Press Release: Discovering the history and heritage of Cockermouth and its people

Participants wanted to help celebrate Cumbria’s diverse heritage An ambitious 18-month project that aims to share and celebrate West Cumbria’s diverse culture and heritage is looking to hear from more local people as it enters its final phase. Organised by Kirkgate Arts and Heritage based in Cockermouth, In My Shoes kicked off in April 2023 and runs until this September. …

Press Release: Athletics Club building demolition plan approved

Athletics Club building demolition plan approved Plans to demolish a former athletics club base adjacent to Cockermouth’s Kirkgate Centre have been approved by Cumberland Council. Demolition is due to commence on Monday, July 1 and will signal the latest stage in ambitious plans to develop a new home for a heritage collection showcasing Cockermouth’s history. Kirkgate Arts and Heritage Group …

  • Cumbria's Lord Lieutenant Alexander Scott presents Kings Award Voluntary Service

Press Release: Kirkgate Arts Awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service

NEWS RELEASE Cockermouth’s Kirkgate Arts and Heritage has been presented with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK. The Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, Alexander Scott, handed over the award to Rob Higgins, Chair of the Kirkgate’s Board of Trustees, at a special celebration event attended amongst others by Kirkgate volunteers, staff …

Press Release: £220,000 awarded from Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme

£220,000 awarded to Kirkgate Arts & Heritage in Cockermouth from Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme · Kirkgate Arts & Heritage in Cockermouth to benefit from a share of £24.2 million through Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme · The organisation will use the funds to improve the energy efficiency of the Kirkgate Centre, with new lighting throughout (including replacing …

Press Release: Planned demolition of the former Derwent Athletics Club

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 …

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 …