A Cumbrian author has won a university award for her community work and literary achievements.
Jade Cookson, author of The Wordsworth Way Literary Walking Guide and a travel designer with Encounter Walking Holidays, has been named the University of Cumbria Alumnus of the Year 2026.
She was presented with the prize during a graduation ceremony at Carlisle Cathedral this week.
She was nominated by two staff members, including her tutor, Dr Penny Bradshaw, who is an associate professor of English literature and the MA in literature, romanticism and the English Lake District programme leader.
The award recognised Jade’s career achievements and community involvement in establishing the Wordsworth Way.
The project was completed in collaboration with the Friends of the Ullswater Way, Wordsworth Grasmere, the Lake District National Park Authority, Cumbria Tourism and local councils.
Born in Preston and now settled in Cumbria, Jade grew up in a family of fruit and vegetable wholesalers. She graduated with an undergraduate English degree from Liverpool John Moores University in 2015.
She later worked in customer service and trained as a swimming instructor before enrolling on the University of Cumbria MA in literature, romanticism and the English Lake District programme in 2023. She graduated from the Ambleside-based course in 2024.
During her studies, Jade worked with the Friends of the Ullswater Way on their new Wordsworth Way trail. The 14-mile route is split into four sections to celebrate the poet William Wordsworth.
The trail officially opened on April 7 2025 to coincide with the poet’s 255th birthday. Less than a year after graduating, Jade became a published author when she launched the walking guide, which was covered by international press.
Following her work, the Friends of the Ullswater Way invited Jade to join them as a trustee to help drive community-led projects across Cumbria.
Jade said: “I was quite shocked when I got the email to say you have been awarded alumnus of the year, I thought it had gone to the wrong person! It is lovely to be here.
“For me it was studying literature in the place that it was written, I think the master’s degree, Literature, Romanticism and The English Lake District, is really special and a really unique course because you do get to study poetry in the place it was written.
“I’d love to thank Penny and Paul, the tutors on the course, the support was invaluable and I learnt so much. I really loved my time at the University of Cumbria.”
Dr Bradshaw added: “Jade’s award is a fantastic achievement and truly deserved. She has taken the knowledge and skills gained on her MA and used these to produce a guidebook which celebrates the Lake District’s literary heritage while bringing real benefits to local communities.
“We are incredibly proud of all she has achieved and delighted to see her recognised as Alumnus of the Year.”
The University of Cumbria said: “The Alumnus of the Year award recognises the vital and substantial contribution University of Cumbria graduates make in their communities. Award recipients have made amazing impacts in their field, and they support and act as advocates for the university’s activities.”
The University of Cumbria Alumni Association is made up of over 85,000 graduates spanning the past 19 years of the University of Cumbria as well as its legacy institutions, Cumbria Institute of the Arts, St Martin’s College and Charlotte Mason College.
The Alumni Association grows in number each year and is made up of graduates worldwide. The aim is to keep graduates in touch with Cumbria and each other.
