Volunteers sought for Anagama kiln firing

The Anagama Kilns at Wytham Woods are getting ready for the spring firing season. All three kilns – Dragon/Willow, Brick and a new test kiln – will be fired up over the coming months. For anyone who fancies getting involved with this fascinating effort to replicate an ancient and mysterious form of unglazed Japanese pottery in the UK, the Oxford Anagama team are looking for volunteer stokers.

The Dragon/Willow Kiln is now being loaded with wood and will be fired on 20 April. It will reach its highest temperature around 25 April, and unloading is due on 1-2 May. You can sign up to help load it online.

The Brick Kiln, meanwhile, will be loading from 10 May, will be fired up from 17 May, and will reach its top temperature on 25 May. Unloading will happen on 4 June. Again, sign up to help load it online. If you’re a potter, you can also book space for your pots to be fired in the kilns.