[Devongone]

I spent a year in Stoke. It felt like a lifetime.

At the time they had rival gangs of skinheads, one wore pink socks, the other lime green. The chief occupation of both was chasing and if possible beating up students.

Saw Vinegar Joe (Elkie Brooks) and was momentarily happy. Got chased by the skins for about two miles up the never-ending Leek Road.

Pottery isn't all Grayson Perry and Johnny Vegas. There was more to worry about than whether Rose might crack your teapot in the firing.