POTTERY & ARCHAEOLOGY TOUR OF SOUTH-WEST ENGLAND

Sunday, May 25th to Friday June 6th, 2008

Travel Arrangements by Port Moody Travel

212 Newport Drive, Port Moody, B.C. V3H 5B9

Isabella Beane -isabella@portmoodytravel.com Tel: 604-933-2200

Toll free 1-800-776-2621

Led by Alan and Gillian McMillan

Dear Travellers:  

We are offering an exciting holiday in England (and south Wales) again. Mainly of interest to potters but with lots of walks and archaeology for non-potters, we have put together a comfortable drive through really pretty countryside with stops at fascinating ancient sites, pottery studios and Fine Craft galleries through the counties of the 'West Country'.

Gillian's fond memories of frequent return visits to her homeland led to the idea of taking potters and others to see this area which is rich in pottery tradition. Over the years we have found that the country roads need careful navigating and a good map. We hope to take away the concerns of renting a car and driving on the other side on narrow roads by leaving that up to a knowledgeable English bus driver. We have drawn up a happy combination of ancient sites and beautiful scenery to photograph, with informative visits to museums, the best of fine crafts to see and buy and almost daily opportunities to meet well-established potters in their studios.

Port Moody Travel has found us good quality hotels. The timing just before high season eases the cost and in most cases having dinner included is cheaper for a group than having breakfast only. The more affordable price for this holiday is dependent on 14 registrations.

So, if you would like to join us please contact us or Port Moody Travel right away so that we can confirm reservations at the hotels.

The weather in England in late May and early June is usually mild. Take a sweater and raincoat, and hope that you don't need either!

Alan and Gillian

ABOUT THE LEADERS:

Alan McMillan was born in Saskatchewan, earning his first degree there, his MA from UBC and a PhD in Archaeology from Simon Fraser University. He has taught at Douglas College and at SFU for many years, offering courses in Archaeology, Native Studies, and NW Coast Native Art. He also directs archaeological excavations, usually in Nuu-chah-nulth territory on western Vancouver Island, and has written five books and numerous articles on his research. He has led archaeological tours to various locations, particularly in British Columbia. On trips to Europe he has found his interest lies in finding ancient archaeological sites - Minoan civilization in Crete, cave art sites in France and Neolithic and Bronze Age circles and tombs in England. Ruins are more interesting than stately homes and gardens!

Gillian McMillan was born in Dorset, England and attended Teacher Training College in London. Since 1971 she and her husband Alan have lived in Port Moody, near Vancouver. While he was teaching or leading archaeological investigations in the summers, and while their two boys were growing up, she became a potter. Gillian studied pottery at Douglas (now Kwantlen) College and later at Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design. She has taught pottery and decorating with coloured slips all around the lower mainland. Gillian's work can be found in galleries on Granville Island and in numerous private collections. Over the years she has made many trips back to England, always visiting potters and craft galleries. When Alan has accompanied her they have sought out many ancient archaeological sites, particularly in the West Country.


PROPOSED ITINERARY:

DAY 1: Sun., May 25

Most of the day is free time, to rest up from your flight and/ or explore part of this historic city. We suggest a visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum. Later in the day we will meet at our hotel to discuss the tour and have dinner together.

Overnight at the St. Giles Hotel, London. Dinner and Breakfast

DAY 2: Mon., May 26

After breakfast, we board our comfortable coach and depart from London, heading west to Avebury. There we will wander around the impressive Neolithic henge monument (with its large stone ring) and the nearby West Kennet Long Barrow (a Neolithic tomb). We will then visit the pottery studio of Laurence McGowan near Marlborough. After a drive by Stonehenge, we will stop at Old Sarum (with its Iron Age rings and Norman ruins) and go into Salisbury, where we will look at the impressive cathedral.

Overnight at the Mercure White Hart Hotel, Salisbury. Dinner and Breakfast

DAY 3: Tue., May 27

In the morning we will visit the studio of potter Jonathan Garratt in Cranborne, south of Salisbury. Nearby, we will see the Verwood Museum (with traditional Dorset pottery) and the Knowlton Neolithic circle. We will continue to Walford Mill Crafts in Wimborne. We then drive through picturesque Dorset to Dorchester, where we will walk around the impressive Iron Age fortress of Maiden Castle. The day ends with a drive north past the Cerne Giant (a prehistoric figure cut into the chalk hillside) back to Salisbury.

Overnight at the Mercure White Hart Hotel, Salisbury. Breakfast

DAY 4: Wed., May 28

We start the day by driving to Sherborne, where we will visit the Alpha House Ceramics Gallery. Then we head into Somerset, stopping at the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen gallery at Martock, and on to Muchelney, where we will see the medieval abbey and visit the studio of famed potter John Leach. Late in the day we drive to Exeter.

Overnight at the Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel, Exeter. Dinner and Breakfast

DAY 5: Thu., May 29

In the morning we will tour the Royal Exeter Museum in the city centre. Boarding our bus, we head to Bovey Tracey to the Devon Guild of Craftsmen in Riverside Mill. We then will drive through Dartmoor National Park, where we will view the ruins of a Bronze Age village, see an ancient clapper bridge, and visit the Powdermills Pottery, before driving to Plymouth for the evening.

