Community musical to tell town's post-WW2 stories

Historical research into local people's experiences at the end of World War Two will be used to inspire the musical

A community musical will be written and performed by residents to tell their town's experiences of the end of World War Two.

Artists Jessie McMeekin and JP Worsfold will create the show inspired by stories from Cockermouth, in Cumbria, to mark 80 years since the end of the war.

The musical will be performed at the town's Christmas lights switch-on event in November and at the The Kirkgate Centre in December.

Free workshops will take place to allow people to contribute to the project and learn the songs written for the show.

Helen Johnston, community projects officer at the Kirkgate, said: "[People's] ideas and stories will be used to inspire the community musical, which will also draw on our historical research into local people's experiences at the end of the Second World War."

She said no previous experience or musical knowledge was needed to join.

Artists Jessie McMeekin and JP Worsfold will work together on the musical

The project is part of a nationwide scheme called Our Freedom: Then and Now, funded by the government and taking place across 60 community venues.

The Kirkgate is the only Cumbrian venue selected to take part.

Emma Heys, chief executive of the arts centre, said the artists will be using research from the Cockermouth Heritage Collection, alongside "reflections from the people living in the town today on what freedom means to them".

"We're really excited to be working with Jessie and JP and can't wait to see the final performance with the community," she said.