Born in Winchcombe, in the Cotsworlds, he was to remain there all his life. Sid Tustin joined Michael Cardew at Winchcombe Pottery when he was just 14 years of age. His first work involved moving the heavy clay and pots and also turning the wheel for Elijah Comfort who had joined Cardew. He was soon apprenticed in the pottery and was the mainstay of the pottery for over fifty years becoming a highly skilled potter, producing slipware with a light decorative touch. He was possibly the most prolific Western potter, making over a million distinctive pieces of domestic ware.