A talk about G. Bramwell Evens, a Methodist minister who was in Gretna during World War One by David Barnaby.

April 24th 2019
7pm
£3 per person payable on the door.

David has recently published a new book about Bramwell Evens called ‘The Sky is as Blue as a Hedge-Sparrow’s Egg: Reading Romany’

George Bramwell Evens, (1884-1943) was one of the most loved broadcasters of his day.

He was Methodist minister but in the 1930s he was known by everyone as Romany of the BBC. He had an intimate knowledge of the natural world and a gift for vivid communication. His natural history programmes led thousands of children to love of the wonders of the countryside.

In this talk, David Barnaby will explore the world Romany created. David has written over a dozen books. He is an amateur naturalist, a jazz drummer, a saxophone quartet player and a circus enthusiast.

On Tuesday March 5th, the Devil’s Porridge Museum welcomed 60 students from Dalry Primary, Carsphairn Primary and Kells Primary (Glenkins partnership).  They had been studying World War Two in lessons and came to the museum to experience some objects making the past that bit more tangible.

They had two different sessions in the morning: one session looked at air raids including the role of ARP wardens and the bombing of Gretna in 1941 while the other session considered all different types of rationing including the rationing of food, petrol and clothing.

In the afternoon, the students explored the museum itself by going inside an air raid shelter, tasting rationed foods, trying on World War Two era clothing, visiting a 1940s house and handling different historical objects.  The group also took a tour of the Ground Floor of the museum which is dedicated to the history of HM Factory Gretna in World War One.

One of their teachers emailed the museum to say: “Thank you so much for a wonderful day! A massive thank you to everyone that helped at the museum!  The pupils enjoyed it very much.”

Thanks especially to Sheila G and Eleanor for their work and to Steven for being so helpful on his second day!  To discuss your school visit email info@devilsporridge.org.uk.

The RAF in Cumbria and Galloway and North Lancashire
A talk by Ian Tyler at the Devil’s Porridge Museum

Tuesday March 5th 7pm
£3 per person pay on the door

Ian Tyler has recently published his fourteenth book which is on the RAF in Cumbria, Dumfries and Galloway and North Lancashire, 1939-1946.

The book is available to buy from our online shop:

 https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/product/the-raf-in-cumbria-1939-1946

This talk will focus on themes which are similar to those in his book and will also include a short piece on the dumping of surplus wartime ammunition into the Beaufort Dyke “Irish Sea.”

The talk will touch on:
Aircraft incidents
Details of the aircrew
Trainee aircrews
The story of the Airfields
The fearless RNLI and Air Sea Rescue Units who plucked the ditched airmen from the Solway, Clyde and Irish Sea

Ian will be selling and signing copies of his book on the evening of the talk.

Ian Tyler has won three Lakeland Book of the year awards. He established “Keswick Mining Museum” which survived 30 years until his retirement. Has worked on TV with “Baldrick” Tony Robinson, Julia Bradbury, Eric Robson, Rob Bell.

This weekend has been a busy one for the team at the Devil’s Porridge Museum.  We had a really successful Burn’s Supper on Saturday night, see:

On Sunday, two of our young volunteers helped to install the new exhibition ‘Love in Wartime’.  They dressed mannequins with vintage wedding dresses, put up decorations, created display stands from foamboard, put up banners and recorded the objects on display in our object location file.  They were really helpful and seemed to enjoy learning the behind the scenes Museum business!

Here are some photos of Alex and Russell helping out.

Work was also going outside the Museum.  Tony and Richard worked on the telephone box outside of the Museum.  It has been there for a little while now and is getting some TLC to make it level, then it will be painted and fixed up (we are waiting on better weather to do this).  Here they are hard at work.

Talk on Cinemas at HM Factory Gretna

Friday, 1 February 2019 from 19:00-20:30

‘A World on Wings: Women Munitions Workers and Movies in World War 1’

A talk at the Devil’s Porridge Museum on February 1st at 7pm

£3 per person – no need to book, just pay on the evening.

The talk will focus on the provision of cinema for female workers and the controversies surrounding leisure and work at HM Factory, Gretna. It will be delivered by Dr Chris Brader and has been organised as part of the Museum’s Love in Wartime Season. The cinema has long been a place for couples to go on dates and the cinemas in the townships built for the workers at the Factory were patrolled by the women’s police force. This talk will also mark the return of cinema to Eastriggs as we will be showing films at the Devil’s Porridge in 2019.

Dr. Chris Brader is the author of ‘Timbertown Girls: Borders Women and the First World War. He holds a doctorate from the University of Warwick. He previously taught history at Lancaster University and worked for Cumbria Archives.

Education Open Morning

Saturday, 26 January 2019 from 10:00-12:00

Join us for Coffee and a biscuit, and a chance to find out about how to get the most out of this wonderful facility. A great opportunity for teachers or anybody involved in Education to come and see what we have to offer.

Ideas of what we can offer special school groups:

• A unique Museum collection
• Object handling
• An Anderson shelter and dig for Victory Garden
• Guided tours
• Bespoke group activities
• Dedicated Education room

Burns Supper

Saturday, 19 January 2019 from 18:00-21:00

On Saturday January 19th, the Devil’s Porridge Museum will be hosting a Burn’s Supper from 6.30pm (for a 7pm start).

Tickets are £10 per person and include:

A complimentary glass of whisky served on arrival.

Starter – Scotch broth

Main – Haggis, turnips, mash potatoes

After – Scottish cheeses with oatcakes

Soft drinks will be available at no extra charge throughout the evening.

Vegetarian options are available. Please specify any dietary requirements on booking.

There will be traditional music, poetry and dancing throughout the evening.

Places are limited. To book: email info@devilsporridge.org.uk, phone 01461700021 or pop in to the Museum in person during our opening hours.

Tickets must be paid for in advance and are non refundable.