As residents in Hampshire and Surrey awoke on Wednesday morning to a mass of snow and difficult driving conditions, and children celebrated the prospect of a day off school, Grayshott Pottery opened their doors as usual.

Nine key staff from Grayshott Pottery pulled on their warmest clothes and set off early in the morning to get to work– some walking up to 6 miles!

Staff braved a long cold trudge through deep snow and icy conditions from their homes in Haslemere and Bordon, and some took up to one and a half hours to get to work!

Gift Shop Manager, Dave White who walked from his home in Haslemere said, 'It was pretty hard going because the snow was so deep. It took me a bit of time but I managed to get up the hill at Hindhead and on my way passed lots of abandoned cars around the crossroads and at the side of the road. It looked as if some people had spent the night in their cars too. When I got into Grayshott Pottery, we put the coffee on in the Café and set about making bacon butties in case people wanted a warm up!'

Managing Director Ed Snell added, 'I managed to drive through the side roads from Liphook to Grayshott and will be taking staff home later. I have rope in my Landrover at this time of year in case I need to pull anyone out from anywhere, but this year we spent most of the journey just clearing broken trees off the roads. We have had a few people visit the Pottery for hot drinks and food etc so far which has been really nice. Most are arriving mainly by foot at the moment but we are getting the car park cleared of snow which will make things a lot easier for everyone over the next few days.'

Grayshott Pottery that is well known for its creation of local ceramics also makes catering-ware for food businesses all over the UK as well as for High Street pubs and restaurants. Amongst its many customers are Jamie Oliver's restaurants, the latest of which opened last year in Guildford. For the last 3 years Grayshott Pottery has also been home to the designer studio brand of Dartington Pottery. The pottery has a café, a substantial gift shop and a small visitor centre too. For further information contact Grayshott Pottery, School Road, Grayshott GU26 6LR or telephone 01428 604404.