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Monthly Roundup for 16th September to 20th October 2024. There is a photo of a pumpkin growing in our Dig For Victory Garden, living history re-enactors the Time Bandits and the museum's Arts and Crafts Club.

Monthly Roundup 16th September to 20th October 2024

By Archive

Monday 16th September

Brilliant to have our Arts and Crafts club back in The Devil’s Porridge Museum today. If you know a young person who would like to come along, you can find out how to book here>

Saturday 21st September

This week gardening club built an insect house and helped harvest some fresh vegetables from the garden. Did you know we use some of the food grown in our Dig for Victory garden in the Café? We’ve also been selling some homegrown apples and potatoes to our visitors!

Below are two photos from gardening club. A huge thank you to Wendy and the gardening club!

Monday 23rd September

Cordite Club was painting autumnal decorations this week. Our next Cordite Club will be a spook-tacluar Halloween celebration on 28th October 2024. Learn more about Cordite Club by clicking here>

Arts and Crafts club was also on again today. It was brilliant to see the young people who come along being so creative! If you would like to find out more about Arts and Crafts club click here>

Take a look at some photos from Arts and Crafts club below.

Tuesday 24th September

Excellent to have two small group visits with us at The Devil’s Porridge Museum today.  Please be aware that you do have to book group visits in advance and you can learn how by clicking here>

Saturday 28th September

Gardening Club was on again today.

Below are some photos of some pumpkins growing in The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s Dig For Victory. Don’t they look good?

Sunday 29th September

Today we had another group visit to The Devil’s Porridge Museum today. Please remember it is essential to book your group visit and any found you would like in advance. Find out more and how to book your group visit by clicking here>

Monday 30th September

We were delighted to have a school visit come to The Devil’s Porridge Museum today.  Wondering what we offer as part of a school visit to The Devil’s Porridge Museum? You can find out this and more by heading to our school visit page by clicking here>

Arts and Crafts club was on today. Lovely to see the young people crafting!

Saturday 5th October

Saturday’s mean Arts and Crafts club in The Devil’s Porridge Museum. It’s brilliant to see all their hard work paying off with the food growing in our Dig for Victory Garden!

Monday 7th October

Another group came to visit The Devil’s Porridge Museum today. It was lovely to have them. Please click here to find out more about group visits>

Our term time arts and crafts club was on again today. A huge thank you to Wendy and all the young people who come along to this, as always. Arts and Crafts club will be back again after October half term. Learn more about arts and crafts club by clicking here>

Wednesday 16th October

We were delighted to welcome the Time Bandits to The Devil’s Porridge Museum today for the first of our October half term activities. They had a selection of amazing original and replica World War One artefacts on display and were walking around the museum sharing dark tales from the trenches. It’s always brilliant to have The Time Bandits at The Devil’s Porridge Museum!

A huge thank you to them and everyone who came along to see them! It was brilliant to have so many people come along to see the Time Bandits at the museum.

Take a look at some photos of this below.

Thursday 17th October

We had two group visits to The Devil’s Porridge Museum today and it was brilliant to have them! If you would like to plan a group visit to The Devil’s Porridge Museum, find all you need to know by clicking here>

 

And that’s the end of this This Month’s Monthly Roundup. Our next Roundup will be in November, so be sure to look out for it and why not travel back in time and check out last month’s Monthly Roundup in the meantime? You can do this by clicking here>

We have a range of October half-term activities coming up. From a family friendly spooky storytelling session with Mostly Ghostly to a Children’s Halloween party, there’s lots to look forward to. Be sure to check out our events page here>

Poster for Time Bandits in The Devil's Porridge Museum on Wednesday 16th October 2024. Admission into The Devil's Porridge is required to see the Time Bandits in the museum.

Time Bandits at The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

By Archive

Wednesday 16th October 2024

We’re delighted to welcome living history reenactors The Time bandits back to The Devil’s Porridge Museum!

The Time Bandits’ handling collection of original and replica WW1 artefacts will be in The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s Education Room all day, starting from 11am. You will also be able to hear dark tales from the trenches as WW1 soldiers wander the museum galleries.

It promises to be brilliant and very informative so be sure to come along and see the Time Bandits in person!

