The former Derwent Athletics Club Building was originally a temporary classroom, built after the war to accommodate more pupils in the original All Saints School, Cockermouth. So historically part of what is now the Kirkgate Centre. The building was never designed to have lasted so long, and with asbestos in its fabric and the condition deteriorating over the years it …
Press Release: It’s Time to get Creative at the Kirkgate!
Summer’s approaching and now’s the time to get creative with Kirkgate Arts and Heritage! Over the coming months, the centre has organised a range of writing, craft and cooking workshops for people to learn new skills with a team of experienced and knowledgeable tutors. For example, Jacqui Currie MA, a Cockermouth-based Lecturer in Creative Writing for the Open University, is …
Kirkgate Quarter Chronicle : April 2024
Welcome to the April 2024 edition of the Kirkgate Quarter Chronicle. The March winds seem to have arrived a little late this year! We’re glad to say the daffodil displays are holding fast to our railings, and through the town- wonderful to see a splash of bright spring colour. As this month sees the birthday of William Wordsworth, we thought we …
John Reynolds
West Cumbrian John worked as a journalist in the county for over 20 years before taking up the role of Head of Communications at Allerdale Borough Council in 2000. He left Allerdale to join Sellafield Ltd, initially as Head of Media Relations and then subsequently as Head of Emergency Communications. Prior to retirement in 2022, he worked on secondment from …
Christine Slater
I grew up in West Cumberland but moved away to go to college and eventually ended up in Glasgow, where I was a researcher at the University for many years. Glasgow was where I developed a taste for live theatre and music, and I particularly enjoy them in smaller venues. When I retired, I returned to West Cumbria and bought …
Press Release: New chapter opens up for popular Literature Festival
Writing workshops, author interviews and a poetry open mic session are on offer alongside explorations of the power of music, the joys of cold-water swimming and even an alien-making class at the Kirkgate Literature Festival next week! Cockermouth’s Kirkgate Centre plays host to the two-day festival on Saturday, March 23, and Sunday, March 24, following on from the success of …
Kirkgate Quarter Chronicle : March 2024
Welcome to the March 2024 edition of the Kirkgate Quarter Chronicle. It’s great to see the sun shining and the spring bulbs starting to bloom, Easter is just around the corner swiftly followed by the birthday of Cockermouth’s most famous son, William Wordsworth (born on April 7th, 1770). Soon the town will be awash with daffodils thanks to Cockermouth Rotary Club, as from …
Press Release: Celebrating Kafka’s legacy: Innovative adaptation of The Metamorphosis comes to The Kirkgate
2024 marks 100 years since the death of Franz Kafka, one of the most celebrated and influential authors of the 20th Century. Winchester based Mild Peril Theatre present a new adaptation of the classic story of The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka at The Kirkgate Centre, Kirkgate, Cockermouth. Saturday 16th March at 7.30pm, tickets £12 – £14 from the box office …
Press Release: Discovering the history and heritage of Cockermouth and its people
Discovering the history and heritage of Cockermouth and its people A fascinating project that celebrates Cumbria’s diverse heritage by capturing personal experiences through a series of oral history workshops arrives in Cockermouth on Saturday (March 2). In My Shoes is a series of events featuring storytelling and performances held in community centres across the region aimed at inspiring people to …
Kirkgate Quarter Chronicle : February 2024
Welcome to the February 2024 edition of the Kirkgate Quarter Chronicle. Love is in the air this month… We’re in the midst of wedding preparations here at the centre this week, as Ellie and Kieran transform the Kirkgate. There’s fairy lights, a glitterball, beautiful flowers and more… We’ll be sharing stories and photographs from their big day in next month’s …