This Beginner’s Ceramics Course is perfect for anyone wanting to learn the basics of hand-building with clay. Over the course, you’ll explore essential techniques such as coiling and slab building. You’ll be introduced to a range of methods and processes to help you build a strong foundation, and then encouraged to develop your own ideas and create unique, personal pieces. The teaching approach is informal and flexible, responding to the needs and interests of each participant. Many members of the group have been coming to Clay Club for some time, helping to create a welcoming, supportive, and relaxed environment where everyone feels comfortable learning, experimenting, and sharing ideas. Whether you’re looking to start a new hobby or develop your existing skills, this is the place for you — and it’s lots of fun. (Please note: this course does not include using the potter’s wheel and the location is at the Ragtag Pottery in Mealbank. WHEN Tuesdays 6 - 9pm Sessions are booked in half-term blocks. Clay Club follows the school term dates, so the length of each course varys from 5 - 7 weeks. COST £22.50 per session, paid in half termly blocks. All materials and firing costs are included.

Carnival Club is a monthly adult workshop, funded by Arts Council England and The National Lottery Awards for All. Once a month, we host two hands-on creativity sessions where everyone—whether you’re a seasoned maker or just curious—can help build the visual heart of the Ragtag Parade. We’ll be working together on puppets, props, costumes, and more, using recycled materials, imagination, and plenty of glue. These sessions are collaborative, relaxed, and open to all skill levels—no experience needed, just enthusiasm and a willingness to have a go. You’ll also have the chance to connect with others, make friends, and be part of something amazing. WHEN Second Wednesday of every month.  Morning session: 10:00–12:30 Evening session: 18:30–21:00 COST FREE. Carnival Club is funded by the Arts Council and The National Lottery Awards for All. If you are able to contribute, your support will help us reach and benefit more people. LOCATION [VENUE] [ADDRESS1], [ADDRESS2], [TOWN/CITY], [COUNTY] [POSTCODE] [MAP] ACCESS INFO We want everyone to feel welcome at Carnival Club. If you have disabilities, neurodivergence, or other access needs, we’ll do our best to support you. Please provide this information when you book your place, or get in touch to discuss how we can help. Our building is all on the ground floor, and we have a accessible toilet. WHAT IS RAGTAG PARADE? Ragtag Parade is a joyful, inclusive carnival project celebrating creativity, community, and sustainability. Running from September 2025 to November 2026, we’ll work with a diverse group of people to co-create giant puppets, spectacular costumes, site décor, and performances, all made from reclaimed materials from our Scrapstore. Everything we make will come together in parades at festivals across Cumbria, with a final exhibition showcasing our creations. Click here to fing out more. ​

ABOUT A relaxed creative session for mums, dads, and grandparents who are caring for preschool children—and fancy a morning of making! Your little “munchkins” can enjoy free play in our loose parts area, get stuck into cutting and sticking activities, and explore our scribble space, while you spend time with other like-minded crafty people getting creative yourself. This month’s project: Hand-stitched tote hangings We’ll be making beautiful hand-stitched tote hangings, inspired by Indian traditions. You can design your own theme and create a vertical hanging, embellished with stitching, tassels, pom poms, buttons, and beads. These can be kept for yourself, gifted to someone special, or used to decorate your munchkin’s bedroom or nursery. COST £20 Ticket includes: All materials for your craft project A hot drink for you Access to the Scrapstation, scribble area and loose parts play area for your child A warm, welcoming space to create, connect, and play.

🧵 IT’S TIME FOR OUR FABRIC SALE AGAIN! 🧵 Pop in and fill a basket for just £7! 🎉 Rummage through piles of beautiful fabrics, from tiny scraps and offcuts to big pieces and large rolls. There’s plenty to discover, whether you’re sewing, crafting, making or just fancy a rummage! 📅 Tuesday 17th November — 10am–4pm 📅 Thursday 19th November — 10am–6pm 📅 Friday 20th November — 10am–4pm 📍 Ragtag Community Scrapstore, Elephant Yard £7 per basket — fill it up! Come early for the best choice, and get rummaging! ✂️🧵

Create your own unique ceramic wall altar — a beautiful handmade piece designed to display a candle, special stone, treasured object or little collection of things you love. Using slabs of clay, you’ll hand-build your altar before adding texture, surface decoration and sculptural elements to make it completely your own. At the workshop, you’ll choose one of our glazes for your finished piece. Once your work has been bisque fired, we’ll dip and glaze it for you, giving it a beautiful, professional finish before its final firing. A chance to slow down, get creative and create something meaningful to display at home.

Ragtag After Dark: Paint a Pot Ragtag After Dark is our series of relaxed evening craft workshops running in the run-up to Christmas. Each week we’ll have a different creative project to get stuck into, with BYO drinks, good company and plenty of time to make something great. Paint a Pot will be available at every Ragtag After Dark session. Choose from our selection of ceramic pieces, including plates, bowls, tiles, mugs and piggy banks, then decorate your piece using our colourful glazes. Create something for yourself or make a personal, handmade Christmas gift for someone you love. Once you’ve finished, we’ll fire your piece ready for you to collect before Christmas. This workshop takes place at our town-centre venue. Bring your own beer, bottle of wine, or grab a hot drink from our café. Settle in, get creative and enjoy a relaxed evening at Ragtag. 🍷☕️ A chance to slow down, get creative, have a drink and make something special to give to someone you love. 🎨

Spend a relaxed Sunday getting creative with clay and making your own Christmas ceramic trio. You’ll create three Christmas tree hanging decorations, a pair of candle sticks and a little tea light house — perfect for decorating your home or giving as handmade Christmas gifts. You’ll also get to choose the glazes for your finished pieces. Once your work has been bisque fired, we’ll glaze it for you before its final firing. A lovely, relaxed afternoon of making, chatting and getting into the Christmas spirit.

Ragtag After Dark is our series of relaxed evening craft workshops running in the run-up to Christmas. Each workshop features a different creative project, with BYO drinks, good company and plenty of time to get stuck in and make something great. This week, create your own unique pair of ceramic candle sticks — a handmade piece designed to bring a bit of personality to your home or make a special Christmas gift. Using pinch pots, you’ll hand-build your candle sticks before adding texture, surface decoration and sculptural elements to make them completely your own. At the workshop, you’ll choose one of our glazes for your finished pieces. Once your work has been bisque fired, we’ll dip and glaze it for you, giving it a beautiful, professional finish before its final firing. This workshop takes place at our town-centre venue. Bring your own beer, bottle of wine or favourite drink, or grab a hot drink from our café. Settle in, get creative and enjoy a relaxed evening at Ragtag. 🍷☕️ A chance to slow down, get creative, have a drink and make something beautiful to display at home.

Ragtag After Dark is our series of relaxed evening craft workshops running in the run-up to Christmas. Each workshop features a different creative project, with BYO drinks, good company and plenty of time to get stuck in and make something great. This week, slow down and get stitching as you create your own hand-stitched Christmas decorations. Choose your favourite colours, fabrics and festive designs, then stitch and embellish your decorations to make them completely your own. Perfect for hanging on your Christmas tree, adding to your festive decorations or giving as a lovely handmade gift. This workshop takes place at our town-centre venue. Bring your own beer, bottle of wine or favourite drink, or grab a hot drink from our café. Settle in, get creative and enjoy a relaxed evening at Ragtag. 🍷☕️ A cosy evening of making, chatting and getting into the Christmas spirit. 🎄🧵