Kirkgate Quarter Chronicle May 2026

May is another month full of music at the Kirkgate, we’ve already had two superb live gigs and there’s another two to go. Did you make it along to Eabhal, or This Flight Tonight? Do get in touch and let us know what you thought, bands often ask us for your opinions on their visits too- it’s good to share a bit of feedback. Not during the performance if we can help it! little joke for the techies there… This month also sees the end of our recent sound engineering course, a massive well done to all those who participated, hopefully we’ll see you behind the desk at a gig very soon.

An extra big thank you to two of our sound engineering team- Kevin Farish, who put the training sessions together and has given up his time to share his skills and knowledge, and Chris Billinge, for bringing his band along to the final session giving our students the opportunity to put their training into practice for the very first time!

Last month we had our first ever fund raiser Jumble Sale, followed by a 90s Disco, and although the weekend involved a lot of work they were both really fun events! Huge thanks to everyone that donated, and to all you shoppers and boppers. Shall we do it all again sometime?

We held the weekend’s events after suggestions from our volunteers as to what they’d like to see on the calendar. Did you enjoy them too? Or do you have ideas for fun ways for us to use the building that could help put some extra pennies in the coffers.

We’ve got a town favourite returning to Kirkgate this month, Joe is back with his tasty wood fired pizzas! He’ll be parked outside the centre on Tuesday evenings for the summer months. Find out more here.

@Home@Kirkgate

As always Cockermouth Live are bringing some amazing music to the Kirkgate as part of their annual festival, alongside our very own Youth Theatre, in July. We hear from Kate Parry, former Manager at Kirkgate Arts, who is an integral part of the Cockermouth Live team. She’s hoping you might join in to help make this years festival the biggest and best yet.

These days, I’m a trustee of Cockermouth Festivals Group, the charity that runs the event each. There’s 9 of us on the organising group and we’re all involved in shaping the festival, but my role is specifically to manage the volunteers.  Cockermouth Live! is completely dependent on volunteers – we couldn’t make it happen without them.  Each year, volunteers act as stewards across the town, making sure performers have everything they need and audience members have a great experience.

This year, in its 15th incarnation, the festival is set to be bigger and better than ever!  We have more acts lined up to perform in more venues, from cafes to pubs, shops and churches.  That’s brilliant, but it does mean we need more volunteers than ever, too.  So if you have some time to give over the festival weekend, we would love to hear from you.

There’s no two ways about it, organising a festival is hard work!  But I love doing it. In particular, I love to see Cockermouth come alive with performers, visitors and local residents all enjoying the vibe.  Hearing music and laughter pouring out of every open doorway is a wonderful thing and it makes me really proud of our town.  There aren’t many places that can field such a lot of talent.  I also love performing and this year I’ll be playing my bassoon with the Papcastle Wind Quintet and with Cockermouth Community Orchestra, on the Sunday night.

As well as providing a platform for local performers, we see Cockermouth Live! as a chance to bring brilliant acts to town from all over the world.  This year I can’t wait see Yoko Pwno, the big Scottish folktronica band playing at the Kirkgate Centre on Saturday night.  It’s going to be another belter!’

Cockermouth Live! 2^nd to 5^th July 2026

Can you spare some time to help Cockermouth Live! go with a swing this year?  We are looking for around 20 new people to join our crew of volunteers.

Our volunteer stewards are asked to be present in one of the many venues around town, to help answer questions from the public and to ensure the performers have everything they need.  All you need is to be friendly and helpful!  We will provide you with all the information and training you need.

We need volunteers across the weekend from the Thursday evening to the Sunday evening, with most shifts being over the Saturday and Sunday day times.  The minimum time commitment is one 3-hour shift, though most volunteers help with 2 or more shifts.

By volunteering you help make the festival possible, and you get to be part of a fabulous, friendly community event.  You’ll also:

• meet all kinds of lovely people – visitors, volunteer colleagues and performers
• hear loads of great music
• receive an invite to attend our exclusive festival launch on Thursday 2^nd July
• get a free ticket to our opening concert by the Paramount Brass Quintet at Christ Church, Thursday 2^nd July

Applicants need to be 18 years or over.

If you’d like to join us, please complete our registration form by clicking on the button below, and we’ll be in touch.

Fund Raising @Kirkgate

We have the most adorable sounding fund raising event to share with you!

One of our regular activities at the centre is on a Thursday morning, with Baby Sensory West Cumbria hosting sessions for little ones to enjoy with a parent. Later this month they will also be doing their bit to help raise money for Tommy’s. Read all about it below…

Children will be sponsored to complete nine sensory challenges as they explore the vibrant sounds and rhythms of the Mediterranean fiesta. Families will be celebrating in their Baby Sensoryâ classes with music-making, clapping, dancing whilst raising money to help prevent miscarriage, stillbirth and preterm birth.

More than 30,000 babies and toddlers from across the UK will complete their challenges in their Baby Sensory and Toddler Sense classes nationwide during May. Challenges are adaptable and accessible for different children’s needs. For many it’s their first fundraising event, making it a special occasion as they help Tommy’s to support families during pregnancy and baby loss, and research treatments to prevent it.

