Exeter Lives: Joey Lee
Name: Joey Lee
And what do you do?
I run The Hub on the Green, a community hub at 8, Cathedral Close
How would you describe yourself in 5 words?
Happy, busy, bossy, greedy, enthusiastic
How would you describe Exeter in 5 words?
Home, friendly, creative, bustling, community-minded
What brought you to Exeter?
I was born here. I moved away for 13 years but returned when my daughter started school.
Which part of Exeter or the surrounding area is home?
I live right in the city centre.
What is your favourite place in Exeter?
Home
What is your favourite Exeter event?
I love Quirk Theatre’s christmas plays at the Phoenix. We go every year. I always book really early and get front row seats if we can. Just the thought of their crab fandango makes me smile.
What was the last live performance you saw in Exeter and where did you see it?
I went to see La Navet Bete’s Once Upon a Time in a Western at The Phoenix after it was recommended by someone at Unexpected Exeter’s Circus Sunday. It was very funny and much to my daughter’s delight I was chosen to be Francesca (front row seats weren’t such a good idea this time). I still had palpitations two hours later. I was very nervous.
Favourite place to eat out in or near Exeter?
I love the naff caff at Exmouth. We’ve always called it that. It’s not so naff now as the tobacco-stained walls and faded pictures of canal boats are long gone but the name has stuck. It’s really called Harbour View Cafe. When I first moved back to Devon I used to take my daughter there all the time. We are so lucky to live near beaches. I love to watch the sea from the warmth of the cafe but a brisk walk along the seafront followed by ham, egg and chips is a good way to blow the cobwebs away.
Best coffee in town?
I really like Devon Coffee for a cappuccino with toast and homemade jam and I like sitting in The Phoenix bar and watching the world go by.
Favourite pub?
I love playing games at The Bike Shed on a quiet night there. I like cosy pubs where you can hide in corners.
Favourite locally produced food or drink?
I am a big fan of Shillingford. We get them delivered to the hub which is so easy for me! Their vegetables taste amazing. We went loopy over their corn on the cobs and our butter intake went up dramatically.
Favourite shop?
I like going to places like Bunyip with Lottie to buy lots of little bits and pieces.
Favourite shopping area?
My daughter Lottie had the idea of walking in a straight line from Belmont Park, along Sidwell Street, Fore Street and down to St Thomas the other day. Sidwell Street & Fore Street have the most character.
Exeter Chiefs or Exeter City?
Oh no...neither. I would rather be doing something else. Oh except I would say Exeter City but not for their football matches but for the fact they are a fellow social enterprise so I know them well and they do great community work.
Beach or moors?
Beach
What or where is Exeter's best kept secret?
Can I say The Hub on the Green? We are hidden away in one of the most important medieval buildings to survive in the city, and apparently it is of national importance for the quality of its late-medieval false-hammer beam roof!!!Basically it is an amazing building dating from 1450s but equally as important to us is what we do on a day to day at the hub.
What one change would you like to see in Exeter?
It’s not really a change but I would love to see Exeter in the 1930s. I hear stories of places people visited before the war and it sounds so beautiful. Great Granny Betty tells us tales of her time in Exeter when she was a teenager and I would love a day with Betty back then.
Who is your local hero or heroine?
Wow! That’s a biggy. I have huge respect for Rob Wynne CEO of Magic Carpet. He’s been working with the vulnerable in Exeter for decades
Do you belong to any local clubs or societies?
No I don’t. The National Trust is the only one I can think of. I will work on joining more!
What are you up to next?
It’s the run up to Christmas with the Great Exeter Snazzy Snood Competition which is a follow up to The Great Exeter Tea Cosy Competition, we have our Cake & Craft Fairs and I am working on projects for some of the more vulnerable in Exeter. Oh and I need to work out how to heat the hub successfully through the winter.
If you have some top recommendations for who you would like to answer our Exeter Lives Q&A, or indeed if you would like to take part yourself, please email ted@thedailyuk.com