Admission into The Devil’s Porridge Museum is required visit the Time Bandits in this drop-in activity.

The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s usual Wednesday opening hours apply (10am to 5pm with last entry 45 minutes before closing).

Below are some photos of The Time Bandits.

A collage of photos of The Devil's Porridge Museum's Cordite Club and a board game. The words "Monthly Roundup 19th August to 15th September 2024" also feature.

Monthly Roundup 19th August to 15th September 2024

By Archive

This Monthly Roundup sees the return of Cordite Club and Arts and Crafts club! Read on to find out more in our Monthly Roundup 19th August to 15th September 2024.

Monday 19th August.

Brilliant to have had a group visit join us at The Devil’s Porridge Museum today. They also had a chance to visit the Scotia Crafters who sell a beautiful selection of homemade crafts, gifts and more.

Please be aware that it is necessary to book any group visits in advance. Learn more about group visits by clicking here>

Tuesday 20th August

Today it was fantastic to have another group visit at The Devil’s Museum today, who also had chance to enjoy the Scotia Crafters exhibition.

If you would be interested in learning more about group visits please click here>

Monday 26th August

On Monday 26th August we had another group visit The Devil’s Porridge Museum. It was lovely to have them come for a visit!

Just a quick reminder that group visits and any catering you would like for your group needs to be booked in advance. As always you can find out more about group visits here>

Sunday 1st September

Today marked the last day of the Scotia Crafters in The Devil’s Porridge Museum. It was brilliant to have had them back with us again this year with all their beautiful, handmade items, gifts and crafts! We hope to see them again at The Devil’s Porridge Museum next year!

Below are some photos of the Scotia Crafters exhibition from this year.

Monday 2nd September

It was lovely to have another group visit to The Devil’s Porridge Museum again today. Find out more about group visits by clicking here>

Monday 9th September

It was exciting to have some of our regular activities return after the summer holidays today!

First we had the return on our Cordite Club for local retirees. It was excellent to have them back and this week they were playing the board game ‘Crazy Case.’ If you are interested in finding out more about our Cordite Club, click here>

Below are some photos of Cordite Club.

The afternoon saw the return of Arts and Crafts club! A huge thank you to Wendy and everyone helps to make this possible. Another thank you to the young people who come along. Find out more about Arts and Crafts club here>

 

And that’s it for this edition of the Monthly Roundup! If you fancy traveling back to last Month’s Roundup you can by clicking here>  

Have you heard about our youth mentorship programme? It offers unique opportunities to help build young people’s CV, experience and confidence with a professional mentor to support you. Find out more and how to get involved by clicking here> 

Children's Halloween Party 2024 Poster. This event is happening at 6.30pm to 8pm on Thursday 24th October 2024. It is now fully booked.

FULLY BOOKED: Children’s Halloween Party 2024

By Archive

This event is now FULLY BOOKED. To avoid disappointment please do not bring children that have not booked into this activity. Thank you for your understanding. 

Thursday 24th October 2024

6.30pm to 8pm

6 to 12 year olds

Join us for our spook-tacular Children’s Halloween Party 2024 at The Devil’s Porridge Museum!

Be sure to come in your Halloween costume, as there will be a Best Halloween Costume Competition for the young attendees!

Parents and / or guardians are welcome to stay and watch this party (places only need to be booked for the young people attending). The parents and / or guardians will even have the opportunity to help the young attendees with a best dressed Mummy / Daddy competition activity, if they’re brave enough…

Please be aware there may be some flashing lights at this party.

Booking is essential and places are limited. 

Tickets are £3 per child (plus a booking fee)*.

To book your place please press the book now button on the right of this page and select the workshop you would like to book.

*We are committed to keeping our activities as inclusive as possible. If you need financial support please contact:

education@devilsporridge.org.uk 

or call 01461 700021

 

We are also delighted to be working with Mostly Ghostly to host two exciting events for young people on Monday 21st October 2024, which you can learn more about by clicking here>

A huge thank you to our funders The Holywood Trust and Young Start, The National Lottery Fund for their support of our Halloween activities for 2024.

Below are some photos from last year’s Children’s Halloween Party. We hope to have more treats and fun this year!

