[1] The pottery was founded in 1865 in the hamlet of Aller between the village of Kingskerswell and the town of Newton Abbot and had originally produced simple kitchenware.

[2][3] Phillips was influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement and the ideals of William Morris, leading him to set up cottage classes in Kingskerswell and the nearby villages of Abbotskerswell and Coffinswell to teach useful skills to the uneducated young.

Up to 64 young people between the ages of 11 and 23 attended these twice-weekly classes where they learned pottery, wood and stone carving, painting, stitching, embroidery, and ironwork which was taught by the local blacksmith.

[4] The decoration of pottery has given regular employment to a number of young villagers, and the wood carving has brought an order from the Princess Louise for a carved chest… Visitors to our Cottage Art School have been greatly entertained and interested by the bright and merry group of young people who greeted their entrance.In autumn 1889 the 27-year-old Domenico Marcucci came to Aller Vale as one of the chief designers.

[6] Marcucci is thought to be responsible for the introduction of a design of blue slipware scrolls over a cream ground which was admired by Princess Alexandra, who placed a special order for it.

[7] On Phillips's death, Aller Vale was acquired by Hexter, Humpherson & Co., a Kingsteignton-based company that manufactured tiles and sanitary fittings.