Kirkgate Quarter Chronicle February 2025

It’s almost half term and the bulbs are just starting to pop their heads above the ground after their winter slumber. We’re looking forward to a colourful spring outside the centre – with daffodils and crocuses that our volunteers planted, thanks to Cockermouth Rotary for supplying the bulbs.

The auditorium work is progressing well, with ductwork now being installed ready for the new ventilation system, and final decisions on stage lighting fixtures being made as I type.

Ok… so the above image might be a touch more than we can cope with at the Kirkgate! However it will be a much more flexible and dynamic rig, with future-proof infrastructure to make sure we keep up with the times. We can’t wait for the moving heads to be installed- how exciting!! The design has been carefully considered, to allow us more scope for further improvements to lighting in the auditorium space.

It’s torture waiting for the work to be finished, but will be worth it in the end!
The exciting world of theatre… just take a look at our shiny new ducting!! Currently being installed in our auditorium roof void. We promise the pictures of the lighting rig and redecoration will be prettier!
A DAY IN THE LIFE

The Cockermouth Heritage Group has been evolving! We continue to host regular meetings of the group, for planning exhibitions and working on the collection of images and artefacts, but this year the group has set up another regular meeting. Cockermouth Chat is for anyone with an interest in local heritage, coming together to share memories, stories and enjoy a cup of tea (and biccies)!

This month we’d like to introduce you to Stan Leigh, the group’s secretary, who keeps everyone in the loop with upcoming meetings. He’s also presenting one of the upcoming Heritage Talks…
‘I’m originally from The Wirral, but have lived in Papcastle since 1992. Married to Frances, we have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. Joined the Heritage Team at The Kirkgate in Autumn 2023 and have enjoyed the companionship and projects that have been undertaken.

From 1974 to 2009, my career was in the nuclear industry with BNFL/Sellafield Ltd. and LLW Repository Ltd at Chester, Annan, Warrington, Sellafield Construction and Drigg] in Human Resources/Administration roles.
I lead the Cockermouth Striders Walking Group, a group of friends – we undertake local walks, and enjoy  exercise, friendship, views and seek out local history. Our first walk of the 2025 season is the Cockermouth Mill Trail in March. The walk is based on the ‘Watermills of Cockermouth’ leaflet developed by the Kirkgate Heritage Group. Walks at Barrow Fell, Caldbeck, Aughertree Fell & Uldale follow with others on a monthly basis through to December.

I have enjoyed road running and racing in the past. A regular at 10K, Half Marathon and few marathons. Now walks in The Lakes/Cumbria are our regular outings and are featured on Facebook.
I was a regular writer for Cockermouth Post until it’s closure in 2020. I led and organised a celebration for for the Christ Church’s 150th Anniversary in 2015 and produced a timeline of events from 1865.

In 2024, I undertook a series of presentations to local groups at Eaglesfield, Embleton, Papcastle, Workington History Group and The Kirkgate on ‘Water Resources & Supply – the need to change from wells to reservoirs.

My ‘Exploring Carlisle’ presentation features photographs of a Carlisle History Tour, a Three Rivers Walk, the Blank Wall Assassins Street Art Project, recent steam locomotive visits to The Citadel Station. Also featured are the woodland nature reserves at Etterby and Engine Lonning, off Newtown Road, which were 2 of the locomotive sheds for Kingmoor and Canal.’
If you would like to find out more about volunteering with us at Kirkgate Arts visit our website.
KIRKGATE HISTORY AND HERITAGE

With Valentine’s Day almost upon us, many people’s thoughts turn to love, and couples wanting to tie the knot.  Courting couples have always proved a source of fascination for children, and an article in the West Cumberland Journal from nearly 60 years ago by Barbara Mackereth proves the point.  As a child she remembered Sunday walks, where they always took stock of the courting couples:

“Sunday evening was their acknowledged field day, and they naturally chose the quiet country roads and lanes for their love-making.  We were particularly interested in one middle-aged couple who always turned into a gateway at our approach, and studied the surrounding country intently, as if their interest in each other, and the fact that they should be found together, was of an accidental nature.  We awaited developments hopefully, but they were not a demonstrative couple.  We did manage to find out that she was a widow, but I do not remember if they eventually got married or not …”

