On this da in 1944 the decision was made to abandon RAF Annan. In it's heyday, RAF Annan could boast a staff of 400 RAF personal across its 200-acre site. It's main focus was training young fighter pilots in offensive attacks. Sadly, young pilots died during their time training at RAF Annan.

We're proud to be included in this!

Did you know a Murchison medal winner worked at H.M. Factory Gretna? 🏅 Frederick Murray Trotter received the medal in 1956, due to his Geology work. In WW1 he worked as a Royal Engineers' dispatch rider & at H.M. Factory Gretna www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-frederick-murray-trotter

Remember that time the government took control of all the pubs in Carlisle and district? 💭🍻 Our latest exhibition is all about The State Management Scheme. Thanks to everyone who made this possible. Learn about our current exhibition: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/category/exh...

We have a plan. It's for Eastriggs Post Office. 📮 Eastriggs & Gretna were originally built to house the workers of H.M. Factory Gretna in WW1. As part of these townships, shops, leisure facilities and more were built for the munitions workers. This includes Eastriggs Post Office. #EYAArchitecture

☀🫠 If it gets a bit too warm out there today, here's your friendly reminder that: ❄️The Devil's Porridge Museum has air conditioning, 🤩free drop in Air Raid Day activities today, 🍦and we sell ice cream. Many other museums are cool places to visit this time of year too. 😎

The 11th times Great Granddaughter of King Edward 4th of England, Bryde Johnstone-Douglas, worked at H.M. Factory Gretna. We do have this photo of her. Unfortunately, it is a bit dark... (Anyone got some night vision googles? 🤣) www.devilsporridge.org.uk/brydejonnstone-douglas #WorkeroftheWeek

We have some FREE family Coding Workshops for 8 to 12 year olds on Tuesday 21st July 2026. Booking is essential for these workshops. Learn more and book your place here: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/family-codin...

We have a selection of free drop in activities during the school holidays this year. Whether you're looking for family friendly activities, to discover a new hobby, or chilling at Zentangle Drawing session, you'd be welcome to join us. 😎 www.devilsporridge.org.uk/category/eve...

72 years ago today food rationing in Britain came to an end. 🥳🕺💃 During WW2, rationing was introduced to ensure everyone had access to food & other items in short supply. What would be the first thing you'd choose to eat after food rationing ended? 🤔

Did you know that the inventor of Vegemite worked at H.M. Factory Gretna? 🤩 Cyril Callister worked as a chemist at the factory, before creating Vegemite. We've chosen him as this Week's Worker of the Week... although his blog post was written in July 2021. www.devilsporridge.org.uk/cyrilcallister

Our FREE Interactive Lego Robot Workshops are back! This will be for 8 to 12 years old on Thursday 16th July 2026... and this time there's two of them! Booking is essential for these workshops. Learn more and book your place: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/interactive-... #ThrivingCommunity

On This Day (26th June) in 1915 the Minister of Munitions & future Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, authorised the construction of munitions factory, H.M. Factory Gretna. Find out more about this factory & the 30,000 people who worked there by visiting us. (Plus, we have air conditioning.🫠)

Have you ever tried making your own badges? Join us on Tuesday 14th July 2026 for our FREE Badge Making Day Activities. You will discover some of the badges that were given out at H.M. Factory Gretna and try making two different styles of badges. ⭐️ www.devilsporridge.org.uk/badge-making-workshop

Did you know the father of one of H.M. Factory Gretna's Women's Police Officers, Marjorie Beryl Pearse, designed posters for the women's suffragette movement? You can find out more about Marjorie here: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-marjorie-beryl-pearse #WorkeroftheWeek

On Thursday 9th July 2026, you can join us for Air Raids Day. Make your own gas mask, practice your air raid drill & much more! You'd be welcome to drop in and join us for either the morning or afternoon session of this family friendly activity. Learn more: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/air-raids-day

You've been asking. We've heard you. 🐾 We know dogs are a big part of many families, so we're having a dog friendly trial week at The Devil's Porridge Museum! From Monday 29th June to Sunday 5th July 2026 well-behaved, dry, dogs on leads will be welcome into our museum with their humans! 🎉

Did you know that Arthur Parkin named his daughter, Gretna, after a Scottish township? (No prizes for guessing which one.😂) She became a renowned scientist & Arthur was a chemist at H.M. Factory Gretna, so we thought it would be perfect to share for Father's Day. You could visit us to celebrate.

