Our Events

About Us

Our Speakers

Be Inspired

Lee Child

Author

Lee is one of the town’s most famous ex-residents; he penned the first of his iconic Jack Reacher thriller series in his Kirkby Lonsdale home, overlooking the church tower. Reacher has since gone on to be a global publishing phenomenon, triggering a multi-billion-dollar media empire and captivating fans from all over the world.

“I wrote the first three Jack Reacher books in Kirkby Lonsdale, and they went on to become the foundation of what has turned into a $3bn global entertainment franchise,”

Lizzi Collinge

Labour MP

Elizabeth Rachel Collinge, known as Lizzi Collinge, is a British Labour Party politician serving a Member of Parliament for Morecambe and Lunesdale sine 2024

“People have voted for change. There is no magic wand and there is a long road ahead as we turn the page from the last 14 years. We will work hard, and always put the country first, so that we can start to rebuild Britain.

Whether you voted for me or not, I promise to faithfully serve you and be a strong voice for you in Westminster. I will represent every town, village and hamlet – no one will be left behind”.

John Pye

Project Director for Eden Project North

As the first official employee of Eden Project Morecambe Limited, John will be based in the town of Morecambe and will drive the project to completion, working with a multi-disciplinary team overseeing construction, horticulture, and visitor experience while aligning with the Eden Project’s vision of public benefit and sustainability.

John joins the Eden Project with over 20 years of specialist experience delivering world-class projects. For the past nine years, he has acted as Head of Estates North at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) where he led the development of RHS Garden Bridgewater transforming a 156-acre heritage landscape into the iconic RHS Garden in Greater Manchester.

Diane Nowell

Festival Organiser

Diane is a business writer, journalist and copy editor with extensive experience on corporate and media projects. She is Events Lead for St Mary’s Church in Kirkby Lonsdale, responsible for programming, planning and scheduling performances in this beloved and centuries-old building. Illuminate is Diane’s latest arts and culture project – an initiative designed to bring music, theatre, film and speaker events to the town, as well as to inspire and support local groups to engage, create and volunteer.

Jayne Davies

Freelance Artist

Jayne is a performer, teacher, writer and facilitator. She has an MA in Contemporary Theatre Practice from Lancaster University and works locally in communities, schools and theatres. She has successfully written and delivered a number of community arts and heritage projects. She conceived and created – The Vault: A Kirkby Lonsdale Story Bank – a community heritage project that transformed an old strong room into a contemporary interactive installation

Tess Pike

Blue Badge Guide

In 2020 I celebrated 25 years of working as a Blue Badge Guide, and I enjoy guiding visitors around the North of England just as much today as I did all those years ago. My first job included a visit to a traditional Lakeland farm and driving an old Land Rover along a bumpy track. Since then I’ve guided Swiss farmers around the Yorkshire Dales, Scandinavian roofers through the Lake District, 9-year old school children on themed walks around my local town, film crews around Liverpool, families arriving in the Lake District by private ‘plane, train and superyacht, and many other visitors on sightseeing tours around Cumbria, Liverpool, Yorkshire and Northeast England.

Dr Sophie Nightingale

Lecturer

Sophieis a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Lancaster University. Her research sits at the intersection of technology, human cognition, and behaviour, with a particular emphasis on applications in security, legal, and forensic domains. She investigates how people perceive, interpret, and are influenced by digital information—especially in an era where synthetic media, AI-generated images, and other emerging technologies increasingly shape everyday decision-making.

Rachel Canwell

Author

Rachel is a writer and teacher based in Cumbria, originally from the Fens. Her short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies and online journals, including Sledgehammer Lit, The Birdseed, Pigeon Review, and The Red Lemon Review. Her flash fiction collection Oh I Do Like to Be (2022) and novella-in-flash Magpie Moon (2023) were both warmly received.

A passionate reader, blogger, and co-host of The Northern Connection Podcast, Rachel was shortlisted for the Retreat West Pitch to Win competition in 2021. She continues to explore her love of short stories while compiling a new flash fiction collection.

Her debut novel, Paper Trees, will be published in 2026 by Northodox Press, champions of Northern writers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I book tickets to events at St Mary’s, Kirkby Lonsdale?

Tickets are available direct from our website. Simply click the ‘More Info’ button next to your chosen event and you’ll be taken to a full description plus a ‘Get Tickets’ option. Digital tickets will be sent via email. If you have a smartphone, there’s no need to print tickets out – just present your digital tickets at the door. If you have any difficulty booking, please call Diane on 07850 159237.

Is parking available at St Mary’s?

St Mary’s is situated at the heart of Kirkby Lonsdale, a Georgian market town in a picturesque South Lakes location. Unfortunately, the compact and historic nature of the town means that parking is limited. Although there is no parking directly outside the church, there are a number of public car parks just a few minutes’ walk away (map). Audience members with mobility issues can be dropped off at the western entrance (Fairbank). Please do not park on double yellow lines.

