Children at Cockermouth’s All Saints Primary School have discovered that an internationally renowned 20th century artist whose work is in many leading art galleries was born in the town. Her connection to Cockermouth has largely been forgotten. Dorothy Bradford (née Bassano) was born in 1918, the daughter of a Cockermouth art teacher. Her story came to light while the children …

Talented young artists from Cockermouth School are showing their work in a special new exhibition, free to the public, to be held at the town’s Kirkgate Centre. The exhibition, ‘Step Aside Words!’ is open between 10am and 3pm every day from Saturday 28 May to Tuesday 31 May. Refreshments are available. Nicola McMullen, Head of Art at Cockermouth School, said …

On 14th and 15 May @ the Kirkgate Theatre, Cockermouth’s legendary shopping experience returned! Ticket price for Saturday included a glass of Prosecco! Did you know… Fashion production makes up 10% of humanity’s carbon emissions, dries up water sources, and pollutes rivers and streams. Plus a shocking 85% of all textiles go to the dump each year (UNECE, 2018).   So …

Kirkgate’s Cockermouth Heritage Group is showcasing our local history in monthly illustrated talks at the Kirkgate Centre.  With stories of our buildings, traditions, industry, talks have included the history of the local railway and of Moota Camp. One of the above images is of a Mahjong set made by Harry Dressler, a German Prisoner of War at Moota Camp during …

The Kirkgate Centre has certainly came a long way over the years… Thanks to the dedication of the community and staff, the centre has continued to thrive. Most recently we have had new windows installed which has improved the experience within the Egremont room. Thank you to Lord Egremont, the Lottery Awards for All Community Fund, and the Hadfield Trust …

This wonderful project encourages you to step out into nature as Dorothy Wordsworth would have herself over 200 years ago. Not sure how to begin? The National Trust has designed a walking and cycling route map, please see the links on our MAKE THE JOURNEY page Dorothy Wordsworth was inspired by her natural surroundings throughout her life, leading her to …

Can you help us raise money for the Kirkgate Centre? During the pandemic much has been developing within the Kirkgate to keep the centre up to date and serving the community’s needs. We have had an anonymous donation which has paid for half of the building to be painted, finally saying good bye to our glossy pinky/purple! We are now …

A lively Cockermouth charity with ambitious plans for the future is looking for a new chair to lead its Board of Trustees. Kirkgate Arts and Heritage runs Cockermouth’s Kirkgate Centre entertainment venue as well as a host of other arts and heritage activities throughout West Cumbria. The previous chair, Marion Bowman, is retiring after 8 years on the Board and …

Cockermouth’s community and entertainment venue, the Kirkgate Centre, has raised £17,000 to replace 13 of its large ground floor windows. The new windows have been custom-made by local firm Thomas Armstrong to the high standards required by the Conservation Area regulations that cover the historic centre of Cockermouth. ‘During the lockdowns of the past two years we have been working …

Two new Trustees and a Company Secretary have been appointed at a popular Cockermouth charity. David Thomas, a retired NHS Finance Director who recently moved to Cockermouth, has joined the Board as Honorary Treasurer. Helen Hardy, Science Digital Programme Manager at the Natural History Museum in London, will help develop Kirkgate’s local history collection. Cockermouth resident Rob Higgins, a solicitor …