The Hive JQ

The Hive is a community hub for Birmingham in an historic building, with an award-winning organic café and bakery, craft workshops, exhibitions and event spaces.

Our Awards

Awards

This film, shared by the West Midlands Growth Company, gives a lovely summary of what makes us award-winning!

Latest

Opening of The Fold

The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP opens The Fold. Funded by The Chancellor using Libor funds the Fold is a new centre for army families at Clervaux.
Dr Stefan Geider

Stefan is a GP based in Aberdeen at the Camphill Wellbeing Trust. Stefan has particular expertise in learning disabilities and mistletoe therapy.
Matthew Hayes

Matthew is a biological market gardener and educator who runs a commercial organic market garden in Hungary and works with social farming.
JQ Heritage Film Squad

We are making a series of short films which explore enjoyment and inclusivity. Using the Jewellery Quarter as inspiration, our squad of film makers will be considering how we interact with the world around us.

Make It, Mend It at The Hive

Starting Tuesday 28th September, we will be hosting a new weekly community group called, Make It, Mend It, at The Hive. This super informal gathering is for anyone wanting to learn how to fix, mend, upcycle or repair items and objects. It’s a new group so with time and your input it will evolve and grow into what our community needs and wants. We are being supported by the wonderful Sophie Watson from @theborrowShop and the artisan Louise Ludlam-Snook @upcycledinteriorsuk
Exhibition - Our Stories in Stitch

The Our Stories in Stitch exhibition which has been created by women from Ward End’s.
Exhibition - Independent JQ Today

Independent JQ Today is a photographic exhibition by the artist Marta Kochanek. Marta was commissioned by The Hive to capture the thriving creative businesses of the Jewellery Quarter (JQ), Birmingham.
Exhibition - Vulcans Forge

'Vulcans Forge' showcases photographs of a two year project from 1977 by Janine Wiedel, taken in and around Birmingham's industrial heart.
Our Rooftop Microfarm

In 2017 Argent College students and staff established a “microfarm” on the rooftop, providing produce for the college kitchen and Hive Café.
Event - The Real Junk Food Project Central

Join us for a new monthly takeover of The Hive Café by the The Real Junk Food Project Central
The Hive wins GOLD

We are delighted to announce that the Hive Café and Bakery has won Gold at the national 2020 VisitEngland Awards. During an online ceremony, the Hive claimed the top prize in the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism category, recognising tourism businesses committed to being sustainable, responsible and ethical in how they operate and interact with customers, the wider community and the environment.
Researching the past; volunteers delve into the archives

One of our volunteers Surura tells us a little bit about her journey to discover more about our building and neighbouring buildings in the Jewellery Quarter.

Plan your visit

The International Festival of Glass takes place at venues across the Stourbridge Glass Quarter. Entry to all Festival venues is free, however some activities and events will have a charge.
Hive Cafe and Bakery

The Hive Cafe and Bakery provides a warm welcome in the heart of Birmingham's famous Jewellery Quarter, with delicious pastries, cake, bread and meals. Come and visit us. Try our coffee! Please visit us at The Hive subsite. www.thehiveJQ.org
Why we exist
Freeman Biodynamic Garden at High Riggs

Located in Stannington bordering the Peak District the Freeman Biodynamic Garden provides fruit and vegetables for Freeman College, Brantwood Specialist School and the Fusion Café.
Our story

The seeds of Ruskin Mill Land Trust were sown in 1967 when Robin and Barbara Gordon transplanted their young sons Aonghus and Alisdair from the hothouse of the Ruskin Centre for Art Appreciation in Venice to the cold frame of a dilapidated former textile mill in Gloucestershire.
Merlin Theatre

Transforming the Merlin Theatre has enriched the cultural life of Sheffield and provided cultural venue for Freeman College and Brantwood Specialist School..
Vale Head Farm

Vale Head Farm was an equestrian centre when we purchased it, and over the years hard work has seen it bloom into a beautiful biodynamic farm.
British Glass Biennale 2019 - selected artists

The Ruskin Mill Land Trust, in association with the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers, is delighted to announce the artists for the 2019 British Glass Biennale exhibition. Over two days an expert panel of judges chaired by Róisín de Buitléar and comprising of Dr Jane Cook, Monica Guggisberg, Angel Monzon, and Cathy Shankland, selected the very best of this year’s entries, all of which achieved a very high standard.
Aonghus Gordon MEd, FRSA, Executive Chair

Aonghus has a distinguished track record of development and leadership of several ground-breaking charities that provide high quality environments and opportunities for people with disabilities. He is passionate about the need for people to break out of dependency and marginalisation, believing that everyone has the potential to shape their own future.
2015 British Glass Biennale

2015 British Glass Biennale