Excitement is building as Cockermouth prepares to celebrate the return of its carnival.

Entries are still coming in to take part in the event next month, but it is shaping up to be one of the biggest staged in recent decades.

It has been resurrected after a five year absence by town councillors Julie Laidlow and Isobel Burns who want to revive the town’s community spirit.

They have both been on the organising committee for 27 years and former town mayor Julie said: “We’ve had a great response so far.

“We have had more entries for this year than we have had for many other years.

“We have clubs like the Cockermouth Titans rugby league team joining in and others like pub landlord Joe Fagan who have not taken part in the carnival for years.

“There are two schools already entered and we are expecting to hear from more.

“We also have a dancing troop, the Osprey cheerleaders and of course, the Mechanics brass band.

“We have 15 different categories to enter and we are starting to get a lot of different entries coming in.

“People are keen to revive it because it is a community thing, it brings everyone together.

“It also brings people into the town and generates business for shops and cafes and bars.”

The parade, which was held annually for almost 120 years, has not been staged since 2012 because of flooding and flood recovery work and the roadworks that have blighted the town centre in recent years.

There are plans to finish off some flood defence work around Market Place in the coming months, but Julie is hoping it will not affect the carnival which will be held on Saturday, June 17.


Julie Laidlow The parade is due to start at 1.45pm and will travel along South Street, Lorton Street, Kirkgate, Market Place and Main Street before finishing at the Memorial Gardens where there will be a fun fair, stalls and other entertainment.

Julie’s niece, Charli Laidlow, 10, will be carnival queen. Julie’s granddaughter, Amelia Stewart, eight, will also be on the float.

Paige Moore, three, is Snow Queen, Lasey Young, three, is Fairy Queen, Sadie Coutts, eight, is Brittania, Lucy James, five, is Floral Queen and Olivia Fideo, four, is Gypsy Queen.

Julie said: “They’re all going to have a little float. We will be doing them together and offering plenty of advice and help.

“I’ve already started cutting paper.”

Schools will be taking part. Any other groups wanting to be involved can ring Julie on 01900 823123 or visit her shop, Firns Home Hardware, on Station Street.

  • The town will also host a Spring Fair on Bank Holiday Monday.

This will take place on South Street between 9am-4pm.

There will be a range of market stalls, selling as plants, clothing, hat and scarves and children’s items.

There will also be entertainment for youngsters, including face painting and hot food available in the Wilkinson car park and a fun fair will be taking place in the Fairfield car park throughout the day.