GIGGLESWICK'S Matthew Wilcock has been rubbing shoulders with the heir to the throne.

The winner of the Great Pottery Throw Down returned to Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, where the TV series was filmed, for a visit by the Prince of Wales.

Matthew, who teaches ceramics at Giggleswick School, was reunited with fellow Throw Down finalists Jim Ranson, Sally-Jo Bond and Tom Knowles-Jackson, broadcaster Sara Cox, and judges Keith Brymer Jones and Kate Malone.

They chatted to the Prince, who was there to officially open the pottery's Prince of Wales Studios, which have been created in the old packing house in a £200,000 scheme spearheaded by the Prince’s Regeneration Trust, and to receive the prestigious EU Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Award.

His Royal Highness also inspected Matthew's winning piece of pottery.

Matthew said: “It was great to meet The Prince of Wales and be back at the pottery with friends.

"He thought the show was fantastic and was impressed that I taught at a school that still offered ceramics as a subject.

"We both think it is such a shame pottery is one of many traditional crafts beginning to die out and no longer be offered in schools. He also told me of his pottery classes at school and how difficult it was to use the old kick wheels.”

Matthew, who at 23 was the youngest contestant, gained his passion for ceramics from his parents and says his greatest inspiration was his father, Geoff, who has worked as a ceramics teacher and technician for more than 40 years. Growing up, Matthew would help his father produce work for exhibitions and local businesses, learning different techniques and developing his subject knowledge.

After completing a BA in ceramics at the University of Central Lancashire followed by a PGCE for teaching, Matthew joined Giggleswick School in September, 2014.

l In Yorkshire, the Prince’s Regeneration Trust has overseen the restoration of Eastbrook Hall in Bradford, Sowerby Bridge Wharf and the Milton Rooms in Malton.

lWhat do you think? We welcome letters on this or any other subject. E-mail richard.parker@nqyne.co.uk or write to the Content Editor, Craven Herald, 38 High Street, Skipton BD23 1JU. Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number.