have any information – no matter how small – do please get in touch with Haslemere Museum directly on 01428 642112 or by email to collections@haslemeremuseum.co.uk”