The Devils Porridge are holding many events each month at the Museum this year. If you would like to know more information about these events you can see an overview below (more information will be on our Facebook page):
This month’s object of the month display was created by Łukasz, from Annan Academy, who does work experience at the Museum every Thursday.
Lukasz removing the old object of the month from the cabinet ready for the new display.
Object of the Month – February
Haaf net fishing objects
The Museum’s current exhibition (running until March 31st) is on Haaf Net Fishing. These objects have been loaned to the Museum by local haaf net fishermen. We also have several other objects on loan in the exhibition including a full sized haaf net, a cleaning stick for stake nets (used to clean the nets when the tide was ebbing) and a fish storage box (a type used in Annan to transport fish packed in ice to London on the 6am train every morning except Sunday).
Object of the month cabinet
Fish Shipping Labels
These labels would be attached to boxes of fish for transport to markets in England. Some are pre-printed, suggesting fish was sent regularly from the Solway to these destinations (London and Grimsby). Other labels are blank so the address can be handwritten on. Fresh fish from the Solway used to be a major source of income for local people and was shipped across the UK by rail in boxes packed with ice. We were told by the donor of these objects that fish went out every day (except Sunday) at 6am on board the train from Annan.
Ancient Fishing Traditions photo courtesy of Allan Warwick and annanhaafnets.org
Objects for knitting a haaf net
Haaf nets were traditionally made of hemp. They rotted away quite quickly and at least two nets had to be knitted each fishing season. The knitting of the nets could be done by the fisherman himself or by his wife.
Ancient Fishing Traditions courtesy of of Allan Warwick and annanhaafnets.org.uk
The three objects to the left were used for knitting and the three objects to the right were used to make the nets the correct size. The squares of the net needed to be the right size to catch the right kind of fish.
The largest, thickest block was for making nets to catch salmon (far right).
The medium, lighter coloured block was to make a net for catching trout (in the middle).
The long, thin block was used to make a net for catching herling (nearest). A herling is a one year old trout.
These objects for knitting nets belonged to Slogger , the father of the donor of these objects and one of the organisers of the Haaf Net Exhibition.
Courtesy of annanhaafnets.org
For more details on our current exhibition see:
To purchase items relating to Haaf Net fishing from our online shop:
https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/shop-online
For more details about Haaf Net fishing see (photographs of haaf net fishing used in this article, courtesy of this website):
A selection of historic images can be seen here:
https://www.scran.ac.uk/database/results.php?QUICKSEARCH=1&search_term=haaf+net
The Devils Porridge has a fantastic new item on loan – a Dickin Medal. The Dickin Medal was created by Maria Dickin, founder of the PDSA in 1943 to recognise the brave contributions made by Animals in War. It has been awarded just 71 times – 31 dogs, 32 World War Two messenger pigeons, three horses and one cat have been awarded. The medal is on loan from the Royal Pigeon Racing Association (the RPRA) and is one of only three medals they have loaned from their collection across the UK. The medal commemorates ‘Dutch Coast’ a pigeon who delivered an SOS from a ditched air crew in 1942. The pigeon covered 288 miles in 7.5 hours. The entire crew were rescued as a result of this action.
“The Museum has a memorial outside to commemorate Animals In War” said Judith Hewitt, Museum Manager, “and last year members of our Young Historians Club worked with the RPRA and the Carlisle Animals In War group to curate an exhibition about all the animals who also served. We are delighted to be able to bring this rare object to our region and to share it with our visitors. It will go on display within the next few weeks and will offer something different for everyone (especially animal lovers) to see.”
A recent visitor to the Museum took a photo during their visit of our State Management of alcohol display (specifically a bottle of Brandy which must date from the 1970’s at least!) here we share a little bit more about this unique social experiment in Cumbria and Dumfries and Galloway.
Ten thousand (mainly Irish) navvies built HM Factory Gretna, the greatest factory on earth in World War One. They worked in difficult conditions to build the factory in a hurry and within eight months, it was fully operational and producing the Devils Porridge (cordite, an explosive)
The arrival of these hard working and hard drinking men caused social problems. Alcohol was a particular issue. On one famous night, ‘The Night of a Thousand Whiskies’, a barkeeper in Carlisle lined up 1000 shots of whisky for the navvies to consume. They drank their drink and then roamed around the streets of Carlisle raising hell. The residents of Carlisle and Annan were adamant: something had to change.
