Press Release: New chapter opens up for popular Literature Festival

Writing workshops, author interviews and a poetry open mic session are on offer alongside explorations of the power of music, the joys of cold-water swimming and even an alien-making class at the Kirkgate Literature Festival next week! Cockermouth’s Kirkgate Centre plays host to the two-day festival on Saturday, March 23, and Sunday, March 24, following on from the success of …

Press Release: Celebrating Kafka’s legacy: Innovative adaptation of The Metamorphosis comes to The Kirkgate

2024 marks 100 years since the death of Franz Kafka, one of the most celebrated and influential authors of the 20th Century. Winchester based Mild Peril Theatre present a new adaptation of the classic story of The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka at The Kirkgate Centre, Kirkgate, Cockermouth. Saturday 16th March at 7.30pm, tickets £12 – £14 from the box office …

Press Release: Discovering the history and heritage of Cockermouth and its people

Discovering the history and heritage of Cockermouth and its people A fascinating project that celebrates Cumbria’s diverse heritage by capturing personal experiences through a series of oral history workshops arrives in Cockermouth on Saturday (March 2). In My Shoes is a series of events featuring storytelling and performances held in community centres across the region aimed at inspiring people to …

Press Release: Arts Out West programme brings a touch of music and magic

Music, magic, myths and medieval mayhem all combine to highlight theArts Out West programme of village hall theatrical activities for thefirst half or 2024!Kirkgate Arts Out West is the Rural Touring arm of Cockermouth’sKirkgate Arts and Heritage, serving a large area of West Cumbria fromNorth to South.Each year, it stages around 60 performances in venues from Furness tothe Solway, ranging …

Press Release: Roll up for a crafty time at the Kirkgate!

Spaces are filling up fast for the latest in the series of craft workshops organised by Cockermouth’s Kirkgate Centre. Three sessions will take place in February, focusing on: · Linocut (Saturday, February 3); · Willow Weave Bird Feeder (Saturday, February 10); · Punchneedle (Saturday, February 24). Although the Linocut session, led by Vega Brennan on February 3, is now sold …

Kirkgate Quarter Chronicle : December 2023

Welcome to the December 2023 edition of the Kirkgate Quarter Chronicle. What an amazing year for Kirkgate Arts & Heritage! At the Kirkgate Centre we’ve seen over 160 big screen events, over 50 live music performances plus exhibitions, table top sales, theatre shows, Cockfrock events, workshops and more over the last 12 months. It’s no wonder all our volunteers and staff …

Press Release: Kirkgate saves Christmas for Carlisle schoolchildren!

Kirkgate saves Christmas for Carlisle schoolchildren!School children in Carlisle will enjoy their annual helping of Christmascheer despite missing out on a trip to the city’s pantomime – thanks toCockermouth’s Kirkgate Centre! This year’s panto at the Sands Centre had to be cancelled after thediscovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the roofof the venue’s events space. However, the Kirkgate …

Press Release: Discovering the history and heritage of Wigton and its people

NEWS RELEASE Immediate: December 1, 2023 A unique project that celebrates Cumbria’s diverse heritage by capturing personal experiences through a series of oral history workshops arrives in Wigton next week. Called In My Shoes, a series of events featuring storytelling and performances is being held in community centres across the region aimed at inspiring people to come forward and share …