Poster for two events for young people with Mostly Ghostly happening on Monday 21st October 2024. The first of these events "A Haunting Halloween at H.M. Factory Gretna" is aimed at 7 to 11 year olds. The second "Teens Event - Mostly Ghostly Presents... The Dark Side of H.M. Gretna" is for 11 to 15 year olds. Booking is essential. Tickets are £3 per young person plus a booking fee.

Mostly Ghostly at The Devil’s Porridge Museum 2024

By Archive

We’re delighted to be working with Mostly Ghostly to present the following two events for young people at The Devil’s Porridge Museum as part of our Halloween activities for 2024.

A Haunting Halloween at H.M. Factory Gretna

A group of people called, Mostly Ghostly stood outside the Old Bridge House.

 

Monday 21st October 2024

10am to 12pm

7 to 11 year olds.

The Devil’s Porridge Museum is delighted to be working with Mostly Ghostly to present a Halloween event aimed at children, aged 7 to 11 years old, and their families. This will be an interactive spooky storytelling session with a hint of horrid history!

Young participants will have the opportunity to create their own artwork and stories to share with the group.

Our event aims to be educational and entertaining, and will feature themes of horrid history and hauntings.

Please be aware that places only need to be booked for the young people attending this workshop, but their family is welcome to stay for the duration of this event.

Booking is essential and places are limited. 

Tickets are £3 per child (plus a booking fee)*.

To book your place please press the book now button on the right of this page and select the workshop you would like to book.

*We are committed to keeping our activities as inclusive as possible. If you need financial support please contact:

education@devilsporridge.org.uk 

or call 01461 700021

 

Teens Event – Mostly Ghostly Presents… The Dark Side of H.M. Gretna

A group of people, called Mostly Ghostly, outside in some woodland.

Monday 21st October 2024

1pm to 3pm

11 to 15 year olds.

This will be an interactive storytelling session exploring the darker side of H.M. Gretna…

Discover the daily dangers faced by factory workers, enter the hidden world of the evacuee and hear the tragic story of Britain’s worst rail disaster…

Mostly Ghostly will also share some haunting tales from the surrounding areas.

Young participants will have the opportunity to view and handle objects connected with key historical events and share their views on these thought-provoking stories.

Our event aims to be educational and entertaining, and will feature themes of horrid history and hauntings.

Booking is essential and places are limited. 

Tickets are £1 per 11 to 15 year old (plus a booking fee)*.

To book your place please press the book now button on the right of this page and select the workshop you would like to book.

*We are committed to keeping our activities as inclusive as possible. If you need financial support please contact:

education@devilsporridge.org.uk 

or call 01461 700021

 

The Devil’s Porridge Museum will also be hosting a Children’s Halloween Party  on Thursday 24th October 2024 which you can learn more about by clicking here>

A huge thank you to our funders The Holywood Trust and Young Start, The National Lottery Fund for their support of our Halloween activities for 2024.

Poster for Arts and Crafts Club, which reads. "Starting on Monday 9th September 2024. Every Monday from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. FREE ACTIVITY. Places are limited. Ideal for children age 7 to 11 years old. Book via email: education@devilsporridge.org.uk"

Arts and Crafts Club 2024

By Archive

Our term-time Arts and Crafts Club is back on Monday 9th September 2024.

It will be on every Monday from 3:30 to 4:30pm with the last session of the year on 2nd December 2024. Arts and Crafts Club is perfect for  7 to 11 year olds.

We’ll craft together and make something pretty! This club is free, just be sure to bring along your imagination. You never know what we’ll be making!

Places are limited. Booking is essential.

Please contact education@devilsporridge.org.uk to learn more and book your place.

Below are five photos from previous sessions of Arts and Crafts Club. We hope to have lots more creative fun in Arts and Crafts Club!

 

Poster advertising Scottish Gaelic lessons starting at The Devil's Porridge Museum on Tuesday 30th September with Lesley Brown.

Scottish Gaelic Classes

By Archive

Gaelic classes will be returning in 2026.

Do you fancy learning Scottish Gaelic?

Do you know a few words and would like to learn more?

