Joe (Jo) Lester - Isle of Wight and West of England Pottery

Some Jo pots are marked 'Hand Made West of England Pottery'. There is a good reason for this; Jo's unusual approach to expansion. In the 1950s and 60s Jo's work was much in demand, but he didn't want his workshop to grow into a full-blown factory. He hit on the idea of setting up his pupils (call them employees, apprentices or what you will - Jo claims he was never a qualified potter; just an enthusiastic amateur) in remote premises to work under his supervision. After ten years they had the option to buy their part of the business on terms agreed at the start of the period. (So you see there is no truth in the rumour that due to lack of tectonic adhesion the Isle of Wight drifts down towards Cornwall in the night, and has to be towed back in the early hours of the morning by the Isle of Wight ferry.)