People have always sent expressions of love to each other.  Even in the battlefields of France in WWI there was a thriving business in embroidered cards to be sent home to loved ones.
It’s interesting to look back at wedding photos of the past, comparing them with today’s photos, and note the change in fashions, degree of formality or informality.  Molly Jefferson of Hundith Hill married Captain T W Macdonald in 1914, and their wedding photo (taken at Hundith Hill) reflects the fashions of the day for wealthier people.  Sadly, Molly fell victim to the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918.  Her husband had served with distinction in France in WW1, having been mentioned in despatches three times, then injured, and later received the DSO medal from the King George V at Buckingham Palace, before his new wife died.
Molly Jefferson and Captain Macdonald on their wedding day in 1914.
In more rural communities people were sometimes invited to ‘bidden’ weddings (or ‘bridewains’), where a day full of celebratory events and feasting would be held after the wedding.  There might be wrestling, ‘lowping’ (leaping), running, horse-racing or dog-racing, with various prizes on offer.  For instance, Cumbria Archives has a newspaper advert from 1804, inviting people to the wedding of James and Elizabeth Baxter in High Lorton.  Prizes on offer there included a saddle, two bridles, a hat and a hunting-horn.  A good time was surely had by all.
Unknown wedding group taken in Lorton by Cockermouth photographer Fred Nainby 
Gloria Edwards

If you would like to find out more about the Cockermouth Heritage Group you can contact our community projects officer, Helen.
YOUR KIRKGATE
To celebrate thirty years of Kirkgate Arts we want to share your stories and memories of the centre too! If you have some pictures of times you have enjoyed here, or have a tale to share with us, perhaps meeting an artist you’re a fan of, or if you found a workshop or a class here particularly inspiring…

Let us know, share your stories with us. To send an article, however long or short, please contact katie@thekirkgate.com and if you can send over a photograph all the better- we love to see how the place has changed and evolved over the years.

THIS is lovely!
Perfect for our February Chronicle.
Thanks to Andy Cooney and Cath Howard for sharing their Kirkgate story with us…
“Andy started volunteering at the Kirkgate as a projectionist within a year of it opening, after moving to Cockermouth from Kent. I was approached by a friend of friend, Carol who said a new arts venue was setting up a cinema club and would I volunteer for it as front of house. The centre was just opening its doors and wanted to attract new members and I had moved back to Cumbria after studying &  traveling around South America. I remember the very early days, volunteering with Gill G, making sure the reels of film had been delivered and standing in front of the stage and selling popcorn (a nightmare to clean up afterwards).

As most of the cinema volunteers were younger and pre-children, we would go out for meals and drinks together. This group of friends even led to the infamous Quiz nights out at the Bitter End where our team won once to everyone’s amazement. After being involved for a few years, we were out one night having a few drinks, (possibly in the Swan or Bitter End), and Andy said he had sold his house but hadn’t completed on a new one and was looking for somewhere to rent. I was at that time living in a 2 bedroom bungalow and said he was welcome to come and stay. I didn’t really want rent so we agreed to Andy taking me out for dinner each week. Andy moved out to his new home and offered to house bands needing accommodation.  After seeing a rousing all girl, French punk band, we finally got together.
When we decided to get married, there was only one venue where we wanted to celebrate (i.e. party) at for the evening do. Hiring the Kirkgate and our friend, Pete’s ceilidh band led to a fabulous night surrounded by our Kirkgate friends and family.

That was over 17 years ago and the only reason I stopped being a cinema duty manager was that when I was heavily pregnant, I couldn’t get up and down the projectionist stairs easily!!

Andy went on to become volunteer Chair of the trustees and recruited Kate H as Centre Manager. I did a stint as licensee and on bar duty. Andy has become involved again as a band champion.

We still come to see bands and performances when we can and our youngest son has joined the Kirkgate Youth Theatre group whilst our eldest has done training in sound engineering.

The Kirkgate means a lot to Andy and i, it’s where we met but also where we made lifelong wonderful friends and fellow volunteers. Life just wouldn’t have been the same without it.

Above is our engagement photo taken by another lovely friend, Tim. NB we look a lot older now!”
EMMA’S LETTER
So much love in this month’s Chronicle! It’s brought at tear to my eye reading about Andy and Cath, and it just goes to show that you never know what’s the round the corner, or what adventures it might bring when you walk through that big red door!

We’ve had lots of wedding receptions at the centre over the years, each one has been unique. From Dr Who themed to an auditorium adorned with umbrellas! If you, or someone you know, are planning to tie the knot do have a look at our venue hire information, or get in touch with katie@thekirkgate to find out more. We’re perfectly placed for a reception after a town hall wedding ceremony.

Don’t forget to keep sending us your Kirkgate stories, and keep your eyes peeled for news of our 30th birthday celebrations! There are more events appearing on our website every day at the moment, so remember to have browse through our ‘what’s on’ guide now and again and see what takes your fancy.

Emma Heys
Chief Executive