Elie & Earlsferry History Society

The Society has recently published two booklets and these are offered for sale at £4.00 each including p&p to UK addresses. They are both in A4 format with colour illustrations.

Please email your order to meacher@lineone.net

Publication No1 - Broomlees Tile Work - compiled by Jim Bell

Publication No2 - Growing up in Earlsferry - compiled by Jim Bell

LATEST RELEASE

 The definitive study of the Kirkcaldy pottery industry has been recorded in a new book, ‘Nine Potteries in Kirkcaldy’ by Jim Bell.

The four major industrial potteries in the town - Links, Sinclairtown, Rosslyn and Fife Pottery - are well represented with extensive detail. New information on the Gallatown Pottery and two unrecorded (until now) potteries are included, as well as two brick and tile works.  Details of the Cupar Pottery, during the period when it was operated by the Methven family from Kirkcaldy, are also noted.

Painstaking research by the author over a period of more than thirty years includes records from census returns, wills, harbour imports and exports, price lists, and contemporary newspaper reports, which are featured as well as maps, drawings, black and white photographs and 12 pages of coloured illustrations. These include rare family pieces such as a cheese dish painted with local views by Karel Nekola and plates by his sons Joe and Carl as well as by Edwin Sandland. Backstamps to identify wares of the different potteries are also illustrated, along with a comprehensive list of the many transfer-printed designs and major wares.

The social history of the pottery workers is also covered with details of their living conditions, strikes, soup kitchens, outings, and recreation.

Author Jim Bell said: “One of my main aims was to avoid introducing my personal opinions, so I set out the facts as I found them and gave my sources. The interpretations are my own, but I leave it to the readers to agree or disagree with my reasonings.”

The 160pp book in A4 format has been published by Fife Pottery Society and costs £10. It is available now from Kirkcaldy Museum, Kirkcaldy Library, Ottakar’s bookshop in Kirkcaldy, direct (plus £2.50 p and p) from the website at www.fifepotterysociety.co.uk or from the author at 01333 330 831.