The Alston Moor arts scene is buzzing once again thanks to the The Hive at Nenthead.
After 15 years of standing empty, Nenthead Chapel in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, was in a semi-ruinous state.
However, thanks to the action of a group of local residents, a not for profit community benefit society, Nenthead Chapel Enterprises Ltd, was formed, grant funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund obtained and in June, 2019, thanks to the hard work of a dedicated group of volunteers, the Grade II listed former Wesleyan Chapel, was restored and came back into public use.
Housing a café, room for events and meetings and also supporting local producers through its retail space and art gallery, The Hive quickly obtained a reputation for good food and great events, steered by a team of very active volunteers.
Nine months after opening however, COVID-19 struck and The Hive, like the rest of the country, went into lockdown. There followed a period of great challenge with a building to maintain and no source of income but Government grants and the furlough scheme helped and in July 2020, The Hive re-opened to the public with socially distanced seating, hand sanitising stations, one way systems, screens and mask wearing.
Little did the volunteers know that these measures would become the ‘new normal’ for some considerable time and that The Hive would be subject to restrictions throughout 2021.
Nenthead Chapel Enterprises Ltd, in common with other businesses, adapted. They began offering take away food, providing outdoor seating and joining the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, but the events programme was cancelled and visitor numbers were restricted.
It wasn’t until July 2021, more than two years after opening, that The Hive really began to get going again.
Yvonne Conchie, project evaluator for the National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “In the face of enormous and unprecedented challenges, the communal ambition and characteristic resilience of the community of Nenthead is once again winning through.
“The Hive at Nenthead is buzzing at the meeting of the five roads in the heart of the village and is set for a sweet future as the pandemic restrictions lift.”
July 2021 saw the return of the events programme with what has now become a very popular monthly quiz and supper night. Other events in 2021 included art and craft workshops, cooking demos, exhibitions in the gallery and carols played on the restored organ. 2021 ended with fantastic performances from local musicians Errant Thieves and Rory Connor.
Rafa Canet, chair of trustees, said:“ It has been brilliant to get events up and running again and the support from our local community and visitors from further afield has been fantastic. We’re currently developing the events programme for 2022 and we hope there will be lots to interest people. Our café, shop and gallery space are back open now and we are feeling very excited about the coming season.”
Feedback from visitors has been very positive, as one visitor commented: “Looking forward to forthcoming events and activities here! Such a beautiful building and peaceful space. Preserved and inhabited again for its next chapter! We reckon John Wesley would have approved.”
Full details of The Hive’s event programme and opening hours are at www.hivenenthead.co.uk
