John Bodilly joined the Lamorna Pottery as an apprentice to CHRISTOPHER JAMES LUDLOW in 1953. During the 1960s the business deteriorated and Ludlow, suffering from mental health issues, handed over the management to George and Margaret Smith, a couple from London. This arrangement was shortlived and after Ludlow's death in 1969 the pottery was bequeathed to his sister, and to John Bodilly. 

John was reluctant to run the pottery on his own, so it was acquired in 1961 by PETER BROWN.