My mother, Liz Hird, who has died of cancer aged 82, was a designer, maker and teacher determined to encourage the creative work of children and adults.
She and her husband, Ian Hird, set up the Kelso Pottery as part of an initiative to bring new industries to the Scottish Borders in the late 1960s. They built a kiln and created a combined pottery studio and shop, to make both functional and decorative stoneware, with their first joint exhibition held in 1970.
Over the years Liz made ceramic hens, Christmas nativities, Noah’s arks and many, many piggy banks. Her largest pottery project, taking more than two years to complete, was recreating the buildings of Kelso town square, often including figures of the owners or people associated with the buildings. Many of the shop and building owners bought their model, and some are still on display, such as that of the Cross Keys hotel, which can be seen in their reception.
Born in Oldham, Lancashire, to Maud (nee Lee), a shop assistant, and Harry Mellor, an electrical engineer, Liz went to Manchester high school for girls and then attended Edinburgh Art College, in 1962. It was there that she met Ian, a fellow student, and they were married in 1965.
Liz specialised in stained glass and pottery, and went on to do teacher training at Moray House, Edinburgh. In 1968, Liz and Ian moved to Kelso.
As well as the pottery, which is still running, Liz taught art at Kelso high school, from 1972 to 2004, and supported pupils in designing and painting scenery for school musicals.
She also had a longstanding involvement with the Kelso Amateur Operatic Society, the Amateur Dramatic Society and a local choir. Although Liz acted and sang in many productions, she much preferred being on the design side. She would create miniature scale models of a stage set and then work with teams of people to bring her designs to life, often working in unheated barn spaces large enough to accommodate the scenery pieces and putting dust sheets over the tins of paint to stop them freezing.
Quilts were also a huge part of Liz’s creative output, which she began by making bed covers for the family home. She was particularly drawn to geometric patterns, creating complex designs working with fabric sample books and charity shop finds. Over the years she made wall hangings, blankets and quilts to celebrate the birthdays of her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by Ian, my brother, Gil, and me, and by four grandchildren.
