Ceramics, pots and markets

Loughborough Ceramics Market 2021

A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to be able to go into town and visit the annual ceramics market. I say annual, but of course there wasn't one held in 2020. So this one in May 2021 was a special one for many reasons. The market was held in the market place, where the traditional Thursday and Saturday market, and the Friday vintage market, and the monthly Wednesday farmers' market takes place. The markets and fairs are celebrating their 800th anniversary this year.

Talking of the Thursday market, back in September 1853, there was a report in the Nottinghamshire Guardian of an event that happened on August 25th. The headline was:

Battle of the Pots

And the report was as follows:

"The Loughborough market place last Thursday was truly the theatre of war and bloodshed. The rival pot-sellers, Johnson and Taylor, have for some time carried their opposition to a great height, but last Thursday, it appeared, that words were insufficient for the auctioneers to express contempt, they had for each other, and consequently recourse was had to the 'exchange' of merchandize - plates, cups, and saucers, and various other articles, were flying about in all directions to the amusement of some and the terror of others, till the blood began to trickle down the faces of the combatants profusely. The war one would think was hot enough at this period, but Taylor's establishment, no doubt thinking an advantage might be gained by coming to close quarters, made a charge upon their opponent's swords (or pots) in hand, and erected their standard on the works of the enemy, causing their chief to fly for medical aid. As the belligerent parties cannot agree as to the terms of peace we hear the magistrates will have to propose an 'ultimatum for their adoption on the day (Thursday)."

The following week, the same newspaper reported on the Petty Sessions which were held at Loughborough before C.W.Packe, Esq., MP, and E.Dawson, Esq., and at which the battle between John Taylor and John Stinson was judged.

"John Taylor, of Loughborough, was charged with assaulting John Stinson, on the 25th August. Mr Ingelsant appeared with defendant. For several weeks past complainant and defendant have attended Loughborough market as rival pot sellers; both sell their wares by auction, and articles for which they cannot gain a bidder, they not unfrequently throw amongst the bystanders. On the day in question, Taylor threw away some saucers, some of which fell amongst Stinson's wares and broke them. Complainant and his assistants retaliated, and a 'shower of pots' was the result, to the amusement of the spectators. After the charge had been maintained on both sides for some time, Taylor jumped from his rostrum, and making his way to Stinson, struck him with half a dozen he had in his hands. Stinson immediately closed with his antagonist, and in the scuffle both fell bleeding upon the ground. The bystanders then separated them, and while Stinson went to a surgery to have his wounds dressed, Taylor remounted his rostrum and commenced 'knocking down' his ware to persons whom the affray had attracted to the spot.

Mr Ingelsant addressed the magistrates in defence, stating that the saucers of Taylor's which first fell amongst Stinson's ware, were not thrown with an intention to fall there, but as presents to the persons standing around to induce them to bid more spiritedly, and that Stinson and his assistants were the first to throw with a malicious intention. It was one of those unfortunate cases which verified the adage 'two of a trade cannot agree' and if the magistrates should think it necessary to convict, he (Mr I.) would suggest the propriety of binding both over to keep the peace. 

Taylor was convicted and fined 10s. and costs, or 14 days' imprisonment. Taylor was further charged with assaulting a lad of Stinson's, named John West, who said when Taylor had struck Stinson, he turned round and struck him also. As the lad's evidence was not confirmed by any of the numerous witnesses, the case was dismissed."

Blimey!!! So, I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that the 2021 ceramics market went off peacefully, and no pots were thrown - at least not while I was visiting!!! There were all manner of ceramics available to purchase, both practical things and ornamental things. You can see photos off the 2018 event in an earlier blogpost, and below are a few photos from the 2021event:

Posted by lynneaboutloughborough 23 May 2021

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Dyer, Lynne (2021). Ceramics, pots and markets. Available from: https://lynneaboutloughborough.blogspot.com/2021/05/ceramics-pots-and-markets.html  [Accessed 23 May 2021]

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