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 local people and their communities, to mark the 80th anniversary.
It’s part of a £2 million national creative programme supported by the UK Government through Arts Council England, the Future Arts Centres and Libraries Connected initiative and will see 60 arts centres and libraries across Britain present community-led projects exploring the legacy of VE Day and VJ Day.
Kirkgate Arts and Heritage is working with two local artists, storyteller Jessie McMeekin and musician JP Worsfold, to create a community musical that will be performed by local people at Cockermouth’s Christmas Lights Switch-On on Sunday, November 23, and at The Kirkgate Centre in December.
And, in advance of that performance, a number of free workshops will take place shortly in which local people can play their part in the project’s development.
Kirkgate Chief Executive Emma Heys explained: “We are absolutely delighted to be selected as the sole project in Cumberland as part of the UK-wide ‘Our Freedom’ programme.
“Jessie McMeekin and JP Worsfold will create a community musical inspired by stories from Cockermouth at the end of the Second World War and in the post-war period, using research from the Cockermouth Heritage Collection, alongside reflections from the people living in the town today on what freedom means to them.
“We’re really excited to be working with Jessie and JP and can’t wait to see the final performance with the community in November and December.”
The first opportunity for local people to get involved is this Wednesday (September 17) when a Then And Now Writing Workshop will take place at the Kirkgate.
Kirkgate Community Projects Officer Helen Johnston said: “Everyone’s welcome to a session that will be creative, fun and thoughtful. Your ideas and stories will be used to inspire the community musical, which will also draw on our historical research into local people’s experiences at the end of the Second World War. The session is free, will last about two hours and refreshments are included.”
Anyone interested can register via the following link: https://thekirkgate.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873676770
Then, starting on Wednesday, September 24, a series of Sing For Freedom singing workshops will take place to enable local volunteers to learn brand new songs written by JP Worsfold for the community musical.
Helen said: “You don’t need to have any previous experience of singing in a choir and you don’t need to be able to read music. All you need to do is come along and to have fun singing with others in a relaxed and supportive space.”
The sessions will be led by JP along with fellow Cumbrian musician Dave Camlin and five singing workshops will take place in the weeks leading up to the Christmas Lights Switch-On performance.
Anyone interested in the singing workshops can register via: https://thekirkgate.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873677254
For more information, or to find out how you can get involved with the Kirkgate project, contact Kirkgate Community Projects Officer Helen Johnston on 01900 829966 or helen@thekirkgate.com. Details on all Kirkgate Centre activities can be found here: https://kirkgateartsandheritage.org.uk/whats-on/
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Future Arts Centres (FAC) is a national network of over 170 arts centres across the UK. FAC champions the role of arts centres as vital public spaces that foster creativity, community, and cultural expression. In 2023, FAC became a registered company and an Arts Council England IPSO, providing sector support and leadership.
“Our Freedom: Then and Now”, is part of a £2 million national creative programme marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Supported by the UK Government through Arts Council England, the Future Arts Centres and Libraries Connected initiative will see 60 arts centres and libraries across Britain present
community-led projects exploring the legacy of VE Day and VJ Day. It empowers artists, veterans and residents to explore themes of past and present freedoms through 60 creative projects, including exhibitions, performances and installations running from June to November 2025.
Kirkgate is a charity based in Cockermouth, Cumbria. It operates an arts and heritage centre as well as working with towns and villages in West Cumbria to encourage a diverse programme of arts, culture and entertainment. Its vision is to ensure that creative talent is valued, developed and supported with opportunities for all to engage actively with, and enjoy, the arts, local heritage and community life.
The Kirkgate Centre brings the best cultural, theatrical and entertainment events to Cumbria. From the best feature and documentary films to live streaming of top London shows, to local talent, heritage exhibitions, music, theatre, comedy and more, there is something for everyone.
In the historic Kirkgate Quarter of the Gem Town of Cockermouth, sitting on the edge of the Lake District National Park, the Kirkgate Centre is the perfect venue for special occasions, conferences, meetings, courses, exhibitions or private film screenings.
Kirkgate manages Arts Out West which stages performances in community venues from Furness to the Solway, ranging from nationally-recognised theatre companies to international musicians with events that are as much a social occasion as a performance. It is a member of the National Rural Touring Forum supported by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation.
Follow @kirkgatearts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
For more information:
Emma Heys 01900 829966 enquiries@thekirkgate.com www.kirkgateartsandheritage.org.uk
The Kirkgate Centre, Kirkgate, Cockermouth, CA13 9PJ