During the Second World War, there had been rationing, and austerity measures, one of which effected the ceramics industry’s UK domestic market, restricting it to only making plain glazed pottery. It wasn't until as late as 1952, when they lifted the bans, that colours could fully return to these products.
This new freedom of design coincided with the setting up of the Hillesden group, formed of Derek and Ruth, Eric and Marty and John and Mary Clarke. The latter just married, are the first to move into the Vicarage, while the others still working in London commute up at weekends and when they can.
Photo taken 1953 at the Vicarage. Eric is in the foreground with Ruth and Derek behind, and Marty in the doorway. Mary and John Clarke are on the right.
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