Cockermouth charity Kirkgate Arts and Heritage has won a major 3-year grant from Arts Council England to support its work in small community venues throughout West Cumbria. Arts Out West, which the charity runs with the help of volunteers at over 20 West Cumbrian village halls, community centres, libraries and schools, has been chosen as one of the Arts Council’s …
Kirkgate Exhibition Tells Fascinating Story of Strawberry How
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 …
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 …
Cockermouth Children Explore West Cumbria’s Cultural Heritage
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 …
Public Art Show by Cockermouth Teens
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 …
Cockfrock returned to Kirkgate
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 …
Cockermouth’s Heritage
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 …
Windows to Arts and Heritage!
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 …
Make the Journey!
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 …