BIRTHDAY SALUTE: POTTERY FIRM MARKS JCB’S 80TH WITH BESPOKE VASE

One of Staffordshire’s oldest family pottery firms has wished JCB and Lord Bamford a happy 80th birthday – with the creation of a unique handmade vase.

Stoke‑on‑Trent‑based Moorcroft, founded by William Moorcroft in 1913, is renowned worldwide for its rich colours and distinctive tube‑lining technique, in which raised outlines are applied by hand before painting and glazing.

The company’s skilled team has now produced a four‑sided vase designed by Emma Bossons, one of Moorcroft’s most celebrated designers, who this year marks 30 years’ service with the pottery firm. She was also the youngest ever female member of the Royal Society of Arts,

Emma’s design captures key moments in JCB’s history – from the Uttoxeter garage where the business began and the first tipping trailer built by Mr JCB, through to the hydrogen‑powered backhoe loader conceived by Lord Bamford.

Moorcroft Director Will Moorcroft, grandson of the founder, said: “We wanted to honour JCB and Lord Bamford and say happy 80th birthday from one Staffordshire family company to another, with a vase created using the brilliant creative skills of our team.”

Lord Bamford said: “The vase is absolutely beautiful. It captures wonderfully all the major moments in the history of our company. I’m overwhelmed by it.”