THE funeral has taken place of gifted Birtle craftsman Harry Johnston who died earlier this month aged 84.
Mourners gathered at Jericho Methodist Church in Elbut Lane, Bury, for last Friday’s service, followed by a committal at Rochdale Crematorium.
For many years Mr Johnston, of Delph House Farm, was a self-employed potter, engraver and religious artist. He is survived by his wife, Valerie, and son, Mark.
After coming to the UK from Brazil as a child, he was educated in Heywood before studying at Bury Art School.
In 1950, Mr Johnston opened Birtle Pottery at the site of a former church off Elbut Lane where his workshop produced ceramics, one-off statues, vases, cups and other goods.
However, due to failing eyesight he stopped working full-time in 1990.
Despite deteriorating health, Mr Johnston and his wife attended a Birtle Trust exhibition staged in his honour at Jericho Methodist Church in February.
l—In an obituary printed in the Bury Times last week, we mistakenly used the wrong photograph. We apologise for any distress caused.
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