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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.”

https://kavs.dcms.gov.uk/

You can see a full list of the organisations receiving this prestigious award here.

Our volunteers celebrating the news!

 Celebrating Kings Award at Kirkgate Arts Cockermouth

Kirkgate Arts and Heritage Cockermouth Venue for Theatre Films Music 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

The Outrun (15)

4th December 2024 2:00pm (Doors open at 1:00 pm)

Kirkgate Centre

Category: Film

Extensively covered in the media due to its theme of alcohol addiction and as an early Awards contender due to the performance of Saorise Ronan “mesmorising” according to the Guardian. After living life on the edge in London and fresh out of rehab, Rona attempts to come to terms with her troubled past. She returns to the wild beauty of ...

Cockermouth Chat reminiscence group

5th December 2024 1:00pm

Kirkgate Centre

Category: Local History

A time to chat and share memories about Cockermouth's past over a cup of tea/coffee.From food to school days, to work and travel and all sorts in between. We'll have some photos and artefacts from the Cockermouth Heritage Collection out for you to have a look at. Free and open to all, you don't have to be 'local' to join ...

Taste of the Lake District Exhibition

6th December 2024 11:00am

Kirkgate Centre

Category: Local History

The Taste of the Lake District: Cockermouth, Beer & the Jennings Brewery Explore the history of brewing in Cockermouth and the leading role Jennings Brewery played in the town economically and socially in our latest exhibition. The exhibition has been curated by Charlotte Fairbairn working with volunteers from the Cockermouth Heritage Group. The exhibition will be open every day between ...

Small Things Like These (12A)

6th December 2024 7:00pm (Doors open at 6:00 pm)

Kirkgate Centre

Category: Film

An adaptation of the much acclaimed novella by Claire Keegan, which is best described as an unforgettable story of hope, quiet heroism and tenderness. A genuine Christmas film with a stand out cast including Cillian Murphy, Emily Watson, Ciarán Hinds and Michelle Fairley.
Testimonials

I remember fondly our time at the Kirkgate a couple of years ago, the warm and intimate atmosphere and the friendly welcome.

Kiki Dee

 The Kirkgate is my ideal venue. Intimate and warm, staffed by passionate folks who really care about The Arts and about their local community. It has a beating heart, even more so due to the eager enthusiastic volunteers who help run it.

Snake Davis

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Cockermouth and had a great evening at the Kirkgate, the venue and staff were fantastic. We look forward to returning sometime in the future.

Kevin Morris & Dr Feelgood