🔮 Fake clairvoyants beware! 😂 Mabel Alice Read went undercover to catch a false clairvoyant and that was after working in H.M. Factory Gretna’s women’s police… Also she got a medal. Read more about her here: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/mabelaliceread #WorkeroftheWeek

Have you heard about our Cordite Club? 🤔 This a lunchtime club for local retirees at The Devil’s Porridge Museum. We were delighted to be joined by them yesterday. Thanks to everyone involved! Our next Cordite Club is Monday 29th June 2026. ☀️ Learn more: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/cordite-club

From H.M. Factory Gretna to ocean liners! 🛳️ Lottie Moore worked in the Women’s Police Officer at H.M. Factory Gretna and later became a stewardess. She’s also this week’s Worker of the Week! Find out more about Lottie and her travels here: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-lottie-moore

Would you like to see a shoe horn used by King George V? 👞👀 Some relatives of a Elizabeth McGreechan, a H.M. Factory Gretna worker, kindly took the time to share some information about her. They told us that Elizabeth (known as Betty) worked as the forewoman at the factory.

You've probably heard of going from rags to riches, but have you heard of going from a domestic servant to policewomen? 👮‍♀ This week's Worker of the Week is Alice Maud Trent did just that! Find out more about her: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-alice-maud-trent #WorkeroftheWeek

Have you heard that it's Volunteer's Week? Here at The Devil's Porridge Museum we have an awesome team of volunteers! They welcome you into our museum, research, help in our collections, with events or educational visits, in our garden, Café and more. We would like to say thank you to them all. 👏

It's last day in May, but do you know what happened in June 1918? 👮‍♀️ In June 1918, the Women's Police Force peaked with 167 members at H.M. Factory Gretna. Members of the Women's Police Force helped to make sure that everything ran smoothly at the factory and looked after those who worked there.

Would you work at a munitions factory with your sister? Ethel Mary & Florence Tinkler both worked at H.M. Factory Gretna. They're this week's Worker(s) of the Week. Both appeared in newspaper articles involving matches... 💍🔥 www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-ethel-and-florence-tinkler

A reminder that during hot spells like this museums are the perfect place to cool down.

111 years ago today On this day (22nd May) in 1915, an accident which remains the worst rail disaster in British history occurred at Quintinshill. It involved troops on their way to board ships for the Gallipoli / Dardanelles campaign. Sadly many people were killed & injured as result. #OnThisDay

Tomorrow is the anniversary of Quintinshill rail accident. You would be welcome to join us for a talk about this at 7pm tomorrow. This presentation will given by Grant Cullen. Are you planning to join us drop in and join us for this? #QuintinshillRailAccident

19 years ago today... On this day (20th May) in 2007 Chapelcross' iconic cooling towers were demolished & thousands of people gathered to witness the event. The decision was made to close Chapelcross in 2004. As part of the decommissioning process, the cooling towers were demolished. #OnThisDay

We're a day early, but yesterday was the anniversary of when King George V & Queen Mary visited H.M. Factory Gretna, so we thought you might like to hear about the munitions worker who gave them flowers. 💐 Her name was Victoria May McIver & she was the youngest patient in the hospital at the time.

Please be aware we have a school visit from 10am to 2pm on Thursday 21st May 2026. You'd still be welcome to visit us, but this does mean The Devil's Porridge Museum will be busier than usual. Thank you for your understanding.

