Charitable Connections - The RFS & Action Oak

A unique collaboration between one of the finest art potteries in the world today and two organisations who do so much to protect and care for trees and woodlands, has opened the gates of design and glaze artistry par excellence transforms veteran oaks and precious woodland and forests into a breathtaking collection of sophistication and wonder. Heritage shapes, which include two colossal prestige masterpieces, stand proud in a collection that dives deep into the Arts & Crafts roots of Moorcroft. Each piece of art pottery is made entirely by hand utilising heritage techniques and holds designs from all members of the Moorcroft Design Studio.

Bringing together the admirable work of the Royal Forestry Society (‘RFS’), a charity who have devoted effort for over 140 years, to promote the wise management of woods and trees, through their network of knowledgeable landowners, foresters, arborists and others (Patron: His Majesty The King) and Action Oak, a public-private initiative solely dedicated to the protection of the UK’s native oak tree legacy and health, the Moorcroft design team have truly grasped the natural world to create an exciting chapter in the art potteries history, creating pottery which is sure to take root in our internal spaces and champion the work of these organisations.

Launch of The Majesty of Trees Collection

Moorcroft were delighted to have been granted permission to launch this new collection at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire – an Estate which is home to more than 866 veteran oaks in an area known as High Park. Standing proud in the Applied Arts, The Majesty of Trees holds a Queen of Moorcroft design, an artistic vision of the Estate’s ‘Queen Oak’ – a monarchical tree with more of more than a 1046-year reign.

The Collection also celebrates Miss Mary Wellesley, Great-great-granddaughter to the Duke of Wellington, who gifted Hockeridge and Pancake Wood in the Chilterns to the RFS in 1986. She saved the woods from urban development and replanted in the 1950s and 60s with many ‘fashionable’ forestry trees of the time including conifers, and many unusual species which are still seen today. Said to be ‘ahead of her time’ in respect to her vison for the wood, a vase and four plaques step forward in her honour and demonstrate the majesty and power of her trees in this rescued ancient woodland. Mary’s umbrella, which Mary ‘never went anywhere without’ can be found in a prestige vase of mammoth proportions, created in her honour, simply named Hockeridge and Pancake Wood.

“This stunning new range of pottery from Moorcroft, brilliantly captures the majesty and beauty of trees. I hope these crafted pieces will help inspire, and fasten the bonds we have with nature, and encourage more people to care for our woodland.” Christopher Williams, Chief Executive Royal Forestry Society. Chris has 30 years’ experience in the nature conservation, education and charity sectors, mostly at senior level. Before joining the RFS, Chris spent 15 years with the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust, most recently as Land Management & People Engagement Director. Prior to that, Chris was a Regional Manager with BTCV. Chris holds a BA (Hons) in Economic History and a Diploma in Environmental Conservation.

During the address from Alison Field, RFS President, Alison made it clear that education is so important in their work to manage and protect their woodlands and the biodiversity that relies on them. A tree can have many lives whilst it grows and lives, and when it dies as a home for many other species. Through Moorcroft Art Pottery the design studio have not just created beautiful pieces for your home but also told a story that needs to be told.

This piece holds the name of the collection itself and was an important design to the RFS as the design itself allows the majesty of trees to quite literally take root in the Applied Arts and champion the challenges of today.

In the world today, the storm clouds may be moving more unpredictably, and yet these giants of literature, and buttresses against the storm, continue to cool local climates, prevent flood damage and shelter and feed the natural world they oversee. These mighty trees possess roots that penetrate deep into the soil to find water. Such trees are powerful because of the work of the root system and are often able to endure the storms of life. Emma’s design features this enduring symbol of strength, where roots anchor trees down in a storm, to provide a place animals can shelter peacefully underground or in their hollows whilst the wind batters the canopy above.

“We are thrilled to have been able to work with two iconic organisations that do so much for the natural world and journey into a woodland world through the eyes of people who are utterly dedicated to preserving and protecting our woodland and forest heritage, especially our veteran oaks. We are thankful to have had the opportunity to take advantage of the RFS’s unrivalled forestry expertise and are delighted that The Majesty Of Trees can bring the sheer joy of the arboreal community to a worldwide audience. Undeniably, the beauty of many trees within this celebratory collection will mesmerize many as they rise up in a myriad of Moorcroft glazes, harnessed and perfected to capture numerous natural wonders. The words of William Moorcroft, our founding father, immediately come to mind. He once dramatically stated that to misapply the colours of the natural world would be “no less offensive than to paint the bark of a tree.” Fortuitously for all, our glaze alchemy surpassed all expectations.” comments Moorcroft’s Catherine Gage, PR Director.

‘It is a great honour for Action Oak to collaborate with two such eminent organisations as Moorcroft Pottery and the Royal Forestry Society. The oak-themed vases are beautiful, inspiring and to be treasured by current and future generations, just like the trees that they portray’ Geraint Richards, Chair of Action Oak. Geraint is President of the Institute of Chartered Foresters and also Head Forester for the Duchy of Cornwall and to His Majesty the King, responsible for the management of trees, woodlands and forests across the Duchy’s extensive landholding in England and Wales. Graduating in 1992 with a degree in forestry from Bangor University, he worked for four years with the Forestry Commission before taking up his current role. The Duchy’s woodlands extend to some 2,500 hectares and contain a variety of species and forest types. Geraint was made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) in 2017, and in 2019 was awarded the Royal Forestry Society’s Gold Medal for distinguished services to forestry. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters.

“Trees belong to everybody, they need to be protected." Filipe Salbany, Estate Conservation Manager at the Blenheim Palace. 

About the Collection

The handmade designs within the collection range in price from £345 to £7000. The designs are available as exclusive limited editions, and numbered editions that will be discontinued when the collection closes. Heights vary from a 6-inch high Victorian Bonbonniere, featuring a demure sapling that weaves around the heritage vessel to foster a desire to nurture and protect, and will hold the Action Oak backstamp, to a colossal 26-inch vase made exclusively for the RFS that journeys into the heart of one of the Charity’s own woodlands. Other shapes include five plaques and three large Moorcroft vases.