Intensive research by Andrew Barker has revealed that the Tor Vale Pottery was probably established as early as 1908, by Andrew’s great grandfather John Barker (1867-1943).  John Barker, a Yorkshireman, was an artisan of the Torquay Potteries, and a former Head Designer/Decorator at Aller Vale.  He then worked with Charles Collard in Dorset, before moving to Pountneys in Bristol in 1906 as Head Decorator.  Barker then returned to Torquay in 1908 and there is documentation to show that he set up partnership with Enoch Staddon and Herbert Lewis Parish to start the small pottery works that was known as the Tor Vale Pottery.  In 1909 they took over the by now defunct Torquay Terracotta Co. works at Hele Cross, but the partnership soured and ended on May 17th 1910. John Barker carried on at Tor Vale , later with Camille Lamy, and Tor Vale changed to a Company in 1912.  

Tor Vale specialised in pottery decorated with comical stylised cats, Devon Witches, Cottages and Jacobean Roses, as well as experimenting with some avant-garde designs.  In 1915 it is believed that Nicholas Strick, the Company Secretary, had lost most of the Company money, and the Tor Vale Pottery ceased to be in March 1915. 

Pottery marks and backstamps of this pottery as well as over 250 other Torquay, Devon and West Country potteries can be found in the TPCS Marks Book

Pottery marks and backstamps with dates and more information for this pottery as well as over 250 other Torquay, Devon and West Country potteries can be found in the TPCS Marks Book see ‘Products for Sale’.

We welcome many more pictures of this pottery for display on this site. If you would like to send some of your favourites from your collection please send them, or any comments,  to info@torquaypottery.info

Many Thanks

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