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Blowing up first new school of glass craft
From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Thursday 3rd May 2001.
THE first glass blowing school in Britain has been set up in west Wiltshire.
The Liquid Glass Centre is the brainchild of three local businesswomen, Kim Birchall, Katie Rothe and Helga Watkins-Baker.
It teaches students the ancient art of glass blowing, stained glass and kiln- formed glass in a modern studio that uses a furnace to melt molten glass to over 1000 degrees centigrade.
Anyone can take a course at the school, situated at Stowford Manor Farm near Trowbridge, with courses ranging from one day to a full weekend.
"We love teaching more than the production side of making glass," says Katie Rothe. "We've all taught before and all have degrees in glass, as well as plenty of experience as artists in our own right"
The trio were inspired to set up the unique project after going to Seattle in the US to see a successful glass school.
"The idea of glass schools came from America from a man called Dale Chihuly," Ms Rothe said. "He set up a glass school in Washington and brought the idea to Britain in the early 1970s."
The school has so far been given a positive response from the public and people aged from 20 to 60, from as far away Scotland, have come to try out their skills.
Now she hopes that the gradual waning of foot and mouth will bring even more people to the school.
"More people do seem to be coming back to the countryside," Ms Rothe said. "Come this summer we hope to have week-long courses in which people can stay at the school."
Ms Rothe said that pupils may not be able to produce a perfect vase for their mantelpiece by the end of the day, but guarantees that everyone will have a memento to take home.
"Some people pick it up better than others," she said. "But at the very least everyone will have a paperweight.
"The classes have been a cross between sport and intellect. It takes a while to get the movements right but you also need to be quite artistic."
Courses at the Liquid Glass School start at £90. Details can be obtained on (01225) 768888 or via e-mail at info@liquidglasscentre.co.uk.
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