"Because it was an EGG-splorer."
😂😂😂
05.03.2026 17:02
👍 1
🔁 0
💬 1
📌 0
"Because it was an EGG-splorer."
😂😂😂
If you've got the "silver cups and dishes" ready we can bring an "egg" for breakfast. 😂
For some reason someone left Horrid Henry's Jumbo Joke Book on our desk. So all we have is...
"Why did the egg go into the jungle?"
(Next year we'll make sure that our closest book is a bit more on topic...😂)
Worker of a Week is a series of blog posts, which shares the story of someone connected to H.M. Factory Gretna.
As always a huge thank you goes to our research volunteers for making this possible.
#WorkeroftheWeek #localhistory #localhistorymatters #HMFactoryGretna
A collage of four photos which include some slices of corn beef, a bowl of Worchester sauce, a jar of honey and some grated cheese.
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
It's always great to take the time to look out for wildlife and make space for nature. 🐾
Have you spotted any wildlife while you've been out and about or in your garden
recently?
Let us know in the comments and we'd love to see your wildlife photos too! 📸
An illustration of a hedgehog with a small snake in front of it on a rectangle cigarette card.
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
Four people stood with tennis rackets on Eastriggs tennis courts. This is a black and white photo from the past.
Some activities that factory workers could get involved in during their down time from working at the nine mile, rural, site of H.M. Factory Gretna (this stretched from Dornock in Scotland to Longtown in England) include women's football & dances! Oh... and probably using the tennis courts too. 🎾
In fact, there was a whole Social and Recreational Committee, which supervised all amusements and recreational facilities.
Why?
Well, it was recognised that a happy workforce could be more efficient. Plus, it helped to keep munitions workers safe & out of mischief during their spare time.
Gretna bowling green and tennis courts. There is a field with some houses in the background. This is a black and white photo from the past.
🎾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
Two CPR models on the floor with two members of The Devil's Porridge Museum's team beside them. Two people are sat at at table in front of this.
Four members of The Devil's Porridge Museum's team gathered around a table. First Aid instructor Stuart Rob is preforming CPR on a model in the background.
Four members of The Devil's Porridge Museum's team gathered around a table. First Aid instructor Stuart Rob is preforming CPR on a model in the background.
Two people from The Devil's Porridge Museum's team kneeling beside CPR models. Stuart from first aid 4 u is stood in front of them.
Yesterday some of our team at The Devil's Porridge Museum had some first aid training from 1st Aid 4 U.
A huge thank you to Stuart for the informative session and making the day enjoyable! 😀
Worker of a Week is a series of blog posts, which shares the story of someone connected to H.M. Factory Gretna.
Thank you to all our research volunteers for their help with this! ⭐
#WorkeroftheWeek #localhistory #localhistorymatters #HMFactoryGretna
A black and white photo of Isabella Kennedy and a triangle shaped on War Service badge.
We're continuing to share the stories about munitions workers who got into some bother for being involved in a theft from a Gretna "fried fish" shop in February 1917. 🐟
This week it's the turn of Isabella Kennedy, who later emigrated to Canada.
Read more: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-th...
Please be aware that usual admission prices do apply for anyone wishing to explore The Devil’s Porridge Museum.
Find out more about this event here: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/the-pipers-t...
A bagpiper stood playing in The Devil's Porridge Museum's education room. Some people sit around the room listening.
Do you have any plans for International Bagpipe Day this year? We do and you're welcome to join us!
On Tuesday 10th March 2026 at 3pm we have The Piper's Tale. Explore the history and folklore of bagpipes with performances from pipers in our team.
This talk is free, though donations are welcome.
A collage of three photos, including a table set up for The Devil's Porridge Museum's Burn's Supper, the museum's Cordite Club and some old fashioned toys. There is some text, which reads, Monthly Roundup 19th January to 22nd February 2026.
Wondering what's been happening at The Devil's Porridge Museum recently?
From our Burns Supper, to Cordite Club & some Old Fashioned Fun, there's lots to catch up on.
Read about what's been happening at our museum from 19th January to 22nd February here: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/monthly-roun...
A selection of old fashioned toys arranged on a table. This includes two baskets. One of these baskets is filled with cup-and-ball toys. There is also a slipper and some Jacob's ladder toys on the table.