Beginning from Tuesday 30th September 2025, Scottish Gaelic Classes will be running at The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

They will run from 6.45pm to 8.15pm each week.

For more information about this please contact Lesley Brown.

Email: lesley.kirtle@btinternet.com

Contact number: 01461 204225

Poster for The Devil's Porridge Museum's annual general meeting happening on Monday 16th September 2024 at The Devil's Porridge Museum.

Annual General Meeting 2024

By Archive
We warmly invite all of our members and friends to attend our Annual General Meeting held at The Devil’s Porridge Museum on Monday 16th September 2024 at 7pm.
 
The AGM takes place once a year to elect the trustees of the Eastriggs & Gretna Heritage Group, which manages the strategic development of The Devil’s Porridge Museum.
 
If you would like to become a member of the Museum please email info@devilsporridge.org.uk to register your interest.
 
We look forward to meeting with you.
Annual General Meeting 2024 at The Devil’s Porridge Museum.
Monthly Roundup 15th July to 18th August 2024 with a photo of some raspberries, a cookery workshop and an open evening at The Devil's Porridge Museum.

Monthly Roundup 15th July to 18th August 2024

By Archive

Cookery, coffee, coach groups and 100 years since the auction of H.M. Factory Gretna! There’s quite a range of things that have been happening at The Devil’s Porridge Museum. You can find out about what’s been happening recently in our Monthly Roundup 15th July to 18th August 2024 below.

Tuesday 16th July

Fantastic to welcome another group visit to The Devil’s Porridge Museum today. Learn more about group visits by clicking here>

Wednesday 17th July

Our free Summer holiday programme for young people continued today with a Cookery Workshop. They made tasty chocolate biscuits from a World War Two rationing recipe. Thank you those who helped to make this happen and everyone who came to join in the workshop.

Below are some photos of this.

Saturday 20th July

Our free gardening club for young people was on again today. We had some delicious looking raspberries in our Dig For Victory Garden this week.  Below is a photo of this. Read more about gardening club by clicking here>

Raspberries growing our Dig For Victory Garden outside The Devil's Porridge Museum.

Monday 22nd July

100 years ago, on the 22nd July 1924, H.M. Factory Gretna and the “townships of Gretna and Eastriggs and the Mossband, Longtown and Dornock areas” were put up for public auction.
The auction had 607 “lots of Stone, Brick, and Steel-constructed Factories, Ether and Glycerine Distilleries and Valuable Plant, Steam Laundry and Bakery and Plant. Also Public Institutes, Picture Houses, Post Offices, Banks, Offices, Hostels (adapted for conversion into Houses), Shops, Hospital, Fire Brigade Stations, Garages, and about 300 Dwelling-Houses (Detached, Semi-detached and Terraces).
One lot for sale in Gretna was “Lot 153. The Cinema.” This is described as “a Superior and Most Attractive Well-Equipped Picture House” in the auction book. Some other items included in the Gretna Township Section of the auction were the Fire Brigade Station, Telephone Exchange and Post Office. From Dornock and Eastriggs Section of the auction, these lots included items like The Public Institutes, Police Station, Tennis Courts and Pavilion, while one of the factory lots was The Glycerine Distillery. The Mossband and Longtown section of the auction included Mossband Offices and the Ether Distillery.
Prior to this in August 1919, an auction of 300 huts was held over three days to dispose of some of the smaller buildings, like garages and stores.
You can learn more about H.M. Factory Gretna and see the 100 year old auction books on display by visiting The Devil’s Porridge Museum. An open evening for the local community held at The Devil’s Porridge Museum on 31st July 2024 to celebrate this anniversary. Keep reading to find out more about this!

Friday 26th July

Brilliant to have a group visit from some Scouts today. It was lovely to have them visit The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

Saturday 27th July

Saturday means gardening club is on! Below are some photos of this. Learn more about this by clicking here>

Monday 29th July

A free origami jewellery workshop took place at The Devil’s Porridge Museum today. Brilliant to see all the beautiful jewellery created by the young people who came to this!

Photos of this activity can now be seen below.

