John Buchanan, born in 1943, joined Anthony Richards at Arch Pottery in St Ives in 1961 to learn how to throw. He stayed at Arch until 1966 when he set up Anchor Pottery at Hayle.

He moved the pottery to St Ives in 1971 and then in 1976 to Halsetown on the St Ives to Penzance road, where it is still to be found. He uses both gas and electric kilns.

John lectures at St Austell College and is involved in adult education and pottery workshops. He also teaches at Lostwithiel Community Centre, Trenaren College, and runs pottery and painting courses from his home in Halsetown. John was also involved in a National Trust project at Saltram, Plympton where members of the public were invited to try their hand at throwing pots for £1.50 a time.