The classes will provide a wide range of sensory experiences and activities that encourage babies and children to explore, play and learn while supporting the development of social, physical, emotional, creative and intellectual skills through fun, engaging and meaningful activities. During the sessions, families will create joyful moments that strengthen bonding and connection while creating lasting memories. Class Practitioners will also guide parents and carers to identify how activities support learning, enabling them to continue supporting their child’s learning and development at home.

Tommy’s is working to change this, investigating miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth at its specialist research centres and providing expert support and advice to families throughout the pregnancy journey.

The Baby Sensory and Toddler Sense Sensathon will help Tommy’s progress on its mission to make the UK the safest place in the world to give birth.

Vicky Davidson from Baby Sensory West Cumbria said:
“Our children across West Cumbria are going to amazing efforts to raise as much money as possible to fundraise for Tommy’s. We are so excited to see their brightly coloured party outfits as they complete their sensory challenges in their Baby Sensory class, fundraising to save other babies’ lives”.

The session will take place on Thursday 21^st May at The Kirkgate Centre, for which the Centre has very kindly donated their hire fee for the classes.

As of today, Baby Sensory West Cumbria has raised over £1,000 for Tommy’s, with two weeks still to go until the Sensathon class.

We’re delighted to be supporting this fund raising campaign, and we wish Vicky and the babies all the best for their day of challenges! If you would like to donate please visit the just giving page here.

Kirkgate History and Heritage

Not so much Kirkgate history this month, but a local legend a little way down the valley…

Have you heard of John Nicholas Size? He was a hotelier in the Lakes, who brought The Bridge Hotel to life back in the 1920’s after the building (formerly The Victoria Hotel) had been abandoned and fallen into disrepair. After joining the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society in 1927, he began writing about the history of the area, fascinated by the possible connection between Buttermere and the Norse landowner Bueth.

Legend has it that Jarl Buthar (Bueth?) (a semi-mythological Norse leader) had led a 50 year resistance against the Norman invaders in the 12th century. One fateful day his army lured the Norman Army, led by Ranulph le Meschin, down into the valley where they were slaughtered, their bloody remains giving rise to the sea of bluebells- the only trace of their visit.

Kirkgate Quarter

In this month’s Chronicle we wanted to help shine a light on a community led venture that’s looking to bring something totally new to the town.

For years there has been a lack of outdoor activity spaces for younger residents. We remember the days of the Trim Trail in Harris Park but that has long since gone! Sadly the town has never had anywhere dedicated to bike riding or skateboarding, but thanks to the determination of some Cockermouth residents that looks set to change with Cockermouth Bike and Skate. Find out more below.

My two girls learnt to ride at pump tracks around Cumbria, these facilities gave them the confidence to become independent and to see bike riding as a fun activity within a safe community space. I wondered why Cockermouth didn’t have anything and naively asked for it to be raised at the Town Council meeting, little did I realise that I needed to own and present this idea. A quick Facebook post later established that there seemed to be strong support and it is actually something people have been wanting for generations.

Over the last 4 years we have registered as a charity and undertaken lots of behind the scenes work to confirm the support for a facility, identify potential sites and then assess their technical suitability. We have now identified Bellbrigg Lonning as our preferred location to focus on for detailed public engagement to determine if it is a viable location and the scale and scope of what might be achieved. We hope to start this work later this year.

What keeps me motivated? As well as watching the joy of kids using these facilities and the confidence and life skills they develop while doing it, it is this quote from a young bike rider

“I just want somewhere I can ride my bike without getting into trouble”

Such a simple request, and I think we owe it to the young people of Cockermouth to support the development of a safe space that is free to use and access so they no longer have to improvise in car parks or down main street putting themselves and others at risk.

Why progress is so slow and why don’t you see more activity? The honest answer is time!  All four charity trustees have young families, jobs and the usual life commitments and chaos. We fit in as much as we can when we can, but if anyone reading this feels inspired to help and support we would love to hear from you, any skills, time or connections are useful.

To find out more please look at our Facebook page or website cockermouthbikeandskate.co.uk and If you can support us in anyway please get in touch admin@cockermouthbikeandskate.co.uk‘

EMMA’S LETTER

The seller codes for our Cockfrock events always sell out quickly, so if you missed out this time get on the website and book in for Autumn, when we’ll be once again transforming the centre into a second hand ladies fashion boutique. You can find out more here.

Did you see the article in the Times and Star recently? All about our improvements to the building in the last year or two. We’ve come such a long way, and feel proud as punch of our humble arts centre and it’s facilities. There are always compromises in an old building, and difficult decisions along the road to modernisation, but we think you’ll agree that she’s never looked better.

There are no doubt more challenges to come, but our 100+ strong team of volunteers and small in number (but infinitely adaptable!) staff team are ready to step up and make it all happen.

Onwards and upwards!

Emma Heys
Chief Executive