A new community heritage project will celebrate Cockermouth’s brewing history.
Cockermouth Heritage Group will be exploring the origins of brewing as a cottage industry in the town up to the closure of Jennings Brewery and the effect that has had on the local community with a series of free events and an exhibition.
The project will be running until the end of December, with events leading up to an exhibition about the history of Jennings Brewery at The Kirkgate Centre from December 6 to 16.
The Beer and Brewing in Cockermouth Project has been funded by the Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Kirkgate Youth Theatre, for young people between 10 and 18 years old, is working on performances inspired by the history of brewing for the project. Members will be showcasing their work at their show in December.
Talks include:
Beer and brewing in Cockermouth with Phil Tattershall
Monday November 11, 6pm
Phil Tattershall will be talking about beer and brewing, as well as sharing some stories from Jennings Brewery in Cockermouth. Phil was a tour guide at Jennings Brewery from 2005 until COVID put an end to the tours in 2020.
Tales of a pub landlord with Joe Fagan
Monday December 9, 6pm
Joe Fagan will be sharing his experiences as a pub landlord in Cockermouth. Well-known in the town, Joe was the landlord first at The Bush on Main Street in 2009, and then The Swan on Kirkgate, from 2016 until his retirement earlier this year.
Cockermouth Crack
As part of the project, Kirkgate Arts and Heritage is launching the new Cockermouth Crack reminiscence group, on November 7 and December 5 from 1pm to 3pm.
A time to chat and share memories about Cockermouth’s past over a cup of tea/coffee. From food to school days, to work and travel and all sorts in between. There will be photos and artefacts from the Cockermouth Heritage Collection for people to have a look at. Free and open to all, you don’t have to be ‘local’ to join in, no need to book, drop in when you can.
Did you work at Jennings, or one of the pubs in Cockermouth? Or are you related to someone who did?
The group wants to hear your stories and memories. They’d also love to see any photos, memorabilia, scrapbooks and more you might have at home … They might even include some of them in the Brewing in Cockermouth exhibition in December.
Two drop-in sessions on October 22 between 1pm and 3pm or 6.30pm to 7.30pm.
There will be a few beer and pub-related items from the heritage collection to look at.
Details about all the events are at https://kirkgateartsandheritage.org.uk/
For more information about the project and the events, contact Helen Johnston, community projects officer, at [email protected] or ring 01900 829966
