Welcome to the Ball Clay Heritage Society

The Society was formed in February 2000, to:

further understanding of the history and heritage of clay production, transport and use, particularly in Devon and Dorset;
preserve, conserve and realise that heritage;
further understanding of the geological origin, occurrence, composition, properties and applications of clays, particularly in ceramics, and
assist, collaborate with and provide volunteer support to any trust or organisation established with objects similar or complementary to those of the Society.

More about the Society>

Our Collections

The Society is assembling an important and unique collection of materials relating to Ball Clay. We have a significant collection of artefacts, a large store of archive material, and a range of photographs, films and videos. There is also much important archive material stored at the Devon Record Office.

More about our Collections>

The Ball Clay Heritage Society now has a Facebook Page – take a look and share photos from our archive, up-to-date news, join in conversations – and much more at www.facebook.com/BCHS.2000.

NEWS & EVENTS (Click on title for full details)

Keep up to date on our new Facebook Page
The Ball Clay Heritage Society now has a Facebook Page – take a look and share photos from our archive, up-to-date news, join in conversations – and much more at www.facebook.com/BCHS.2000. s s
Clay HUGS – A gift from the Bovey Basin
Clay HUGS – A gift from the Bovey Basin during Lockdown 2020 by Dr Lu La Buzz HUGS is a special type of clay known only to clay workers in the Bovey Basin. It occurs where two distinct seams of Ball Clay merge together and become one. The clay HUGS […]
2020 AGM POSTPONED
2020 AGM
THE 2020 AGM due to be held on Wednesday 18th March 2020 HAS BEEN POSTPONED because of the risks associated with the Corona Virus The date of the postponed meeting will be notified in due course
The Friendly Clay Wagon
The Friendly Clay Wagon – An introduction by Dr Lu La Buzz This lovingly restored clay wagon has become a popular landmark in Kingsteignton. After many years of underground service, the wagon (which retired in 1999) is now permanently installed on the roundabout at Clay Pits Way. The wagon’s endearing […]
Wild Clay Wednesdays – Summer 2019
Wild Clay Wednesdays – Summer 2019 Review by Dr Lu La Buzz This summer I led a series of creative clay walks at Stover Country Park. They were a huge success. We had plenty of bookings with numbers growing week by week – undoubted proof that people want to learn […]
Chairman’s Annual Report, 2019
BALL CLAY HERITAGE SOCIETY Twentieth Annual General Meeting: 12 March 2019 CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT Welcome to the 20th AGM of the Ball Clay Heritage Society. As usual I would like to update you with what the Society has been doing over the last twelve months. The General Committee met […]
Haytor Granite
“Haytor Granite” by Stuart Drabble At the 2019 AGM, Stuart Drabble, former bursar of Stover School, gave a very interesting talk based on his important new book “Haytor Granite” that was published in January. The book describes the businesses set up by George Templer of Stover and his successors to produce the […]

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