The Beehive was positively buzzing with over 300 people joining in the celebrations last Saturday to mark 5 years since the venue opened. The café was packed full of people enjoying live music and free refreshments. People enjoyed Mark Tipping’s live music photography exhibition in the gallery, featuring the many bands who have performed at The Beehive, and the auditorium was busy with community organisation stands, craft activities and a suggestions board for people to feedback their ideas for the next 5 years. Groups who regularly use the Beehive gave back-to-back showcase performances that kept everyone entertained – Theatre Kidz, East Devon Dance Academy, Honiton Band and Honiton Community Theatre Company.
In the last five years, the award-winning venue has become a focal point for the community. It is used by over 80 community organisations and special interest groups and also has a busy arts programme of cinema, theatre, music gigs and comedy. The venue is run by Honiton Community Complex, a charity with an amazing team of volunteers and staff who help to provide a welcoming, safe space for people who seek the company of others in a shared activity or event.
Later in the celebrations, before the cutting of a Beehive cake and dancing the night away to the Area 52 band, Barry Simmonds, Chair of Honiton Community Complex charity, paid tribute to Peter Blake, the Honiton Town Mayor who back in 1983 called for a new community centre for the people of Honiton. He thanked all those people who supported his vision and worked to bring the project to fruition along with the town council, volunteers, suppliers and supporters.
