More “Wades” in Wades 

by Carole Murdock

Iris Wade Carryer was featured in the last two issues of the Wade Magazine.  Besides being the daughter of Sir George Wade and a force behind our beloved Whimsies, Iris was also the sister of Anthony (Tony) Wade.  Though their father, Sir George, never completely retired from George Wade & Son Ltd., Tony took over the day to day running of the pottery in the early 80’s and was in charge after Sir George’s death at age 94 in January 1986. Unfortunately, Tony died of leukemia in May 1987.   Since Iris and her husband had not been in charge of Wade Ireland since 1964, Tony’s death ended the official lineage of a Wade at the helm of the pottery.

Yet, the Wade heritage is still an intrinsic part of the pottery.  Tony had two sons, Jeremy and Richard.  They have not been involved in the business side of the company but they have had much to do with the Wades we love. Jeremy has been quite active with the beginning of the Official Wade International Collectors Club.  He is honorary president of the club and has attended most Wade Fairs and functions.  He appeared on QVC in 1992 as a spokesman for Wade Villages which were being sold on the program. 

 Jeremy lives in a Victorian Mansion called the Old Vicarage.  Jeremy said his children have always liked Dr. Healer’s House in the Whimsey-on-Why series because it reminds them of their own home which is covered with Virginia creeper.   Although Jeremy does not seriously collect Wade figurines, he has some amazing items.  One is the Swan Dancer, a graceful ballerina with his grandfather’s handwriting on the base.  Another is a red leather bound first edition of the in-house Wade magazine, “The Jolly Potter” begun by his father in 1951.  Jeremy’s business interests have centered around the buying and selling of classic cars.  He was an influence behind many of the car items that Wade produced like the Veteran Car Series of dishes, tankards, and shaving mugs.

 Jeremy’s younger brother, Richard, is a talented artist who does etchings on copper or zinc plates which he then tints by hand using water color.  Richard’s favorite themes are vintage cars, golf, gardening, etc. and his etchings can be seen at his web site www.richardwade-art.com 

Of interest to Wade collectors is that Richard designed many of the Whimsey-on-Why Village pieces.  He based the pieces loosely on buildings in the Shropshire villages where he grew up.  For example, the Tobacco Shop was inspired by one in his local market town and the Post Office was patterned after one in Painswich where Richard’s godmother lived.  The Watermill was modeled after one in Cheadle near Staffordshire that friends later made into a house.  The Pump Cottage is a typical half-timbered house and would have had a water pump in the garden.  The idea for St. Sebastian’s Church came from St Chad’s church in a village near Jeremy’s home.  The most beloved of all the models by many collectors is Bloodshot Hall.  This piece is based on Brand Hall in Norton-in-Hales purchased by Sir George Wade in 1951 and his home until his death.  Richard has some of these village pieces in his kitchen, most of them have been played with by his children and are in a very well-loved condition.

 For generations, the Wade family has been personally involved in the collectables we have all come to love.  Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever.  Yet, Wade is still Wade, and the pottery is still producing charming pieces in the tradition of the past.  Although those in charge have changed and the methods of pottery production have changed, what has stayed the same are the smiles that come to our faces as we think of the latest Whimsical Wade figurine.

0845 2462525 or from overseas +44 845 246 2525, or e-mail us at club@wadecollectorsclub.co.uk

Jeremy & Richard

The Old Vicarage

Brand Hall

Swan Dancer

Jolly Potter