Wednesday 31st July

Today we enjoyed celebrating the 100th anniversary of the auction of H.M. Factory Gretna and the townships of Eastriggs and Gretna with the local residents of Eastriggs. The official anniversary may have been on 22nd July, but today we had a 100 years of Eastriggs now and then display on from 6 to 9pm and free craft activity. There was also a buffet with tea and coffee for all those who came along. They were also welcome to look around The Devil’s Porridge Museum. Entry was free to all the residents of Eastriggs.

Thanks to all the people who helped out with this event and all those who came along to join us! Below are some photos of this event.

Thursday 1st August

Our first Summer programme activity in August was an Upcycling Workshop. Brilliant to see how creative all the young people came along were!

There are now some photos of this activity below!

Saturday 3rd August

A poster for Grimwood Museum Adventure with four of the books from the series and Kids in Museum's logo.

Today marked the start of Kid’s in Museums and Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, Grimwood Museum Adventure at The Devil’s Porridge Museum. Young visitors can complete the trail around the museum. There is also a competition to enter! Admission into The Devil’s Porridge Museum is required for this activity and it will be happening up to the 26th August 2024. Find out more about this by clicking here>

Gardening club was on again today. If you would like to learn more about this click here>

The Devil’s Porridge Museum also took part in Eastriggs Parade to mark the 100th anniversary of the auction of H.M. Factory Gretna today too. Below are some photos of this.

Tuesday 6th August

Another two groups came to visit The Devil’s Porridge Museum today. It was brilliant to have them! Please remember that it is essential to book group visits in advance. You can find out how to do this by clicking here>

From today, we are delighted to be serving Organic Rijo coffee in The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s Café.  Remember you don’t have to visit The Devil’s Porridge Museum to enjoy our Café, so why not come along and treat yourself to a coffee? Check out our Café opening hours by clicking here>

Wednesday 7th August

Today we were making mocktails at a free workshop as part of our Summer programme. You can now find some photos of this mocktail making workshop below.

 

Friday 9th August

Our Summer Programme came to the end with our Podcast workshop today. The first episode of our podcast is all about climate change and how it affects young people. A huge thank you to those who joined us for this. Below are some photos from this activity.

We would like to say a huge thank you for everyone who has helped out with our Summer programme workshops this year and all the young people who have joined us! Another huge thank you to our funders Dumfries and Galloway Council through the Amazing Summer programme and The Holywood Trust.

Sunday 11th August

We were delighted to have the Scotia Crafters back at The Devil’s Porridge Museum again this year. They were setting up at The Devil’s Porridge Museum today and will be selling a selection of local handmade gifts, food and more until 1st September 2024. Entrance into the Scotia Crafters exhibition is free (admission prices do still apply to anyone who wants to look around The Devil’s Porridge Museum), so we would highly recommend having a look while they are at the museum.

Below is a photo from their time at The Devil’s Porridge Museum in the past.

A sign for the Scotia Crafters pointing through the open door of The Devil's Porridge Museum's education room in which tables of local crafts are displayed.

Saturday 17th August

Our gardening club was back on again today. Click here to learn more about gardening club>

 

That may be the end of this month’s Monthly Roundup, but the Scotia Crafters will still be at The Devil’s Porridge Museum until 1st September 2024, so you’ve still got time to treat yourself to some homemade gifts or crafts!

Our next Monthly Roundup will be out next month. In the meantime you can find what happened in our previous Monthly Roundup by clicking here>

A sign for the Scotia Crafters pointing through the open door of The Devil's Porridge Museum's education room in which tables of local crafts are displayed.

Scotia Crafters 2024

By Archive

Sunday 11th August to Sunday 1st September 2024

10am – 4pm

Looking for the perfect handmade gift, or perhaps just that special something? Come along and see the Scotia Crafters at The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

We’re delighted them back in the museum again this year. The Scotia Crafters will have an exhibition and sale of  quality, local, handmade, crafts within The Devil’s Porridge Museum. From jewellery, to soap, beautiful crafts and much more, there’s an excellent selection of gifts for every occasion.

Be sure to come along and treat yourself or someone else to something special!

Entry into the Scotia Crafters exhibition ONLY is free. Admission prices will still apply for anyone visiting to look around The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

You can find the Scotia Crafters on Facebook here>

Below are some photos of the Scotia Crafters Arts and Craft Market from 2024.

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