• * The company had it's origins (around 1926) at a small works adjacent to the grounds of the George Proctor Gladstone Pottery. Geoffrey Godden's Encyclopaedia of British Pottery & Porcelain Marks gives 1932 as a start date. It might be that from 1926-32 the business was predominantly engaged in decorating ware produced by others and in 1932 production of its own ware commenced. (NOTE: this is speculation)    

• The business was started by Roland Bott (b.1891 d.1947).

• The following extract is from a history of the Gladstone Works: 

"What is now called the Doctors House and the adjacent enamel kiln was a potbank run as Longton New Art Pottery from about 1926 to 1938 by Roland Bott. Coincidentally, he was Pam Bott’s grandfather. Pam was a curator at the museum before her father mentioned any of this and was delighted to find the family connection.

Pam Bott, now Pam Woolliscroft, says, 'At some time, my grandfather ran a business from what is now the 'Doctors House' at Gladstone Pottery Museum using the little enamel kiln at the rear of the property. He may have had other premises too, either before, during or after. The business was known as Longton New Art Pottery. My grandfather Roland Bott was interested in cellulose ware. He also decorated cheap earthenware and fancies and Toby Jugs bearing the Kelsboro Ware backstamp.'"

• The company appears to have moved to Parkhall Street around 1938. It closed during the Second World War under the Wartime Concentration Scheme but reopened in 1946 under the ownership of Messers. Leivers by that time the business had moved to the Gordon Pottery, Forrister Street. 

• In 1962 the company purchased moulds and patterns for floral ware from Charles Amison & Co Ltd. Longton New Art Pottery manufactured floral china under the name 'Staffs Floral China' 

• Kelsboro Ceramics Ltd succeeded the Longton New Art Pottery in 1965. There appears to be no information on this company. 

Family details kindly supplied by: Terry & Pam Woolliscroft (neé Bott)

Company officers:

• 1947 Managing Director - R. Bott, Sales Manager - C. Darlington

• 1951 Managing Director - R. H. Leivers, Works Manager - H. Brookfield

• 1960 Managing Director - R. H. Leivers, Secretary -  M. Colclough, Works Manager - J. Bamford

"Miss Pam Bott, grand-daughter of Ronald Bott who ran the little pottery on the site [of the Gladstone Pottery], was able to help us with some details of the the pottery that centered on the so-called 'manager's house'. Roland Bott, who was originally a packer, ran his Longton New Art Pottery (L.N.A.P.) in this house from about 1926 to about 1939. 

Bott brought in slip from outside and cast six-inch tiles, experimenting with glazes and under-glazes. The little tube-necked oven he used still stands near the site of the excavation. Though it is today referred to as an 'enamel kiln', Bott used it for firing biscuit ware. 

He also experimented with cellulose coatings. These cellulose paints were put on the biscuit without any firing. Despite the unusual nature of the ware it sold and was distributed by agents in England and Australia. The designer was Dan Tunstall.

 The pottery was moved to Parkhall Street, Longton in 1938, and later it was moved to the 'Corner pottery' in Forest[ter] Street, Longton. The firm was then purchased after the war by Messrs. Levers. [probably Leivers].

Source: Gladstone Pottery Excavation, Area 1, 2-16 August 1975; managed by Dr. Francis Celoria of Keele University.

12 R. H. & S. L. Plant, Ltd. / Decoro Pottery Co.

13 Longton New Art Pottery Co., Ltd.

14 Dinky Art Pottery Co., Ltd.

15 British Anchor Pottery Co., Ltd.

16 Sampson Bridgwood & Son, Ltd.

17 Colclough China, Ltd.

Mr Pickwick character jug from the Charles Dickens Pickwick Papers

character jugs were by far the largest output from Longton New Art Pottery  

often referred to as a 'glug' or 'gurgle' jug

in the early 1960s Longton New Art Pottery started to produce contemporary tea sets

1962-65

Kelsboro' Ware
Made in England

1932+

Kelsboro' Ware
Registered

1962-65