Annie Flitcroft - the Southsea craftswoman who left the corporate world to pursue her art
Craftswoman Annie Flitcroft has reflected on her varied career path, from working at IBM in the 1980s and then international brand Bandai to becoming a passionate ceramics artist deeply involved in community heritage projects.
She began her professional life with IBM, working between approximately 1985 and 1991.
Despite a promising corporate career, her life took a different turn after starting a family. With two children born just a year apart and her husband working abroad in Paris during the week, she chose to focus on raising her young family. Once her children were settled in school, she sought time for herself and enrolled in a university course, initially choosing ceramics simply because it was the only class with available space.
What began as a casual decision soon developed into a lifelong passion. “I absolutely loved it,” she said. She went on to complete further training through City and Guilds courses, balancing her studies with family life. Over time, ceramics evolved from a hobby into a fulfilling career.
Her work now includes teaching classes, creating custom pieces, and contributing to local heritage through commemorative plaques. She regularly produces plaques for Portsmouth City Council, historical societies, and private residents. These plaques often mark homes once occupied by notable individuals, requiring both artistic skill and historical sensitivity.
Among her most meaningful projects was a plaque dedicated to Sidney Daniels, believed to be the last surviving crew member of the RMS Titanic disaster. Daniels, who was born in and died in Portsmouth, survived not only the Titanic but also wartime service and a serious dockyard accident. At the time of his death in 1983, he was the last surviving crew member from the Titanic.
“That man was meant to survive,” Annie reflected. She described meeting his daughter as a privilege, gaining insight into a life marked by quiet resilience and extraordinary events.
Creating these plaques is no small task. Each must be crafted in a single session to ensure consistency in the clay, requiring long hours and careful attention to detail. “It’s hard work,” she admitted, particularly for larger commissions featuring extensive text.
Looking back, she considers herself fortunate to have found work she genuinely loves. “Most people spend their lives doing something they don’t enjoy,” she said. “I’d do this for free.”
Annie’s shih-tzu Chewie is a familiar furry face around Castle Road, much beloved of neighbouring businesses.