AN appeal has started to fund the restoration of the 18th century bottle kiln in Winchcombe.

The kiln is possibly the oldest of its type in the country and is the most complete surviving example.

Around £37,000 is needed to restore the kiln.

Matt Grimmitt, who set up the JustGiving page said: “Used to fire everyday country pottery from the late 1700's as part of Becketts Pottery it produced flowerpots, tiles, rhubarb grocers, bowls of various sizes, pots that local people needed in an age before plastic.

"Closed in 1914 but reopened in 1926 by a young Michael Cardew as Winchcombe Pottery the site has been producing pots in a similar manner, pots to use in the home.”

The kiln was last used in 1954, and is part of a larger workshop and farm which has fallen into disrepair.

Mr Grimmitt added: “We need to raise around 40k to have original brickwork replaced and lime mortar pointing being redone over the whole structure to make it safe.”

“This kiln represents a crossover between two worlds and the end of one industry being the country Potteries and the beginning of studio pottery as we know it today.”

At the time of writing, the JustGiving page had reached £605 of its £37,000 target.

To support the appeal, visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/winchcombepotterybottlekiln