On a cold Saturday in May enthusiastic members of the Ceramic Study Group went on a clay dig to Red Hill with Mike Kusnik. The Pits were once mined by Bristile but have been abandoned for many years. The clay varies from a fireclay through to a soft brown plastic clay that fires white. We all took samples of the different clays for testing. The pits are still fed by the erosion of rain on the hills but the regrowth of shrubs is now established and it is more difficult to mine the clay. We visited a shale deposit in Toodyay on Lover's Lane (what was Mike thinking?) and continued on to Avon Pottery where we were enthusiastically greeted by Bob Quinn and his wife and shown over his pottery and we were invited to share a large pot of delicious soup - very warming. Bob is hoping to retire in the future when he sells his property. A very good day was had by all.
Claydig at Redhill & Toodyay
RedHill Clay Pit - shrub regrowth
The rain has eroded the hill washing clay deposits into the pit
Concentration of quartz
Collecting clay samples for testing
Several different types of clay are found at Redhill
Negotiating the slippery gravel downhill
Milke's alternative route down hill
Lunch at Avon Pottery
Bob Quinn