A new Hive

You may think we’ve been pretty quiet recently but actually things have been super busy over here at Hive. Don’t worry though, we haven’t forgotten about you! In fact, we have big news – we’re moving! We’re only going over the road though so we won’t be too far away. We’re all really excited here for the new move and we hope our new office brings us some exciting new opportunities. We promise to keep you all updated on the progress of the move over on our Twitter page so make sure you follow us at @hivemcr. Don’t forget to pop in for a cup of tea (or coffee) when we’ve settled in!

20:20 Vision – Start to celebrate with Hive

Saturday saw the launch of a four month exhibition celebrating the 20th anniversary of Start in Salford. The preview event at The Salford Museum and Art Gallery was a huge success with a great turn out of members and staff, past and present. Start’s founder, Bernadette Conlon, spoke about the dedication and commitment of Start to its core goal of helping people with mental health issues and people isolated in the community. Through creative and arts-based activities and training opportunities, Start helps its members towards a brighter future and recovery.

The exhibition itself was designed in its entirety by Hive to showcase 20 years of artwork created by Start in Salford’s members, working closely with Start throughout the project. The aim of the exhibition was to celebrate and document the achievement of the people of Salford whose lives have been touched by the charity. The huge scope of work was communicated by taking the visitor on a journey through wall graphics, digital media including touch screen interactive units, myriad projected images, films, music and audio alongside some beautiful and extraordinary exhibits. The whole effect was of an ever changing exhibition with the works on show being in constant flux allowing its audience to experience a diverse range of artwork from across the years, and a multitude of creative mediums, from all of Start’s projects. Individual members’ experiences and personal quotes helped to illustrate how much this charity means to the people who support it, and the people it helps, year after year.

Founder and CEO at Start in Salford comments,
‘We are all so excited about our new exhibition; it is groundbreaking. Each element is special and is testament to all the members, volunteers and staff at Start. I am so proud to be celebrating such a landmark anniversary alongside those who have supported the charity over the last 20 years. Here is to the next 20 years!’

The exhibition has also been supported by funding from The Big Lottery, Booth Charities and The Heritage Lottery Fund.

Here at Hive, there is a feeling of great pride and achievement to have delivered an outstanding exhibition for a truly exceptional charity and we urge people to go to the gallery, see the exhibition and support such a worthwhile, local cause. The exhibition runs until the 23rd March 2014.

Hive Schools

This September, Ofsted introduced new regulations dictating that all schools must arrange for key information to be published on their school website, and details of where to find this must be made available to parents.

Specified information to be published on a school’s website includes the following website requirement:

• Admissions Policy
• Access to the most recent Ofsted report
• Link to school performance tables
• Curriculum content by year group and subject (with sources for parents to attain further information)
• The school’s Behaviour Policy
• Pupil premium amount, details of last years spend and its impact on attainment
• Details of the implementation of SEN policy
• Charging and Remissions Policy
• Statement of Ethos & Values

Here at Hive we’ve designed and built many websites for schools in the local area and beyond, picking up some great feedback along the way.

Taking care to approach each and every school website with a fresh outlook to create individual and unique designs, we provide a service that comes highly recommended – but don’t just take our word for it…

Hive have provided my school with excellent support in the areas of website design, branding and photography. The work done by Hive before the opening of our new two form entry primary school has been a major factor in our success. Creating a process by which all stake holders were involved in the naming and branding of our new school has meant that three different school communities have been successfully brought together.
Ros Munro
Headteacher
Willow Tree Primary School

Having an open dialogue and a shared vision meant that we had a very positive working relationship with Hive and we achieved a high quality outcome with a website that meets all our requirements and is easy to navigate around.
Thank you to the Hive team for all their hard work and for making our vision a reality.
Julia Kinch
Deputy Headteacher
River View Primary School

Once I’d made the decision to refresh the school logo and branding I needed to work with an agency that was creative, that listened and understood where we were, that’s why I chose Hive.
They have done and continue to do fantastic work with both schools – it’s a partnership.
Wendy McCormack
Executive Headteacher
Lewis Street Primary School and Christ Church Primary School

… they demonstrated efficiency and professionalism throughout the entire process, especially when working with our pupils during the photo shoot.
Feedback form parents has been excellent and the School Governors were impressed with the service Hive provided, along with real value for money they kept to all deadlines, as promised. We had no hesitation in returning to hive recently, to update both our Prospectus and Website.
Veronica Rock
Deputy Headteacher
Barnwood Park Arts College

So whether you think we could be of service, or if you’d just like some more information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – you can catch us on 0161 660 3620, or e-mail info@hivemanchester.co.uk.

www.marlboroughroadacademy.co.uk

Dickie Bow & Diamonds

A few choice snaps from our recent evening out at the Dickie Bow & Diamonds charity ball…

An evening with Start in Salford

We at Hive will be adorning our choicest finery and slipping on our dancing shoes tonight for a charity knees-up in honour of our chums, Start in Salford.

