Comments on: In praise of Josiah Wedgwood

By: Michael Taylor

Michael Taylor — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:23:29 +0000

Well, it’s your family, so I’ll take your word for it. Also I seem to remember that (Richard Holmes?) biography of Coleridge that he was initially financed for a brief stint as a Unitarian preacher by one of the family. On the other hand, I must tell you that there are a fair number of Quaker-influenced websites which lay claim to Josiah Wedgewood as a Friend.

Mind you, the Christians also took Constantine as a brother . . .

By: John Wedgwood Pound

John Wedgwood Pound — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:51:27 +0000

Michael – I do not disagree with thr thrust of your analysis, but have to correct you on a point of fact – Josiah Wedgwood was not a Quaker. He was a Unitarian, his father had been an Anglican, but his mother Mary Stringer was the daughter of a Unitarian preacher. Many Wedgwoods 18th century Burslem becamse non-conformists.

By: APL

APL — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:29:49 +0000

Acorn: “Another great day for our nations wind turbines tomorrow guys. Forecast to generate a mere 13% of there installed capacity, on the coldest day of the year so far.”

We obviously need Parliament to sit, with a few speeches from Mandleson, Milliband, Jakkie & Brown (who is getting on with the job), we would be assured of a sustained gale force blast sufficient to get those turbines turning.

If that isn’t sufficient to keep us all warm, we could always gather round the turbine towers and keep each other warm by having a good ‘ol sing song.

Perhaps Zak will come along and pass around some green pea soup, just to keep our Eco spirits up.

By: Tears for Tier 1

Tears for Tier 1 — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:39:33 +0000

A very good summary on a Conservative Blog.

I wonder how Anthony Wedgwood-Benn has described the demise of his family business on his blog? If at all.

Tony Benn, the non-conformist sign-post of the people, looking forward never looking back and never, ever, ever being a weather-cock.

By: Bazman

Bazman — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:13:11 +0000

Withnail:
You must you must. The poop will boil through the glaze. We’ll never
be able to use the dinner service again!

By: Acorn

Acorn — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:35:19 +0000

Another great day for our nations wind turbines tomorrow guys. Forecast to generate a mere 13% of there installed capacity, on the coldest day of the year so far.

At least we will not have to pay the buggers the £53 per MWh subsidy for the offshore ones, (on top of what they get from National Grid setlement).

Don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing, the bill from your electricity supplier will not tell you how much they (i.e. you) are being mugged for this Ponzi scam.

http://www.bmreports.com/bsp/bsp_home.htm

By: mikestallard

mikestallard — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:31:10 +0000

In proletarian times, I regret, the supply of quality goods to the aristocracy has to end.
Eat your heart out, William Morris.
Meanwhile, back at the local Comprehensive, “kids” are dressed up in black blazers and bright shiny ties at if they were at Grammar School. If they keep their noses clean and don’t get caught, they drift into “Uni” for a course which equips them never to get their hands dirty and, above all, never to do a “chav” job.
They are far, far too good ever to work in a mere pottery!

By: alan jutson

alan jutson — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:05:21 +0000

Went to the Murano factory (visitors tour) in Venice 38 years ago.
Have a very small set, at that time 6 small glasses and a decanter was about £5.00.
Not to eveyones taste, but reminds us of our Honymoon and youth.

By: marksany

marksany — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:00:48 +0000

I’m sure Wedgwood’s designs will continue to be made. In China, India or Indonesia by someone who bought the intellectual property at a knock-down price.

By: Michael Taylor

Michael Taylor — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:26:50 +0000

Wedgewood was also one of the flotilla of Quaker industrialists of that time, who brought his faith in the power of human decency to bear on the industrial and economic problems of his age.

It would be nice to think that some of those same qualities could be mobilized once again to help Britain through these dark times.

It would also be nice to think that the Conservative party gave some thought to how this could be encouraged. Capitalism and social concern both found an outlet in Quaker commercial organizations, with the need for a commercial return being understood as an essential precondition for the (equally necessary) social aspect of economic activity.

What do the Quakers believe about business? Here are two favourite quotes:
‘Business in its essence is no mere selfish struggle for the necessities of life, but ‘a vast and complex movement of social service.’ However some may abuse its methods for private ends, its true function is not to rob the community but to serve it.’

And. . .

‘. . . the refusal to put up with the second best; a capacity to take infinite pains with other people; espcially . . . the constant effort to seek higher standards beyond the traditional practices or those provided for in regulations.’

People like Josiah Wedgewood lived by these creeds. Can we somehow incorporate these attitudes into modern Conservative thought?