Some bottles of alcohol from the State Management Scheme
So the state took control of the alcohol supply: limiting people to buying one drink at a time, taking over the pubs, inns and taverns to make them more social with bowling greens and restaurants as well as producing their own alcohol (a weaker brew). This control of alcohol became known as the State Management Scheme or the Carlisle Experiment. It was introduced in World War One in response to a perceived immigrant disruption of social life but it remained long after the migrant navvies had left.
Statistics demonstrating the success of State Management
The State Management of Alcohol in parts of Cumbria and South West Scotland lasted until 1973. It is one of the most tangible impacts of HM Factory Gretna on this region. Many people from across the region were employed within state management.
The Devils Porridge Museum has a display relating to this experiment which showcases different bottles of wine, sherry and alcohol as well as showcasing beer pump stoppers, coasters and even dining sets (there were state managed hotels as well). A recent visitor donated to us a crate of State Managed beer. The bottles are full but I wouldn’t like to drink one! You often wonder what else is hiding out there in someone’s attic or garage and what part of the fascinating story of our region it helps to tell?
State Management Display in the Museum
Over the weekend February 8th and 9th The Devils Porridge Eco Club would like your help to build a bottle green house at the Museum.
Many hands make light work so whether you can help over both days or just have a spare half hour to come along 12 till 2 on Saturday and Sunday.
The green house will be made using empty 2 litre plastic juice bottles so if you have any empty bottles between now and the even bring them along or drop them off at the Museum. (we will need a lot).
As well as building the green house there will be plenty of other gardening jobs to be done as we strive to get our Dig for Victory garden ready for Spring.
Outside The Devil’s Porridge Museum there stands a train, a fireless locomotive called Sir James, which was built and used in World War One. By the time it came to the Museum, it was in a rusty and poor state of repair. The Museum spent a lot of time and money restoring the engine and it is now one of our most popular displays.
This engine was used to transport the ‘devil’s porridge’ paste through HM Factory Gretna (the greatest munitions factory on earth at that time, it stretched nine miles from Dornock in Scotland to Longtown in England). The paste was made into cordite, a propellant in the English side of the Factory. Cordite went inside all the bullets and shells used in World War One.
Sir James is an unusual locomotive. It is powered by steam but there is no fire inside. This was a safety precaution as the Factory produced explosive material and the train was used to transport it. There was a genuine concern that there might be a major explosion (there were several fires and explosions here during World War One but the safety record was remarkably good given that 30,000 people worked at the Factory in total and we know of only twelve deaths directly attributable to accidents).
Sir James was built by Andrew Barclay of Kilmarnock, Scotland and in World War One, it would have been charged up with steam from an external boiler before setting off. For these locomotives to work, it was necessary to have three charging stations en route to maintain pressure. These ‘crazy green and brown patchwork’ camouflaged fireless locomotives could pull ten loaded wagons and return the empty wagons on one charge of steam.
At the end of the War, the Factory eventually closed and much of the machinery was sold off. Sir James was sold in 1924 to the Metropolitan Electric Power Supply Company at Brimsdown Generating Station and then in 1975 to the Lakeland and Haverthwaite railway before joining us at the Museum and being restored to its former glory in 2011.
If you enjoyed this article you might be interested in the following items from our online shop…
This is the second part of the mystery photos which the Museum has in its store which we know nothing about as we don’t know who is in the pictures or where they came from. The only thing we know about the photos is that the boat which they are occasionally pictured on is called the SS Avoceta.
One of our Volunteers Desray found these photos interesting while she was adding them to the Museums collections database. Desray chose this selection and said “They must have meant a lot to someone as they were put into an album and they are very nice”.
If you would like to see the last group of photos we made an article on see: https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/mystery-photos
Romantic Valentine’s Meal at the Museum
Fancy a romantic Valentine’s Dinner in intimate surroundings in our 5 star Museum?. Our top chef, Lynne-Marie will create a scrumptious three course meal for only £29.95 per couple. Each loving twosome will have their own dedicated space within the displays to provide a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy your evening.