How accessible is St Mary’s Church?

There is level, paved access to the church from the Fairbank entrance with good access into the church itself (no steps) through the main doors on the southern side. Wheelchairs can be accommodated and space reserved – please email hello@stmarysevents.kirkbylonsdale.org. All our events have free carer tickets available (one per paid booking) for those who need dedicated support.

Can I buy refreshments?

We plan to offer a pop-up bar facility at St Mary’s events. Depending on our seating plans and audience numbers, you can expect to choose from a selection of soft drinks, wine and beer, as well as a limited range of snacks. For traditional concert-style performances, refreshments with be available before the show and during the interval (interval drinks can be ordered before the performance starts). At cabaret-style events, drinks will be available to purchase throughout the evening. Audience members will usually be invited to bring their own picnic/drinks to outdoor events on the Glebe.

Where will outdoor events be held?

We’re planning a programme of outdoor events for the summer months. These will be held on the Glebe – an enclosed, grassed area to the north of St Mary’s and situated a short stroll from the church (see map). Gates from the churchyard will normally be opened 30-45 minutes before the event and directions will be signposted. No seating will be provided for these events – you’ll need to bring a blanket or folding chairs, as well as weather-appropriate clothing and accessories (though no umbrellas, please). WC facilities are available in the church.

Can I book allocated seating?

Seating isn’t allocated. If you’re attending a traditional concert-style event, you can expect to be seated on pews (feel free to bring a cushion!). If you’ve booked tickets for a cabaret-style performance, you’ll be seated at tables. Feel free to send an email if you’ve booked multiple tickets for a group and would like to share a table – hello@stmarysevents.kirkbylonsdale.org.

General Information

Organiser

St Mary’s Events – St Mary’s Church, Kirkby Lonsdale

Ticketing

We use TicketSource to provide you with a seamless, secure, and convenient ticketing experience. With easy booking, instant e-tickets, and flexible payment options, you can quickly access our events. Plus, TicketSource’s excellent customer support ensures any questions or issues are addressed promptly, making your experience hassle-free.

Locations

St Marys’ Church, LA6 2AX

Located in the heart of Kirkby Lonsdale, this historic church makes an atmospheric venue for speakers and performances.

Lunesdale Hall, LA6 2BG

A striking community building situated on New Road. We’re hosting films and workshops here throughout the festival.

Methodist Church and Hall, LA6 2AZ

Accessed from Queen’s Square, this warm and welcoming building is perfect for workshops and family activities.

The Glebe LA6 2AX

Overlooking the famous Ruskin’s View, the Glebe is situated behind the church and accessed by a gate near the memorial garden is used for alfresco theatre in the summer months. We’ll be holding outdoor events here during the festival.

QEStudio, LA6 2HJ

An amazingly light and bright, purpose-built learning space that’s the perfect venue for our wellness sessions and workshops.

Avanti Restaurant & Bar, LA6 2AH

Atmospheric, contemporary restaurant with secret courtyard garden in the heart of Kirkby Lonsdale. The perfect location for an art workshop with a glass of wine!

Kirkby Lonsdale Library, LA6 2AL

Our library serves the whole community. Come and experience a warm welcome for two storytelling sessions specially for the festival.

Parking

Kirkby Lonsdale is a Georgian town with little provision for parking in the centre. Festival-goers can park on the town’s car parks (see map); each car park has fees clearly displayed.

Westmorland & Furness car parks:

New Road 1 car park, LA6 2AD. More information, including parking charges, here / view on Google Maps here.
New Road 2 car park, LA6 2AB. More information, including parking charges, here / view on Google Maps here.
Market Square car park, LA6 2AN. More information, including parking charges, here / view on Google Maps here.

There are a number of other Pay & Display car parks, including:

Dodgson Croft Car Park, LA6 2AB. View on Google Maps here.
Wellington Court Car Park, LA6 2HQ. View on Google Maps here.

Please take particular care parking directly in front of the Booths store (Dodgson Croft Car Park), as parking here is restricted to a maximum of two hours (first hour free).There is a hefty fine for anyone who overstays this period.

However, parking in front of Booths is free from 6PM to midnight; and is free from 6PM-8AM at the town’s other car parks.

Please do not park overnight on the Market Square on Wednesdays as the town’s market takes place there every Thursday and stallholders will be setting up from early morning.

Especially for Illuminate, with kind permission of the Headteacher, David Waugh, there is free parking outside QEStudio (map) from Friday 6 Feb (6PM) till midnight on Sunday 8 Feb. Free parking at QEStudio will be available again from Friday 13 Feb (6PM) through till Saturday 21 Feb.

Please park with care for other road users.