A popular town festival returns to its full glory soon.
Cockermouth Live! will take place on July 1 to 3 and has lots of music, drama and art on offer.
“We’re really pleased with the level of support from individuals and organisations as we celebrate the wealth of talent that our small town is bursting with,” said chairman Bob Pritchard.
“With music in all genres, from classical to reggae, filling the town from Wordsworth House to the castle this promises to be an exciting and joyful occasion."
But it’s not only music. The Fit’n’Active Drama Group has been working hard on their sketch show which will be staged in St Joseph’s Church.
The Kirkgate Youth Theatre will present two short plays based on Wordsworth narrative poems. And Poets Out Loud will be sharing spoken words and poetry in Wordsworth’s childhood home. The artists of EVANWest will be displaying their creations in shop windows.
There will be family art workshops, people can have a go at Scottish country dancing or tell their Wainwright Tales.
Many festival favourites return. The Mechanics Band will play in the castle, providing a rare opportunity to see what lies beyond the gates.
School choirs, All Saints Rock Squad, the Castlegate Singers and Cockermouth Ukuleles will all be entertaining the crowds.
There will be mellow jazz at Shills’, folk and reggae at The Moon & Sixpence. Dave Camlin’s Wild Chorus a-capella choir will appear with their installation of willow creatures.
"An innovation this year is the town piano in Kings Arms Lane," said Bob. "We're inviting everyone to have a go."
While on the Steinway Grand in the United Reformed Church, 15-year-old Ruvin Meda will perform pieces from Bach to Gershwin.
Ruvin started his musical journey as a pupil at Fairfield Primary School, having fallen in love with classical music around the age of six.
Ruvin, who now lives in Surrey but regularly spends time in Cumbria with family, has recently secured a place to study the piano and music composition at the junior conservatoire in Guildhall, London.
“We’re delighted to be able to give a platform to this talented youngster,” said Bob. "Our festival is all about encouraging talent and celebrating the love of music in all its forms and genres.
"All the Saturday daytime performances and activities are free."
This year’s headline acts start on Friday night at The Kirkgate with Alfie Moore, whose show “It’s a Fair Cop” has been a great success on Radio 4. As Alfie, the ex-policeman, relates stories and anecdotes from his days on the wild streets of Scunthorpe, the audience are challenged with the real moral dilemmas that police offices face everyday.
The Festival is rounded off by the 50-strong Papcastle Community Orchestra with a popular programme from ABBA to Bacharach.
Full details at www.cockermouthfestival.org.
HAVE YOUR SAY: https://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/20195307.say-cockermouth-post-office-plans/
FUN DAY A BIG SUCCESS: https://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/20194615.hundreds-children-enjoy-host-activities-thanks-bee-unique/
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