109 years ago today... On this day in 1917, King George V & Queen Mary visited H.M. Factory Gretna. This was in recognition of the factory's exceptional performance. They spent 6 hours at the factory & had a tour. In The Staff Club they ate roast beef, potatoes & peas for dinner. 🥔😋 #OnThisDay

There's probably not many Australians who can claim to have named their daughter after a local Scottish township, while working as a chemist at a munitions factory, but Arthur Francis Parkin can! Why not find out more about him here? www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-arthur-parkin

Today marks VE (Victory in Europe) Day, when the Second World War ended in Europe. Street parties took place in the days and weeks following. This one for residents of Elstree Gardens & Fairview Gardens, Ilford took place on 19 May 1945 and included a Punch & Judy show, competitions, and a bonfire!

You might have heard that today is the anniversary of VE Day, but do you know what else happened on this day? (Other than Sir David Attenborough's Birthday. Happy 100th Birthday! 🥳) Anyway, three years prior to VE day, in 1942 the London Gazette reported on the bravery of Catherine Munro...

All hail to the Bluesky GLAM! Now that @romanpalace.bsky.social is back, a shout out to the galleries, libraries, archives and museums who keep posting on - from the Absolute Units to single skeeters Find old friends and new below - sharing fresh finds, joy & a bit of respite go.bsky.app/Ms7endH

Ever had too much to drink & ended up threatening your hostel matron? 🍷 This week's Worker of the Week, Maria Armstrong once did. She was given a fine or alternative of 14 days imprisonment as a result. We do not recommend. Read more: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-maria-armstrong

Hi everyone, It has happened again! 🤩 We're proud to have been awarded a TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award again for 2026! 🥳 So, we would like to say is a huge THANK YOU to everyone who supports The Devil's Porridge Museum and all who take the time to leave a review of their visit!

Did you know H.M. Factory Gretna workers made their own Souvenir Magazines? This week's Worker of the Week, Norman Taylor Fox, appears in one. He might have even written an article in it called The 11.20 Up Express! Learn more: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-norman-taylor-fox

Did you know that not all Trench Art was created literally in the trenches? Some Trench Art was created by prisoners of war or civilians, for example. These two Trench Art shell casings have been made into vases. 💐 Perhaps, they could inspire you to upcycle something discarded today.

It's Wednesday, which means it's Worker of the Week time. (Hooray!🎉) Annie Corrin: 1️⃣ First worked in the cordite section of H.M. Factory Gretna 2️⃣and then in loading sheds outside. She stayed at the Central Hotel in Carlisle for a bit too. Read more: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-th...

In case you've missed what's been happening at The Devil's Porridge Museum recently you can catch up on all that's been going on in our Monthly Roundup! This tell you about what's happened from 23rd March to 19th April 2026. www.devilsporridge.org.uk/monthly-roundup-23-rd-march-to-19-april-2026

Please be aware that our Café will be closed on Monday 27th April 2026, due to a group booking. You will still be welcome to explore The Devil’s Porridge Museum, but please do be aware that our museum will be busier than usual on this day. Thank you. 😀

Reginald Keen was a farmer for most of his life. 🚜 However, we have a photo which suggests he worked at H.M. Factory Gretna as a fireman during World War One. 🔥 Find out more about Reginald here: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-reginald-keen #WorkeroftheWeek

Did anyone else see this message in the clouds this morning? #LookUpAtTheSkyDay

Have you heard about the munitions worker who stole a hat? 👒🎩 #EYACrime #ExploreYourArchive @arascot.bsky.social @exploreyourarchive.bsky.social

Wondering what we have coming up next? 🤔 Join us on the 111th anniversary of Quintinshill rail accident for an illustrated talk given by Grant Cullen. ⏰This will be on Friday 22nd May 2026 at 7pm. The talk is free, but donations to support the work of our museum would be gratefully received.

Have you heard about our Lego Weekend? It's happening THIS WEEKEND! 🤩 That's Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th April 2026. Join us to celebrate all things Lego. Learn more: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/lego-weekend... #Lego #FamilyFriendlyMuseum #thingstodowiththekids #thingsonindumfriesandgalloway

👀Take a look at this group photo of H.M. Factory Gretna workers from World War One. Anyone wondering who the people are in the photo? 🤔 One of them is this week's Worker of the Week, Lily Bruce. Find out more about Lily here: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-th... #WorkeroftheWeek