Preparations for an upcoming Heritage Open Day in Cockermouth were disrupted by what organisers feared could have been a blast from the past! Volunteers from the town’s Heritage Group and the Kirkgate Centre were helping to audit and re-pack artefacts held at the centre for next month’s event – when they came across a brass World War 2 artillery shell! …
Are you up for the challenge in the Great Big Kirkgate Quiz?
Quiz lovers in the Cockermouth area are gearing up for another big challenge at the Kirkgate Centre! The Great Big Kirkgate Quiz takes place at the town’s Kirkgate Centre on Saturday, September 5. The Big Quiz has become a hugely popular, biannual part of the Kirkgate’s programme with teams of up to six people battling it out for the prizes. …
The Kirkgate is hoping for some gain with its panes!
Lovers of Cumbria’s arts and heritage scene are being invited to buy into a little bit of local history if they ‘pay for a pane’ at Cockermouth’s Kirkgate Centre! The centre, based in what was a Victorian-era school in the heart of town, needs to launch an urgent fundraising effort to replace 40 windows to the side and rear of …
Kirkgate Quarter Chronicle May 2026
We’re well into bank holiday season, and bluebells haven’t let us down this year! Did you know that there’s a gruesome legend surrounding the beautiful display in Rannderale? Read more below. May is another month full of music at the Kirkgate, we’ve already had two superb live gigs and there’s another two to go. Did you make it along to …
Major improvement programme at Kirkgate Centre complete
A near £300,000 refurbishment programme at Cockermouth’s Kirkgate Centre is complete. An 18-month improvement project, with funding from a range of organisations, has allowed the Kirkgate to substantially upgrade the equipment and facilities at its town centre base – a converted Victorian primary school. To mark the event, representatives from one of the major funders, the Benny Walker Charitable Trust, …
The Kirkgate Centre popular monthly Crafts@Kirkgate programme
The Kirkgate Centre in Cockermouth’s popular monthly Crafts@Kirkgate programme led by professional artists is now up and running with all 2026 dates confirmed. This year’s series kicked off last month with Flower Painting for Beginners. It continues shortly with a Fused Glass Taster Session led by Roxanne Denny of RD Glass on Saturday, February 28 (2pm). Kirkgate Chief Executive Emma …
CockFrock Autumn Event
Cockfrock — Cockermouth’s ever-popular pop up sale of pre-loved ladies clothing and accessories — is back with another special pre-Christmas event! An annual two-day sale of pre-loved, good quality ladies fashion usually takes place at the town’s Kirkgate Centre each Spring. However, with Christmas not far away, organisers have again decided to stage an Autumn event next month to allow …
Kirkgate Quarter Chronicle October 2025
Kirkgate Quarter Chronicle October 2025 Autumn has well and truly landed, thank goodness for those double glazed windows and efficient boilers that we installed a few years back! Certainly feeling the benefit in recent weeks at the centre. It’s onwards and upwards with our funded work as technical details are now pinned down ready for our upgrade to digital sound …
Would you like to help The Kirkgate celebrate ‘Our Freedom’?
Cockermouth’s Kirkgate Centre has been chosen to participate in a nationwide arts and creative programme reflecting what freedom means to people, linked to the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Our Freedom: Then and Now is a new programme of community-based events in arts centres and libraries across the UK highlighting what ‘Our Freedom’ means to …
Time to cash in on that unused sporting equipment again
It’s time for another workout revamp! Cockermouth’s Kirkgate Centre will shortly be repeating its Kirk Kit sporting goods sales spectacular, the first one of which proved such a hit last year. Have you got any old bits of sporting equipment or clothing taking up valuable space in the cupboard or wardrobe? Then next weekend’s the chance to cash in on …