TTA Member Craven Dunnill Jackfield on TV

Michael Portillo discovers encaustic tile-making at Jackfield for Great British Railway Journeys TV Series

Michael Portillo has recently paid a visit to Craven Dunnill Jackfield (27 May) and tried his hand at encaustic tile making, as part of the second series of BBC2’s Great British Railway Journeys, which he presents and is due to be on television this autumn. Adrian Blundell, Production Director, accompanied Michael around the works, and said he seemed to genuinely enjoy his visit, was hugely interested in the architecture of the original Victorian buildings and the company’s history, and thoroughly enjoyed getting stuck in and having a go at making an encaustic tile himself.

Michael was filmed approaching the factory from the railway siding at the rear of the works; the current tile-making factory, Craven Dunnill Jackfield, is housed in the buildings of the original Victorian tile-makers, in the Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire. Adrian explained that Michael was particularly interested to learn that, when the works were being restored back around 2003, they found clay from the Victorian era still in the clay storage area, and it was still in a fit state to use.

They then moved onto the encaustic tile-making department, for which Craven Dunnill Jackfield is most well-known, and met Chris Cox, who heads up the department. Michael was struck at the skills involved: “I had no idea of the craftsmanship and skill involved in making such tiles”. He then removed his jacket and was given a crash course in making encaustics, which he appeared to enjoy immensely describing pouring slip as: “Very satisfying”.

At the end of his visit Adrian Blundell presented Michael with an encaustic tile featuring the classic Fired Lion design, as a souvenir of his visit.

Craven Dunnill Jackfield is the sole remaining tile manufacturer in the UK, making encaustic tiles using traditional methods. The current company is located on the original Victorian tile manufacturing site established in 1863, which Henry Dunnill purchased in 1871 having first seen the works from a train, as he travelled through Ironbridge. The railway was located behind the works, and was used to bring in raw materials and transport finished ware from the factory, much of which was exported across the Empire.

Today Craven Dunnill Jackfield is still celebrated for its ceramic tile manufacture. Much of its work is for restoration projects, where traditionally made tiles are required to replace original Victorian tiles, which have been damaged or worn out with the passing of time. The company is currently producing tiles for the on-going restoration of the London Underground and St. Mary’s Cathedral Newcastle.

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