Taste of the Lake District Exhibition

Exhibition will tell the story of brewing’s importance to Cockermouth Final details have been confirmed ahead of the launch of an exhibition at Cockermouth’s Kirkgate Centre chronicling the fascinating history of beer and brewing in the town. The Cockermouth Heritage Group has been exploring the origins of brewing as a cottage industry in the town up to the closure of …

Time to celebrate with Andrea Bocelli!

Music lovers in Cockermouth will get the opportunity to help world-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli celebrate his 30-year career later this month. Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration (PG) is a musical extravaganza filmed over three days in a breathtaking natural amphitheatre, the Teatro del Silenzio (Theatre of Silence), in the singer’s hometown of Lajatico, Tuscany. The film captures Andrea in …

Press Release: Arts Council Capital Funding Project well underway

Work has begun on an ambitious project at the Kirkgate Centre in Cockermouth. With funding awarded through last year’s round of the UK shared prosperity fund, the centre now has a fully refurbished lift, improved lighting and soon (thanks to investment from this year’s round of the same fund) an accessible WC on the first floor. “This marks the completion …

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 …

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 …