Pre-covid, Honiton enjoyed an annual ‘Festival of Imagination’ at The Beehive – a hands-on science and arts festival for all ages. The Beehive is keen to relaunch this event for 2023. In preparation, this year we’ve put together a smaller-scale ‘Imagining our Festival’, with the theme of ‘Our Environment’. If you live locally and appreciate your surroundings, enjoy the activities on offer and give feedback for next year’s festival.
This year’s mini-festival begins on Friday 15th July with a wonderful musical comedy show ‘Armageddon Attenborough!‘ at 7.30 pm. At a bargain price of only £6, it is the story of three unlikely heroes facing Armageddon. “Expect outrageous costume changes, close(ish) harmonies, ballads, a buttload of exposition, and the sullying of a beloved National Treasure.” The new production is from Bumnote – the combined brains of spoken-word artist Chris White and musician Hal Kelly. Age Guidance: 12+ (some strong language & references to violence).
On Saturday 16th, enjoy a Green Spaces Guided Walking Tour. Meet in The Beehive carpark at 10 am with sturdy boots and appropriate clothing for the great British weather! We will explore some glorious green spaces in Honiton, including the Glen, the Gissage and Roundball hill (if there’s the desire and capability. There’s an alternative route back to the Beehive if the hill is too much!) Please book a place in advance so that your enthusiastic guides Jo Lowman and Ian Jeeves know the numbers and to cover the cost of your coffee and cake in the café on return (£2.50). You will find hidden places and pick up interesting facts and snippets of Honiton history – perhaps you may even have some to share?
From 12.30 pm in the café at The Beehive, the East Devon Climate Change officer will answer any queries and share tips about the little things we can do to preserve our beautiful environment – ‘How can we help the planet in small steps?’ The Thelma Hulbert Gallery and Devon Wildlife Trust will have information about Climate conversations. 1st Honiton Scout Group will display some of their recycled artwork! This is all suitable for families.
Enjoy a free drop-in collaborative ‘Code Red Animation‘ workshop with environmental artist Isgard Wild from 11 am-3 pm, suitable for all ages 5 to 95. Using mono-printing and stills taken from film footage relating to climate, you will draw and contribute to a film that inspires others to be climate-positive. The process is easy, mindful and relaxed. While animating, you can also form part of the soundtrack with your thoughts on the climate in a voice recording. You can drop in for 10 mins or 2 hours – however long is fine!
There will be a special watery-themed creative writing workshop for aspiring writers, “Water You On About?“ from 2-3.15 pm, led by poet Chris White and musician Hal Kelly. Whether you’re a poet, songwriter or budding novelist, this will get your creative juices flowing from rain-based sound poetry to personifying puddles. Throughout this engaging session, you’ll learn new techniques, write, and (if you like) share your work. No experience or preparation is necessary. You will need to book via The Beehive – the cost is only £6, and tickets are limited.
The Beehive team look forward to seeing you and finding out what you would like for The Festival of Imagination in 2023.