With only six tables to book at 6.30pm and 8pm, you can expect a really personal service. Tables can be booked by ringing the Museum on 01461 700021 or emailing: info@devilsporridge.org.uk. Booking is essential!!
Our menu us below. Couples should bring their own Prosecco/Champagne etc. Free soft drinks will be provided. Please ask about a personalised tour of the Museum conducted by one of out Expert Guides.
Events taking place at the Museum from Monday 17th of February to Sunday 23rd February. All of these activities are free and only the trip to the Riverside Museum in Glasgow on Saturday the 22nd requires booking. If you wish to book phone: 01461 700021, email: info@devilsporridge.org.uk or pop into the Museum during our opening hours. Drop in sessions can be joined at any time while the session is running and last as long as the activity takes.
Monday 17th February (11am – 2pm)
Warhammer Workshop and Painting Competition
Come along and find out all about Warhammer. We will have mini-games set up for beginners to learn and play as well as space for more experienced players to set up their own epic battles.
Paint and take home one of our Space Marines as part of the painting competition. All paints and models will be provided! There will also be space and paint for anyone looking to paint their own models.
Tuesday 18th February (11am – 2pm)
Pop in Poetry
Local artist and published poet Hugh McMillan will be running a series of drop in poetry workshops aimed at all ages.
Find out about WW1 poets and try your hand at writing some poetry of your own inspired by the Museums collection.
Wednesday 19th February (11am – 2pm)
Historical Arts and Crafts
Running along-side our imitation stained-glass project designing panels for our café renovation, drop into the learning zone and join Alison and Wendy to create your own imitation stained-glass window scene to take home and proudly display at home.
The imitation stained-glass project is a separate event and aimed at older crafters and adults.
Thursday 20th February (11am – 2pm)
Time Bandits Living History
Historical re-enactors from Time Bandits Living History will be visiting The Devils Porridge on this day.
With live performances throughout the day and a larger range of objects to be handled and explored the Time Bandits will be providing an insight into life on the home front and the roles of Women during World War One.
Friday 21st February (11am onwards)
Warhammer 40k Kill team Porridge Championship
The first ever Porridge Championship! Build your 40k kill team and battle your way through a series of missions against the other competitors. Prizes for the best painted army and most enjoyable competitor as well as our overall champion!
A painting area will also be provided for anyone adding any finishing touches to their army.
Saturday 22nd February (All day events)
Games Club
Our regular Devils Porridge Games Club will be running this day (10am – 11am for primary 6 and above 11am – 12noon open to all ages) but there will be different traditional games set up for families to play throughout the rest of the day.
Riverside Museum Trip to Glasgow (bus departs at 9.30 and returns at 4pm)
Join us for a free family day out to the Riverside Museum in Glasgow. Free return travel to the Museum and entry to the Museum is also free!
Riverside Museum is Glasgow’s award winning transport Museum. With over 3000 objects on display there’s everything from skateboards to locomotives, paintings to prams and cars to a Stormtrooper.
https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/venues/riverside-museum
A couple (Ron and Morag) recently contacted the Museum and sent us a photo of Morag’s mother who worked at ICI Powfoot during the Second World War. She is pictured in the photograph below (front row, second from left) with other people who also worked in the Factory.
Morag’s mother was Mary Taylor Napier (maiden name Dirom) who worked at ICI Powfoot during the Second World War. She was born on the 11th May 1921 in Templand, Dumfriesshire. She then married on 2nd February 1940 at Dryfesdale, Lockerbie to James Ross Napier (who was on leave from the army). She lived in Lockerbie during World War Two.
After the War, James and Mary moved to Templand in a ‘prefab’ where they had their first child Morag (who gave us this information). Mary and James, with three children and a fourth on the way, emigrated to Australia in 1956 and this is where they lived until Mary passed away on the 16th July 2000 in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, Australia.
The couple would also be very interested to know if anyone knew any of the other people in the photo and see if they can identify them. They don’t really know much more information about the photo or who is in it which is why they would like some more information if anyone can help. Please email: manager@devilsporridge.org.uk if you have any information you would like to share with us. We have a large collection of objects and material relating to the Second World War in our region and are always keen to know more.
Photo on display of ICI Powfoot workers