Start in Salford is a local charity helping people who have, or are at risk of experiencing, mental health problems and social exclusion, to achieve emotional well-being and recovery through creative and arts-based activites and training opportunities.

Just shy of 20 years in the making, Start came to life as the brainchild of Bernadette Conlon, a Salford resident who started out by delivering workshops from the boot of her car.  These days, the charity operates from a dedicated centre in the heart of Salford, and is kept alive by a key team of support workers and dedicated volunteers, as it continues to provide an invaluable service to it’s hundred of members.

A creative bunch ourselves, we hold the work that Start do close to our hearts, and having worked closely with the team on a number of projects over the past couple of years, are overwhelmed by the incredibly worthwhile job that they do for a demographic of people who are truly deserving.

For more information or to contact the charity, visit www.startinsalford.org.uk.

Hive’s Olympic Joy

Though there’s no denying that this summer’s Olympics were a roaring success for Team GB, we don’t doubt that you’re probably a little bit weary from hearing about them now…

However, the studio props designed by Hive for the BBC’s ‘Olympic Tonight’ programme were touched – nay, caressed – by the Adonis that is Mr David Beckham.  And so we couldn’t resist taking one final opportunity to revel in our own unparalleled mirth.

The Bronze, Silver and Gold magnetic medals and Big Ben Gold Medal counter were specially commissioned for the BBC1 show hosted by Gaby Logan as interactive studio props that would celebrate Team GB’s medal-haul success.  And we think they worked a treat.

We designed this. And then David Beckham touched it. And then the Hive female contingent melted.

Local Beekeeper Creates a Buzz With Hive

When local novice beekeepers, Wayne & Janet Gregory, came to us for help with the label designs for their bees’ honey, we were only too happy to help out.

Now, not only has their honey been flying off the shelves, but the couple are celebrating their first major success…  H’s Honey has just been awarded first place in both the ‘Novice’ and in the ‘Naturally Crystallised’ class at the Manchester & District Beekeepers’ Association.  Not bad for a first timer!

We’d like to say it’s with a little help from us, but we can’t take any credit for the amazing honey that Wayne, Janet and their bees have produced.  Congrats guys!

Evolution of the Corporate Tweet

A frequent casualty within the realms of social media, the ‘corporate Tweet’ readily faces criticism as the result of a seemingly insistent tendency to broadcast bland statements.  “Morning all, great weather!”

As such, the gentle ramblings of a slightly unhinged @BetfairPoker employee make for delightfully refreshing reading.  Though the sun may beat heartily down on Betfair HQ, or the team may so long to question their faithful following’s preferred domestic mammal, the good people of Betfair instead treat their followers to a steady stream of such hilarious  snippets as:

I roll over in bed. My wife, The Olympics, is gone! Kidnapped by Brazilians. I scream at the empty sky. Then I go to work. Life goes on.

Top marks to Betfair for giving consumers valid incentive to follow, talk about, and hold dear in their minds, the Betfair brand.  If only to keep up with the inane yet brilliant mutterings of a bereft accounts employee.

For other such accounts, see @WStonesOxfordSt and @ArenaFlowers.

The Crucial Sauce Company Spice Up Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee with Hive

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee is a splendid opportunity for us Brits to wheel out the barbie, raise up the flag, and proudly celebrate all things red, white and blue.  So for Birmingham’s ‘The Crucial Sauce Company‘ it presented a golden opportunity to roll up their sleeves and make a special contribution to the party.

The team at Crucials are proud to declare that they’ve been making Britain squirt since 2001, so for these condiment connoisseurs, we at Hive felt it was only natural for them to lend their time, expertise and taste-buds to the cause.  Cue, “The Nation’s Sauce 2012” – a smoky mayonnaise and ketchup fusion laced with a hint of spice, inspired by the Nation’s favourite flavours from around the world.

Hive developed the concept and artwork for The Crucial Sauce Company’s limited edition ‘Nation’s Sauce 2012’

The limited edition sauce will be available from a number of selected outlets throughout the Jubilee period, so for those lucky enough to get their hands on some, be sure to squirt it on your street-party burgers, splash it over your chippy tea, and slather it on your cucumber sandwiches…  It’s a little taste of what makes Britain, Great.

BBC Songs of Praise: School Choir 2012 Final

Three top junior school and three top senior school choirs went head-to-head in Sunday evening’s BBC Songs of Praise ‘Choir of the Year Final’, which was hosted by ‘Walking in the Air’ singer Aled Jones at The Lowry, Salford Quays.

Heath Mount School, Hertforshire, and St Georges College, Weybridge, prevailed as winners in their respected categories, based on performances judged by Russell Watson, Suzi Digby & David Grant.  The show also featured a performance from former X Factor finalist Joe McElderry.

Hive Manchester developed the Songs of Praise logo (and subsequently the School Choir of the Year logo) back in 2011 to celebrate the iconic programme’s 50^th anniversary.  The selected logo was designed to subtly reflect the underlying elements of music and worship running through the show.