A new exhibition opening in Cockermouth next week (October 26th) relates the fascinating history of the Strawberry How site, a location well-known to generations of the town’s schoolchildren. The Story of Strawberry How is being presented by Kirkgate Arts and Heritage at the town’s Kirkgate Centre from Wednesday, October 26 to Sunday, October 30 (11am to 4pm daily, closing early …
Maryport Children Explore Seafaring Heritage
Children at a Maryport infants school are working with an award-winning Cumbrian artist to learn about the maritime heritage of their town. The children at Netherton school start work on September 22 with artist Celia Burbush exploring the trades and traditions that supported Maryport’s seafaring history. The activity is part of a major project run by the Cockermouth-based charity Kirkgate …
Emma Heys: General Manager
Emma was born in West Cumbria where her mother ensured she was exposed to as many aspects of the arts as the rural location allowed. After completing a degree in Textile Management at Leeds University she has worked within many aspects of the textiles industry from manufacturing and retail to supply chain management. Emma has always loved to travel and …
Press Release: It’s Cockfrock Time Again
Cockfrock, Cockermouth’s ever-popular fashion shopping extravaganza, is back! The annual two-day sale of pre-loved, good-quality ladies’ fashion takes place at the town’s Kirkgate Centre later this month (Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30). The event is a chance for local people to find a buyer for items they no longer wear. Anyone can sell their clothes and all sellers …
Dorothy Wordsworth to Light Up Cumbria’s Christmas
A specially commissioned artwork representing Dorothy Wordsworth is to be part of the town centre Christmas lights in Cockermouth, Cumbria. The ‘Portrait of Dorothy’ is being switched on at a major outdoor event on November 21. The portrait is a light installation that will stand on a temporary plinth in the middle of Cockermouth’s Main Street near Wordsworth House where …
Jocelyn West: Finance & Administration Officer
Jocelyn started working at the Kirkgate in 2009. Prior to this she had been a volunteer, first in the very early days serving interval coffee and later working in the box office. She grew up in Cockermouth and attended school at All Saints (now Kirkgate) – she is pleased that at least we now have indoor toilets! Her work background …
Katie Gentry: Operations Manager
Katie grew up in Cockermouth and, after a few years away in various roles and cities, moved back in 2003. She started volunteering at the Kirkgate Centre in 2014 in the box office, with the music programming group and the Friends of the Kirkgate fund raising committee. Always willing to get stuck in, it wasn’t long before she started assisting …
Helen Johnston: Community Projects Officer
After graduating with a degree in archaeology, Helen worked as a volunteer manager for different health, youth and disability charities. In more recent years she has been running community arts and heritage projects, focusing on projects that involve local people and highlight the stories from the past that are often overlooked. Helen grew up in Cockermouth and always planned to …
Rob Higgins: Chair
Rob is a Cockermouth resident who has a background in nuclear engineering and legal services. He acts as the Trust’s Chair.
Sue Moses
A native West Cumbrian, Sue has always lived in the area, apart from time studying Business Studies and Modern Foreign Languages at Newcastle Polytechnic. Returning to Cockermouth, Sue worked as PA to the Board of Directors at Millers Footwear Limited in Cockermouth, until its closure in 1990. Then followed a ten year stint in the hospitality industry, working as Conference …