One of Cumbria’s biggest authors is launching Taste Cumbria Christmas 2026 with an appearance in one of Cockermouth’s most historic businesses, alongside one of the county’s favourite broadcasters.
M.W. Craven, the multi-award-winning, multi-million copy selling writer, will star at a Q&A hosted by much-loved broadcaster and presenter Val Armstrong. The event takes place at Jennings Brewery on Friday 4 December, ahead of the main food and drink festival on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December. That will feature lots of producers’ stalls, hot food, live music and children’s entertainment, right in the heart of the town.
Mike’s Q&A is held in association with The New Bookshop, with the support of Kirkgate Arts & Heritage. Following the Q&A, guests will be able to buy his latest novel in the Washington Poe series, The Killer’s Mark, and he will be signing books too.
M.W. Craven was born in Carlisle but grew up in Newcastle. He joined the army, leaving 10 years later to complete a social work degree then became a probation officer in Cumbria. After 17 years, at the rank of assistant chief officer, he became a full-time author.
He is a Sunday Times, New York Times and Der Spiegel bestseller and, for his Cumbria-set Washington Poe series, a recipient of the 2019 Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger, the 2022 Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, the 2023 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year and the 2025 Fingerprint Crime Book of the Year. The series has now been translated into thirty-one languages.
Val Armstrong has been a broadcaster for almost 45 years in Cumbria, 41 of those years she spent at the BBC working in local radio. She now volunteers for the community radio station in Carlisle, owns and runs a coffee shop in the city and is also a funeral celebrant. She is double breast cancer survivor and champions many charities in the area.
In 2023, Val was honoured by being given 'The Freedom of the City of Carlisle' by Carlisle City Council - only the third woman in the city's history to be honoured with this title, and the only living female recipient.
The Taste Cumbria festivals are organised by Cumberland Council and the sponsors of the Christmas event are Cockermouth Town Council, The Coffee Kitchen Bakery, Jennings Brewery and Milburns Solicitors.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
“Mike’s books are famed for their Cumbrian links and they’re even promoting our food and drink on an international scale thanks to Washington Poe’s love of certain beers and snacks!
“It is fantastic to be able to bring him to Cockermouth for our Christmas festival. Book quickly - his events always sell out.”
Chris France, managing director of Jennings Brewery, added:
“We are really pleased to be welcoming MW Craven to launch the Taste Cumbria Christmas festival.
“We know Washington Poe has a love for a pint of Spun Gold, made by our friends at Carlisle Brewing Company, but we won’t hold that against him - though we may try to turn his creator’s head with a pint of Cocker Hoop while he’s in town!”
A Pint with MW Craven* takes place at 7pm on Friday 4 December. Tickets cost £15 each and will be available from www.tastecumbria.co.uk/cockermouth from 9am on Friday 30 October 2026. Watch the website for details of more ticketed events too.
*Pints not included - guests will need to buy their own beer!