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EnglishWhat Is Wey Ceramics Society and Who Should Join?
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Wey Ceramics Society is a membership group for ceramics enthusiasts in Surrey and adjoining counties, open to makers and non-makers alike. If you live in or near Surrey and want to spend time with people who share an interest in clay — whether you throw, sculpt, teach, or simply enjoy ceramics — it is worth considering. Membership costs £25 a year, and joining is handled through the society's "Join the Society" page, where its Data Privacy Policy is also published.
Who the society is for
The society describes its members as people who "enjoy the world of clay." That covers a wider range than a typical studio potters' guild:
- Makers — members who produce domestic, decorative and sculptural ceramics.
- Teachers and professional ceramicists — people working in ceramics who want contact with peers.
- Enthusiastic amateurs — hobbyists building skills and confidence.
- Non-making enthusiasts — people with a general interest in ceramics who do not actively make work.
The last group matters. The society explicitly welcomes members who appreciate ceramics without producing it, so you do not need a wheel, a kiln or a portfolio to belong.
Who should join — and who might not
| Your situation | A good fit? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You make pots or sculpture in Surrey or a neighbouring county | Yes | Demonstrations, exhibitions and exchange of practice |
| You teach ceramics or work professionally | Yes | Peer contact and access to demonstrations by other potters and sculptors |
| You are a beginner or keen amateur | Yes | Low annual fee and a friendly, mixed-level group |
| You love ceramics but do not make | Yes | The society welcomes non-making members |
| You want a structured, qualification-based course | Probably not | The society is a membership and events group, not a training programme |
| You live far from Surrey and cannot attend events | Think carefully | The value is largely in in-person friendship, demonstrations and exhibitions |
What membership gives you
The society lists five reasons to belong:
- Friendship — a social group built around a shared interest.
- Exchange of views and practice — comparing techniques and approaches with other members.
- Access to demonstrations by other potters and sculptors.
- Taking part in exhibitions — a route to showing work publicly.
- A low annual membership fee of £25.
The fee is the only cost the society states. It does not publish separate charges for individual events, so if cost matters to you, ask about any event fees when you enquire about joining.
The events calendar
The society runs a programme of demonstrations and hands-on firing events across the year. Its published dates for 2024/2025 and 2026 include:
- Pit Pot Prep — 11 August
- AGM — September
- Pit Firing Event — 19–20 September
- Workshop with Pascale Wilson — 25 October
- Raku Firing — 31 October
- Other demonstrations throughout the year
Two things stand out for anyone deciding whether to join. First, the programme mixes preparation sessions with the events themselves — pit firing, for example, involves making or preparing pots beforehand, so participation is more than turning up on the day. Second, the range of firing methods (pit firing and raku alongside demonstrations) suggests members get exposure to techniques beyond standard electric-kiln work.
How to join
- Go to the society's website at weyceramics.co.uk.
- Open the "Join the Society" page.
- Read the Data Privacy Policy published there before submitting your details.
- Complete the joining process described on that page and pay the £25 annual fee.
The site does not publish an online payment platform or a list of accepted payment methods, so confirm payment arrangements through the contact details on the site rather than assuming an online checkout.
A practical way to decide
If you are unsure, treat the events list as a trial run: attend a demonstration or firing event as a visitor if the society allows it, and see whether the group's mix of professionals, teachers and amateurs suits you. For makers, the exhibition opportunity and technique demonstrations are the clearest draw; for non-makers, the friendship and exchange of views are the point. At £25 a year, the commitment is small — the real question is whether you can get to events in Surrey and the surrounding counties often enough to take part.