Latest business at Marsh Mill Village sees return to craft theme

A pottery studio is helping to keep the craft element alive at Thornton’s Marsh Mill Village.

The small retail community, under the shadow of historic Marsh Mill, was first established in 1979 when shops and cafés were built around the 18th century mill.

Over the years the village has had something of a craft theme, with a number of shops selling a wide variety of wares.

More recently, businesses have ended towards the food and beauty markets, with a number of popular restaurants, including the highly rated Twelve.

But last year, Kelly Monks opened the Koco Pottery Studio, making and selling her own pottery and also offering a variety of evening classes, including six and eight week courses.

She said: “I mostly create mugs, vases and bowls but I make other items as well. Being at the potter’s wheel and making my own pottery is so relaxing, it’s very theraputic.

“The classes are really taking off, so I’m doing more teaching at the moment.

“We’ve seen the success of the Great Pottery Throwdown’ so that has sparked a lot of interest.

“The potters on TV make it look so easy because they’re already very skilled – people are surprised that it is tougher than it may seem, because a lot can go wrong, from the throwing to the rimming and then the firing. But they have a lot of fun along the way.”

Kelly, 49, plans to exhibit at Spring Potfest in the Pens (Penrith) , a festival of ceramics and pottery, which will be taking place in Penrith, Cumbria, on June 5–7.

Wyre Council held a 25-year lease on the historic Grade II listed Marsh Mill in Thornton, which concluded on June 30, 2024.

During that period, the council managed and maintained the 1794 windmill, often opening it as a tourist attraction, before returning it to owner Melrose Development Services Ls, which is landlord to the businesses in he village.

In 1999, the council sold the mill to Melrose Development Services for £1.4 million but leased it back for 25 years to ensure its upkeep and public access.

Wyre Council has historically been a key steward in the preservation of the landmark mill.