Cockermouth’s Kirkgate Centre is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and is marking the occasion with several events.
The centre’s auditorium has reopened following a refurbishment and the Kirkgate team are gearing up to celebrate in style.
Events already organised include a picnic at Cockermouth Castle on Sunday, June 1.
Lord and Lady Egremont have agreed to open the castle for a day of entertainment including music, magic, prose, poetry and tours of the castle plus afternoon tea.
There will also be a three-week film festival from July 19 to August 17 featuring movies with a local connection and a film from each year of the Kirkgate’s existence.
A birthday party will be held on Saturday, October 11, including music from New Orleans-style jazz band Alligator Gumbo served up with Cajun Creole food.
Other events include an exhibition showcasing the building’s history, both before and after its conversion into the arts and heritage facility and a raffle to be launched immediately and drawn in October with 30 substantial prizes on offer, including pieces of art, restaurant vouchers and a private musical concert.
Celebrations got underway on Friday when staff, Kirkgate Friends and volunteers were invited to a special auditorium re-opening event, culminating in a showing of the fourth Bridget Jones film, Mad About The Boy.
Kirkgate chief executive Emma Heys said: “It’s fitting that the improvement work to the centre have been concluded in good time to start celebrating our 30th anniversary.
“We’re all very proud of the role that the centre has played in the cultural life of the area, along with the many people who have contributed to it over the years.
“Long may it continue and we look forward to celebrating with people throughout 2025 at the series of special events we have organised.”
