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
Silloth: The Puppet Musical! @ Silloth Library
20th March 2025 6:00pm (Doors open at 5:30 pm)
Silloth Library
Silloth: The Puppet Musical! Let’s make the show right here! A hands-on, hilarious, creative get-together where everyone can help create a new hit Musical. In this event you’ll get to make a puppet character to appear in a unique musical show that celebrates where you live.Our creative team take you on a fast, fun-filled journey to create the puppets and ...
An Evening with Tango Calor @ Maryport Settlement
20th March 2025 7:30pm (Doors open at 7:00 pm)
The Settlement Maryport
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 ...
Judie Boom: Apocalypse Kapow!
20th March 2025 8:00pm (Doors open at 7:00 pm)
Kirkgate Centre
Apocalypse Kapow: Life hacks for societal collapse! What’s wrong with robot overlords, anyway? Can you neutralize evil with a papier mache rocket? Help Judie Boom solve the big existential issues of our time with Youtube, Alexa and the correct choice of swim session. "I was totally there in that changing cubicle with her. She had us in stitches!" Armed with ...
Whitehaven: The Puppet Musical @ Whitehaven Library
21st March 2025 6:00pm (Doors open at 5:30 pm)
Whitehaven Library
Whitehaven: the Puppet Musical! Let’s make the show right here! A hands-on, hilarious, creative get-together where everyone can help create a new hit Musical. In this event you’ll get to make a puppet character to appear in a unique musical show that celebrates where you live.Our creative team take you on a fast, fun-filled journey to create the puppets ...