insideKENT Magazine Issue 29 - August 2014 | Page 12

NEWS

TRACEY CROUCH MP REFLECTS ON
AYLESFORD POTTERY VISIT
It's not every day you welcome an MP to
your workplace, but on 20th June this year,
master potters, Alan Parris and Billy Byles of
Aylesford Pottery, did just that. Here,
Conservative MP for Chatham and Aylesford,
Tracey Crouch, reflects on the growth of
Kent's craft-based businesses, and more so,
her recent visit to the prized pottery.

So, I was delighted to recently visit one of
the few remaining commercial craft studio
potteries in the South East, Aylesford Pottery.
Located within my constituency, in the
beautiful grounds of Aylesford Priory just
outside of Maidstone, this Kent-based
business is run by two master potters, Alan
Parris and Billy Byles.

I never cease to be amazed at the sheer
volume and variety of small-to-medium craftbased businesses found in Kent. Not only
does their produce add to the quality of life
for everyone, but they also add to the
employment base of the county.

This duo's pottery can be divided into three
main areas: firstly, there is the kitchen and
garden ware, which follows the traditional
English craft theme; then commercial
commissions, often coming from architects
working on historic buildings; and finally, there
is the Aylesford School of Ceramics.

Working in a very competitive environment,
they need to innovate and adapt to changing
market demands. We are very lucky in Kent
to have two very strong organisations to
support these businesses, which are Visit
Kent and Produced in Kent. Together they
work closely with local councils and the
county council.
Visit Kent is responsible for promoting Kent,
with tourism one of Kent’s largest employers,
supporting over 63,000 jobs. The visitor
economy is now worth £3.2 billion a year to
Kent. Produced in Kent is dedicated to
championing local food, drink and products.

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Aylesford Priory is one of the most beautiful
settings in Kent. On entering the grounds,
you pass restored 17th-century barn houses,
which then leads to the oldest building in the
complex, Pilgrims’ Hall. Dating back to the
late 13th century, it once served as a hospice
for pilgrims on their way to Canterbury.
Tracey Crouch, MP for Chatham and
Aylesford
www.aylesfordpottery.co.uk