Cockermouth’s Kirkgate Centre is 30 years old this year …. And a fabulous range of celebratory events are being lined up to mark the occasion!
With the centre’s main auditorium now back in action after a major refurbishment that took several weeks to complete, it’s all systems go for an anniversary year to remember.
Events already organised include:
- A 30th Anniversary Picnic at Cockermouth Castle on Sunday, June 1. Lord and Lady Egremont have kindly agreed to open the castle for a day of entertainment including music, magic, prose, poetry and tours of the castle plus afternoon tea (£30 per person).
- A 30th Anniversary Film Festival celebrating Cumbrian talent to run over three weeks in the summer. Films have been selected because of their local connections – Cumbrian stars, Cumbrian authors or writers, Cumbrian directors, Cumbrian locations, etc. Films will also feature from each year of the Kirkgate’s life. It runs from July 19 to August 17 and tickets will cost £30 for the full festival or £6.50 per individual screening.
- A 30th Anniversary Birthday Party on Saturday, October 11. This will include music from New Orleans style jazz band Alligator Gumbo served up with Cajun Creole food (£30 per person).
Other events organised to celebrate the Kirkgate’s birthday include a 30th Anniversary Exhibition to run for 10 days in October showcasing the building’s history, both before and after its conversion into the arts and heritage facility of today, and a raffle to be launched immediately (and drawn in October) with 30 substantial prizes on offer, including pieces of art, restaurant vouchers and a private musical concert!
Celebrations got underway last night (Friday) when staff, Kirkgate Friends and volunteers were invited to a special auditorium re-opening event, culminating in a showing of the fourth Bridget Jones film, Mad About The Boy. That also marked the return of the Kirkgate’s popular films programme, with Mad About The Boy showing to the public on Monday, April 7 and Wednesday, April 9.
Kirkgate Chief Executive Emma Heys said: “It’s fitting that the improvement works to the centre have been concluded in good time to start celebrating our 30th anniversary.
“We’re all very proud of the role that the centre has played in the cultural life of the area, along with the many people who have contributed to it over the years. Long may it continue and we look forward to celebrating with people throughout 2025 at the series of special events we have organised.”
Details on all Kirkgate Centre activities can be found here: Events Archive – Kirkgate Arts and Heritage
Alternatively, the box office can be contacted on 01900 829966.
ENDS …..
NOTES TO EDITORS
Kirkgate is a charity based in Cockermouth, Cumbria. It operates an arts and heritage centre as well as working with towns and villages in West Cumbria to encourage a diverse programme of arts, culture and entertainment. Its vision is to ensure that creative talent is valued, developed and supported with opportunities for all to engage actively with, and enjoy, the arts, local heritage and community life.
The Kirkgate Centre brings the best cultural, theatrical and entertainment events to Cumbria. From the best feature and documentary films to live streaming of top London shows, to local talent, heritage exhibitions, music, theatre, comedy and more, there is something for everyone.
In the historic Kirkgate Quarter of the Gem Town of Cockermouth, sitting on the edge of the Lake District National Park, the Kirkgate Centre is the perfect venue for special occasions, conferences, meetings, courses, exhibitions or private film screenings.
Kirkgate manages Arts Out West which stages performances in community venues from Furness to the Solway, ranging from nationally-recognised theatre companies to international musicians with events that are as much a social occasion as a performance. It is a member of the National Rural Touring Forum supported by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation.
Follow @kirkgatearts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
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