A widow from Wiltshire who used “pottery as her therapy” has won an award for her work after losing her husband to brain cancer.
The artisan potter, Melanie Edwards, 50, from Devizes, was awarded ‘Pottery Specialist of the year for South England’ just seven months after her husband died from a brain tumour.
Stuart Edwards, 51 was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in April 2021 after suffering from “aching eyes” and debilitating headaches.
The keen computer gamer and regional sales director had two brain surgeries followed by gruelling radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment but as his body grew weak, the tumour became too aggressive and nothing could save him.
Stuart passed away just six months later on 8 October, leaving behind his wife, Mel and their two children Maddie, 20 and Izy who is 17.
Melanie, who owns PotsAboutPottery said: “Pottery has been my therapy since losing Stuart. Throughout his diagnosis and treatment, it kept me centred and able to deal with the most horrendous year of my life.”
“We never expected such a terrifying diagnosis. I don’t think anyone ever does. All we were told is that it was serious and likely to be a GBM and Stuart would need to have an operation.”
The award-winning ceramic artist, raised more than £900 for Brain Tumour Research in February by taking part in 10,000 steps a day challenge, and wants to prevent other people from going through the same heartbreak.
She said: “I want to raise awareness of brain tumours and the need for research into treatment. My late husband was getting awful headaches, eye and neck pain, his eyesight had deteriorated over just a couple of months and he could no longer drive.
"He was eventually diagnosed with GBM after having an MRI and CT scan at The Great Western Hospital, Swindon- if anyone is suffering with unexplained headaches, I urge you to seek urgent help, don’t put it off.
"Early diagnosis could provide a better prognosis.”
She now wants to share her passion for pottery with others and will be fundraising for the charity through a series of craft fairs including: Trowbridge Weavers Market on Saturday 11 June 2022 and The Lions on the Green event on Sunday 12 June.
Mel said: “For me, throwing became my therapy and from the moment I started in 2015, I haven’t looked back.”
To find out more about PotsAboutPottery and Mel’s upcoming events you can visit: www.Etsy.com/shop/PotsAboutPottery or www.facebook.com/pots.about.pottery.MelEdwards
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