WHEN I met Josephine Blackwell, the woman who single-handedly transformed a neglected Fordingbridge farm into a thriving enterprise, I was taken aback by her gentleness and calm.

She was certainly not the strapping and robust woman I was expecting to meet.

Over the past four decades, Josephine, whose father was the late Joe Chamberlain, artist and engraver, has gone from strength to strength and now she is celebrating 40 years of throwing and making pots.

In 1963, from the humble beginnings of her father's potting shed at what was then Strawberry Farm, in Godshill, Josephine created a successful pottery business.

She moved to Salisbury in 1967 and launched Rose Villa Pottery, building a studio and shop from an old junk store.

After contracting and defeating a serious illness, Josephine took stock of her life, and in 1997 decided to sell Rose Villa Pottery and move back to her family's farm, where she had grown up.

In just six years, Jospehine has turned the fast-becoming-abandoned Rose Villa Farm into a working farm, complete with animals, hay-making facilities and contractors.

And after breathing life into the farm, Josephine resuscitated her father's neglected art studio, turning it into an impressive pottery.

"When I came back here, there was lots to do," she said.

"After my father died, there were thousands of pictures and paintings scattered around the studio. I had to sort them all out, and that was a tough job.

"The floor was leaking so it was damp and the shopfront was abandoned.

"I brought it all back to life."

Now Josephine is running her own ten-week pottery courses at the farm and will soon begin upholstery courses.

Josephine said: "I am self-taught, mainly in pottery and art. I have always had a natural flair for both but it is not necessary to be artistic to be a good potter.

"People assume you have to be artistic and creative but this is not true. It is a craft. People simply have to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty.

"I think there is ability in all of us to be creative and make something.

"It is extremely fascinating to watch some under-fives try to create bowl shapes out of clay."

At the front of the farm stands a tiny shop, brimming with Josephine's clayware. From the traditional fuddling (linked) cups to more contemporary vases, the shop is crammed with a host of interesting and decorative pieces.

Josephine said: "Different people like different things, which is good for everyone because my customers get a wider choice and I have fun making a variety of pieces.

"I also felt that it was time to pass on my knowledge and enthusiasm to all those who want to learn.

"I want to persuade people to do the things that they believe they cannot do.

"Pottery has certainly changed over the years. During the 1970s many people had beards and wore sandals. Lots of people made a living out of pottery.

"It is very sad today that it is very expensive for shops to sell hand-made pottery. It is a shame that it is not viable.

"But I shall probably make pots forever out of love."

For details about Rose Villa Pottery and Josephine's courses, call 01425 653150.