Overnight at Future Inn, Plymouth. Dinner and Breakfast

DAY 6, Fri., May 30

In the morning we will visit the studios of potters John Pollex and Richard Godfrey in Plymouth. We then drive through Cornwall to St. Ives, the home of the Bernard Leach studio. We can walk around this picturesque town in the late afternoon or early evening.

Overnight at Chy-An-Albany Hotel, St. Ives. Dinner and Breakfast

DAY 7, Sat., May 31

A full day in St. Ives takes us to the Tate St. Ives Gallery, the Barbara Hepworth sculpture garden, St. Ives ceramic Gallery, and leaves time to wander around other shops and galleries in this interesting location.

Overnight at Chy-An-Albany Hotel, St. Ives. Dinner and Breakfast

DAY 8: Sun., June 1

After breakfast we drive to Chysauster Iron Age Village south of St. Ives. If time allows we will see the Merry Maidens prehistoric stone circle and the fishing village of Mousehole. We then go to the Cornwall Crafts Gallery at Trelissick and the Mid-Cornwall Gallery near St. Austell and possibly Restormel Castle. Later in the day we will drive across Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor.

Overnight at Two Bridges Hotel, near Exeter. Dinner and Breakfast

DAY 9: Mon., June 2

From Exeter we drive to the nearby Woodbury Studio Gallery (the studio of Tim Andrews). We then head on to the Peat Moors Centre (which interprets the archaeology and geology of the Somerset Levels) near Glastonbury. We will visit the pottery studios of Clio Graham and Mike Dodd in this area. Later in the day we'll see the city of Wells, its cathedral and historic city centre. Clay sculptor Sue Masters has her studio here.

Overnight at Mercure Francis Hotel, Bath. Dinner and Breakfast

DAY 10: Tue., June 3

We will drive out to the studio of Philip Wood near Frome, and the Black Swan Art Gallery and make a brief stop at Nunney Castle. We will spend the rest of the day in Bath to look around the shops, galleries and the Roman Baths in this picturesque city.

Overnight at Mercure Francis Hotel, Bath. Breakfast

DAY 11: Wed., June 4

In the morning we will drive over the Severn Bridge into south Wales. Chepstow Castle, (an impressive early Norman castle) will be our first stop, then on to the ruins of Tintern Abbey. We continue along the scenic Wye Valley to the studio of renowned potter Walter Keeler. Later in the day we drive north on the motorway to Stoke-on-Trent.

Overnight at North Stafford Hotel, Stoke-on-Trent. Dinner and Breakfast

DAY 12: Thu., June 5

We have a full day at "The Potteries" of Stoke-on-Trent, including the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Hanley, the Gladstone Museum (with its historic bottleneck kilns), and the Spode factory and shop.

Overnight at North Stafford Hotel, Stoke-on-Trent. Breakfast

DAY 13: Fri., June 6

In the morning we might still have some time in Stoke-on-Trent, possibly visiting some pottery outlet shops. We then set out on the motorway back to London, stopping roughly mid-way, near Banbury to view the Rollwright Stones (Bronze Age circle) and visit the pottery studio of Richard Phethean. We will have supper en route.

The tour ends in London

Overnight at St. Giles Hotel, London. Breakfast

Tour cost: $3,496.00 Cad. Per person based on 14 participants in twin share accommodations. Should the number of participants drop below 14 it may result in a higher per person cost

Note: This rate is based on the current exchange rate of 2.15. If the exchange rate changes dramatically we reserve the right to add a currency surcharge.

Inclusions:

- 13 nights accommodation in well appointed hotels.

- Breakfast daily and almost all dinners as per itinerary.

- All entry fees to museums and attractions as per the itinerary.

- Overland transportation by private, comfortable 24-seater coach.

Not included:

- International flight from your home city to London, England.
- Transfers between airport and hotel in London.

- Meals not included in itinerary.

- Travel Insurance (medical and/or cancellation).

- Items of a personal nature

Payment policy:

A deposit of $500.00 Cad is required in order to guarantee space on this tour.

Payment can be made by cheque. If you prefer to use Visa or Master card there will be a 2% surcharge.
The balance payment is due January 31^st 2008

Cancellation:

This is a custom made tour and all payments are 100% non refundable. We strongly suggest purchase of Travel Insurance at time of booking.

Medical and Cancellation Insurance is strongly recommended. Please ask for quote at time of booking.

Airfare:

Port Moody Travel will be happy to arrange the most suitable and affordable flights at dates that suit you before and after the tour. Please call Isabella directly to make your arrangements.

Passports:

Valid passport with expiry date of six (6) months past re-entry into your home country is required.

Pottery visits will be confirmed closer to the tour date. In the event it is necessary to make changes to accommodations or the itinerary every effort will be made to substitute with a property or visit of equivilent value to the tour offered.