Pots going on

STARTING a new business can drive you potty. But when your business is pots, you have to be prepared to live your life in a bit of a glaze. Steve Bowen and Marie Barkham launched York's first ceramic caf, Rainbows, at the corner of Gillygate and Bootham in January. They had never run a caf before and neither is artistic, so it was a daunting prospect.

"I was made redundant from a job in IT development," said Steve, "and Marie had never really settled in a job. We wanted a new challenge, and this was it."

They moved from Bingley to York last year and began looking for an ideal site for their first venture - a caf where customers can enjoy a cuppa while flexing their artistic muscles decorating ceramics.

"It's an American idea," said Steve, "but isn't everything? It came to London about ten years ago, but this is the first time it has been available in York."

And it is already proving popular, with children creating their own ceramic piggy banks, elderly customers painting the Minster and parents dipping their babies' feet in paint and making footprints on a plate.

All ceramic life is here. And on Monday and Wednesday next week women from across the city will be able to put their painting skills to the test at the caf as part of this year's raft of International Women's Week events and happenings.

"People are often quite nervous at first about making that first mark on a pot or plate," said Marie. "But we're here to help and usually once they start, they love it. It's very relaxing and therapeutic.

"People come in for half an hour and stay for three. One customer was here for ten and a half hours painting a plate. In the end we just put the closed sign on the door and swept up around her. There was no way we were going to chuck her out when she was having such a good time."

Rainbows already has its own band of loyal regulars. One 78-year-old woman with a real talent for painting comes in every week, creating local scenes and the odd nude or two on a plate. Her work is now on sale in the shop and she is available for commissions.

Customers pay a £3.50 studio fee, which covers everything from the paint to overnight firing in one of the two computerised kilns, plus the basic price of whichever ceramic item they choose to decorate. The total cost usually adds up to between £10 and £15.

"All the paints are water-based," said Marie, "so if you make a mistake you simply wait for it to dry then rub it out. It also means that you don't have to worry about kids eating the paint, which they invariably do."

Rainbows is already establishing itself as a popular venue for children's parties, with food provided after the paint brushes have been cleared away. But this is not a caf where food is top of the menu.

"One chap came in and asked if he could have a full English breakfast," said Marie. "Yes, I said, but not here. We do coffee, tea and ceramics. Fry-ups are not for us, but if you want pots, we've got them."

International Women's Week events in York (all numbers 01904 unless stated)

Saturday March 6:

Dance for Freedom at Friends Meeting House, Friargate. A day of dance in aid of Amnesty International including Arabic, salsa and rock 'n' roll sessions. Phone Barbara Lodge on 416728.

Fairtrade Caf in St Martin's Church, Coney Street. Caf and sale of fairly traded goods as part of Fair Trade Fortnight. Phone Fairer World on 655116

HoldingThe Granny, York St John College. A one-act play presented by the Real People Theatre Company. Phone Sue on 488870.

Pakistani Feast at Friends Meeting House, Friargate. Videos, stalls, talks and fantastic food in support of Kwendo Khor, a Pakistani women's group working to educate girls in tribal lands near the Afghan border. Phone Elma or Maryam on 634131.

Sunday March 7:

Drop-in session for women at the Healing Clinic, Fulford Cross. Refreshments and information about treatments. Phone 679868.

York Fairtrade City celebration service at 3pm in York St John College Chapel.

Zoe Burns at The Other Side Comedy Club in the City Screen basement bar. A sideways view of life from a York University graduate. Phone 541144.

Monday March 8:

Ceramic painting at Rainbows Ceramic Caf in Bootham. Select a piece of unfinished pottery, choose your colours and paint your design. Phone Steve or Marie on 675533.

Stand Up and Speak Out in the Marriott room at the Central Library. A practical session for women who want to build their confidence in public speaking and personal communication. Email Helen Cadbury at helen@womcreative.co.uk.

Special "generations" event at El Piano in Grape Lane. You must be an all-women party with at least one member under 18 and another 50+ to enjoy this evening of stories, experiences, live music, poetry, nibbles and wine. Phone Sally or Maggie on 610676.

Tuesday March 9:

Yoga and pilates stretch and tone class at the Priory Street Centre. Phone Val Duncan on 653820.

Women In The Minster and Women In York guided walks (both starting from the gates at Museum Gardens). Phone 622303.

The Greatest Drummer in the World at the Theatre Royal studio. Live drumming and story-telling. Phone 623568.

A Lesbian Enquiry Service for York? A presentation and discussion in Skell learning room 3 at York St John College. Phone Jenny Sykes 716526.

Wednesday March 10:

Clare of Assisi and Mary Ward: Prophetic Models for the 21st Century. A reflective day at St Bedes Pastoral Centre. Phone 464900.

Ceramic painting at Rainbows Ceramic Caf. See Monday March 8.

Peek in - or should that be Peking - a Chinese basket at the City Screen caf bar. An informal look at a basket of shopping from a Chinese supermarket. Phone Linda on 637588.

Tools for Change in the main hall of the Priory Street Centre. The inaugural meeting of York Women's Environmental Network. Phone Lou on 612882 or Laura on 716822.

Thursday March 11:

Baby Yoga at the Friends Meeting House, Friargate. Yoga for parents and children from six weeks to five years. Phone Anna Semlyen on 654355.

Life Coaching for Women at Worm Holes Bookshop, Bootham. Life coaches discuss issues faced by modern women and look at possible solutions. Phone 620011.

The Vagina Monologues at the Grand Opera House. A chorus of hilarious, original and thought-provoking stories starring Lesley Joseph, Sarah Greene (above) and Andrea Oliver. Phone 0870 606 3595.

Nina Zagorski at the City Screen basement bar. Jazz, funk and folk from a soulful singer/songwriter. Phone 541144.

Friday March 12:

English Conversation for Women at the Friends Meeting House, Friargate. English for speakers of other languages. Phone Nancy Spratt on 470507.

Make a Quillow at Gillies Fabrics, Peter Lane. Learn how to create a cross between a quilt and a pillow using simple patchwork designs. Phone 626244.

A Celebration of Women's Writing in the Mariott room at the Central Library. Read your favourite poem, story, speech or essay, or just come along and be entertained. Phone Laura Potts on 716822 or Julia Davis on 552838.

Behind the Scenes at the Yorkshire Film Archive at the Castle Museum. An evening of clips from the York-based archive. Phone 650333.

Sunday March 14:

Women's Cycle Ride from the Millennium Bridge (South Bank side). A 10-mile ride with a stop at a child-friendly pub, preceded by half an hour's basic bike maintenance with the girls from Cycle Heaven. Phone Amanda on 630598.

Reflection Time at Jacob's Well in Trinity Lane. A meeting hosted by the Baha'is of York with refreshments and a children's room. Phone Mrs Castle on 641657.

Updated: 09:22 Tuesday, March 02, 2004