The Hive in Nenthead is a community centre and arts venue in a restored Methodist chapel. In this episode, I talk to Katja and Mandy, two of the venue's directors, about its history and its present roles, and to hear its pipe organ played by Brian Cottle in just one of the many contrasting events on offer here.
Nenthead is a former mining village in the valley of the River Nent, a tributary of the South Tyne, and high in the North Pennines at some 440m elevation. It is just inside Cumbria, very close to the borders of both Northumberland and County Durham.
The Hive has been beautifully restored and preserves the decorative ironwork and balcony of the original chapel. It is run entirely by volunteers for the benefit of the community and puts on a wide range of activities, including an eclectic repertoire of music. You can find out about the events on offer from The Hive’s Facebook page or on their website at www.hivenenthead.co.uk. I do encourage you to visit: you will be warmly welcomed.
One feature of The Hive that immediately strikes the visitor is its pipe organ, which occupies much of one wall of the venue. I was lucky to be there when the organist Brian Cottle arrived to play an evening’s concert. Brian is an accomplished musician whose unusual hobby is to play a pipe organ when he finds one that piques his interest. We talked about his life in music and the ins and outs – literally – of the workings of a pipe organ. This episode includes several familiar classical pieces that Brian played that evening to a very appreciative audience, concluding with a rousing rendition of Jerusalem. The organ, though in remarkably good condition, would benefit from some TLC but Brian overcame the challenges admirably.
