Ray Finch (potter)

Finch was a deeply religious man, having converted to Roman Catholicism, and during the Second World War he registered as a conscientious objector, working in the National Fire Service.

The experiments were eventually successful and in 1954 the bottle kiln was fired for the last time, since it was too large and unsuitable for stoneware.

[citation needed] Finch championed the workshop apprenticeship system and under his direction, many potters spent valuable time there including Colin Pearson, Jim Malone, John Leach (Grandson of Bernard Leach) and Gwyn Hanssen Pigott[3] (née John), and Peter Dick.

Finch managed Winchcombe pottery until 1979 when his son, Michael took over the running of the business[4] , but he continued potting until 2011.

Finch was appointed MBE in 1980[5] and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999 at the International Ceramics Festival, Aberystwyth.