Kings Award for Voluntary Service
We are delighted to announce that we are one of the seven Cumbrian organisations who have received The Kings Award for Voluntary Service this year.
“Every day, millions of people across the UK are making a difference by volunteering. Each year, outstanding examples of this work are celebrated through the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).
Created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and previously known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), the Award has been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups from all across the UK for many years.
Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest Award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life.”
You can see a full list of the organisations receiving this prestigious award here.
Our volunteers celebrating the news!
The Kirkgate Centre is an entertainment and cultural venue at the heart of the lively community of Cockermouth, Cumbria.
We celebrate our local talent and heritage, and bring top quality professional entertainment to our town and many other communities across the area to the west of the Lake District National Park.
Whether you enjoy films on a big screen, live music, theatre, exhibitions, shows for children and families or community events, Kirkgate has something for everyone. Our quirky character makes us a special venue for weddings, parties, festivals and conferences.
Our mission:
“Creative talent is valued, developed, and supported with opportunities for all to actively engage with and enjoy the arts, our local heritage and community life”
Our values:
Commitment – Our staff and volunteers are dedicated to delivering our mission.
Inclusion – We aim to make art, heritage, and culture accessible to all our communities.
Sustainability – We aim to ensure that the organisation is secure for future generations from both financial and environmental perspective.
Nurturing – We aim to provide an environment that encourages growth, development of skills confidence and enjoyment for all.
WHAT’S ON
Guy Fawkes Mother
23rd March 2025 2:00pm (Doors open at 1:00 pm)
Kirkgate Centre
1612, King James of Scotland sits safely on the throne of England and the Gunpowder Treason Plotters have long since been executed. Everyone in the Kingdom celebrates November 5th. The day that remembers how King and Parliament narrowly escaped the infamous plot of 1605. Everyone celebrates by lighting bonfires, ringing bells and listening to special sermons. Except one woman. What ...
Jazz@Kirkgate: Tom Waits for no Man
23rd March 2025 7:30pm (Doors open at 6:30 pm)
Kirkgate Centre
Vocalist and composer Lindsay Hannon (“A voice soulful, brooding & unselfconscious in its longing” – Jazz Journal) has chosen and re-arranged a selection of songs from the legendary Tom Waits decades spanning back catalogue. From the tender nostalgia of 'Martha', the gospel infused 'Picture in a frame' and the variously, dark, comedic and lewd content of such numbers as 'Pasties ...
An Evening with Tango Calor @ Kirkstile Community Centre
23rd March 2025 7:30pm (Doors open at 7:00 pm)
Kirkstile Community Centre
Journey from the backstreets of Buenos Aires to the salons of Paris TangoCalorwas founded by bandoneon player Mirek Salmon (BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Welsh National Opera, Royal Shakespeare Company). It is a collective of musicians with a sharedlove of Argentinetangomusic. He is joined by guitar virtuoso Daryl Kellie described by D'Addario Strings as 'Truly Stunning' and wonderful multi instrumentalist ...
Cooking@Kirkgate Feast! Cooking demo with Manon Plouffe
26th March 2025 9:30am
Kirkgate Centre
Join us for a cooking demo with local chef Manon Plouffe from Wild Zucchinis to celebrate our Cooking at Kirkgate community cooking project. We will bring to you a colourful food demonstration concocted and simmered down from recipes that have been created in our new kitchen in the past two years. Like a little trip down memory lane, we will ...