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

We're all set for some Wartime Crafts! 🤩 Remember if you're visiting us today you can pop into our education room to make your own poseable wartime character to take home with you. This is included in your admission into The Devil's Porridge Museum.

85 years ago today... On This Day (7th April) in 1941, a lone German bomber returning from bombing the shipyards at Clydebank near Glasgow, dropped surplus bombs onto Gretna township. #OnThisDay #onthisdayinhistory #localhistory #localhistorymatters

Happy Easter! 🐣🐣🐣 Guess what we have on display? 👀 That's right, it's a toy rabbit! (Although, we have had a real one accidentally visit us before too...) During World War Two young evacuees could not take many things with them, but they may have found room for a toy like this rabbit. 🐰🐇

On Wednesday 8th April 2026 you can take the time for some creativity while exploring the museum and make your own poseable cardboard soldier or munitions worker to take away home. This is include in admission to The Devil's Porridge Museum. Learn more: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/wartime-char...

Some relationship advice from this early 20th century postcard: Don't keep telling her about how much you love tomatoes dude she's clearly over it.

On Wednesday's we have been sharing the story of someone from H.M. Factory Gretna. Our first one in April this year is Eric De Clemont. Unfortunately this is a sad one, as Eric died during his time working at the factory. Learn more: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-th... #WorkeroftheWeek

Feeling creative? 🎨 Tomorrow we have FREE drop-in Easter Craft Activities from 2pm to 4pm. Why not join us for some Easter and Spring themed crafts? You'll make something to take home with you.🐣🐇 Learn more and check out what else we have coming up here: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/easter-craft...

Did you know that today is the 89th day of the year, which means yesterday was the 88th day of the year, so yesterday was... World Piano Day? 🎹🎵 Do you know who was good at playing the piano? Ivy Herbet. She held piano lessons in the Gretna Institute in 1916. #WomensHistoryMonth #PianoDay

Here's your reminder that our museum opening hours will be changing next week. ⏰ 💥Until Sunday 29th March 2026 our opening hours are 10am to 5pm on Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays. 💥Starting from Monday 30th March 2026, our opening hours will be 10am to 4:30pm on Monday to Sunday.

🤯 Maud has an OBE and it's been over 100 years since she worked at H.M Factory Gretna, yet most people have never heard of her... We know this is a big ask... 👀 but we're over half way there... is there any chance we can get our original post about her to 1,000 likes for Women's History Month? 🙏 🤞

Meet the AMAZING Maud Bruce! 🤩 Bravely, she helped to put out fires at H.M. Factory Gretna. Due to her brave actions she was awarded a medal (a very important one). 🎖️ That's not all! She later went on to work at Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) Aycliffe in WW2. #WomensHistoryMonth #WorkeroftheWeek

Does anyone like Lego? We do! 🙋‍♀️ In fact, we like Lego so much that we've planned a whole weekend celebrating it! 🎉 ⏰It's on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th April 2026. Remember usual admission prices to The Devil's Porridge Museum will apply. Learn more: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/lego-weekend...

Our Arts and Crafts Club have been busy crafting mini paper suitcases, decorating eggs, boxes and much more this afternoon!💼 We love to see people enjoying our family friendly events and clubs! 😍

Did anyone else miss World Poetry Day on Saturday? We might have... forgotten... 🤦 Anyway, we'd still love to tell you about WW1 poet Madeline Ida Bedford. She wrote a poem about munitions workers wages and... we think she might have even worked at H.M. Factory Gretna! #WomensHistoryMonth

Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating today This photo shows Eid celebrations in Tiger Bay in the 1940s It comes from the Butetown History & Arts Centre Collection, preserved by Tiger Bay & the World www.tigerbay.org.uk We’re pleased to hold the collection at the Archives on their behalf

As Women's History Month continues, we thought we would share the story of Gertrude Menzies Harding. Born in Canada, Gertrude moved to London in 1912 & became a suffragette. We think she worked in the Welfare Department at H.M. Factory Gretna. #WomensHistoryMonth #WorkeroftheWeek

Last week we were proud to have our volunteer Scott play the bagpipes at our museum. Tom, our Youth & Community Engagement Officer, did too! This was part of our Piper's Tale talk which took place to mark International Bagpipes Day. Thank you to Scott, Tom & all who joined us! 😀

⏰Please be aware that The Devil's Porridge Museum's opening hours will be changing on Monday 30th March 2026. Our current opening hours will apply until Sunday 29th March 2026. Please check our admission times page for more details here: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/prices-and-o... Thank you! 😀

To celebrate Women's History Month we will be sharing the stories of some of the amazing women who worked at H.M. Factory Gretna in WW1. Mabel Cotterell was employed to set up the Welfare Department for women working at the factory. Later, she was interested in the State Management Scheme.

It's #InternationalBagpipeDay! To celebrate here are the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders in Salonika (c.1916) during #WW1. The photo is part of an album which belonged to Annie Allen, a nurse with the Scottish Women's Hospitals. Her unit was stationed in Salonika in 1916. #histnursing

It's TODAY! It's International Bagpipe Day! Fancy joining us to celebrate? You're welcome to drop in and join us for The Piper's Tale at 3pm. This talk is free, though donations to our museum are welcome. Admission prices apply to anyone looking around The Devil's Porridge Museum. #BagpipeDay

Today is International Women's Day. Did you know that 12,000 women once worked at H.M. Factory Gretna during World War One? Come and visit us to find out more about H.M. Factory Gretna and what life was like for those who worked there!

This week we're sharing our last blog about a group of munitions workers charged with a theft from a local shop in 1917. Each one had to face the consequences of their actions in court. This week's blog is about Ellen Doran. Read more: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-th... #WorkeroftheWeek

Today is World Wildlife Day! 🦔🐾 👀We've been on the look out for animals and we've found... a hedgehog in our archive! 🦔(Although, we should probably clarify that this is an illustration on a cigarette card... 😂) #WorldWildlifeDay

🎾It's World Tennis Day. Did you know that tennis courts were built for those who worked at H.M. Factory Gretna? The townships of Eastriggs & Gretna were built to house and facilitate the factory workers. In addition to housing, this included schools, shops & recreational facilities #WorldTennisDay