Who's joining us for some Old Fashioned Fun tomorrow?
Play with a range of traditional toys from the 19th & 20th centuries. Plus, make your own cup-and-ball. 🪀
This is a free activity. No booking needed. Entry prices apply for looking around the museum
www.devilsporridge.org.uk/old-fashione...
Worker of a Week is a Wednesday series of blog posts, which shares the story of someone connected to H.M. Factory Gretna.
Thank you to our research volunteers for helping to make this happen. 👏
#WorkerofTheWeek #localhistory #localhistorymatters #HMFactoryGretna
1️⃣The first of these is Minnie Turnbull (and we'll be sharing some more about a couple of the other munitions workers involved in coming weeks).
Find more about Minnie and learn about food at H.M. Factory Gretna here: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-th...
#WorkeroftheWeek
Three bottles of Worcestershire sauce, two tins of corned beef, six jars of honey and nine chunks of cheese. The Devil's Porridge Museum logo is in the lower left corner.
On this month (February) in 1917, The Dumfries & Galloway Standard reported on a theft that saw a group of munitions workers steal some honey, cheese, corn beef and Worcestershire sauce from a local Gretna shop. 🧀🍯
They all had to face the consequences of their actions.
#WorkeroftheWeek
The Devil's Porridge Museum from outside with an illustration of a fire horse and some text, which reads "2026 Happy Lunar New Year."
Two horses with their riders stood in The Devil's Porridge Museum's car park.
We would also like to wish everyone a Happy Lunar New Year.
2026 is the year of the horse. 🐎🐴
We were proud to have some horses join us for our Animal in War Remembrance Service last year. Horses are also remembered on our Animals in War Memorial & display about animals in war inside our museum.
An advert McDougall's Self Raising Flour from 1914, which incudes a recipe for pancakes. This reads "Pancakes. Shrove Tuesday, Feb 24. Make them with McDougall's Self-Raising Flour, and they will simply 'melt in your mouth.' They should be made this way: To each pound of McDougall's Flour add 2 beaten-up eggs and a little salt. Make into a smooth batter with about 3 pints of milk then fry till nicely browned both sides. The raising ingredients are mixed in to exactly correct proportions. McDougall's Flour is sold in bags of 1lb and 12lbs by all Grocers. City Flour Mills. Manchester, Wheatsheaf Mills, London."
Did someone say pancakes? 🥞🥞🥞🤤
We've found a recipe from 1914 (even if it is in an advert for McDougall's Self-Raising Flour).
Is anyone treating themselves to some pancakes for Pancake Day (or Shrove Tuesday) today?
Also do you have any good suggestions for pancake toppings?
😋🥞
The Solway Viaduct from Seafield postcard. This shows a large bridge stretching across the Solway. This is a black and white postcard photo from years gone by.
Anyone heard of The Solway Viaduct? 🌉
Did you know that during WW1 this helped to supply H.M. Factory Gretna?🤔
The Solway Viaduct was a railway line and bridge that once connected England and Scotland.
#EYAConnections #ExploreYourArchive
@exploreyourarchive.bsky.social @arascot.bsky.social
If they accidentally took some metal hair pins in it could have been even more so!💥
Who knew metal buttons or hairpins could be such a risky fashion choice? 😂
Luckily, the Women's Police Force used to search munitions workers on the way in & out of the factory site.
If found there were fines.
Fancy reading more about some of the women who worked at the factory?
On the collections section of our website, we have:
💥Our H.M. Factory Gretna workers database.
💥Our Collections & History blog, which regularly shares stories about people connected to the factory
www.devilsporridge.org.uk
Gretna. Sampling Acid from Absorbing Towers. Dornock Denitrators. A munition worker sampling acid from absorbing tower in the Dornock section of H.M. Factory Gretna. The munitions worker is focused on what she is doing. This is a black and white archive photo from World War One.
Gretna. Testing Denitrated Acid Dornock Denotators. A munitions worker testing the denitrated acid from some pipes in the Dornock section of H.M. Factory Gretna. This is a black and white archive photo from the past.
Two munitions workers handling scientific equipment. They are both concentrating. This is a black and white archive photo of H.M. Factory Gretna from World War One.
We just heard that it's International Day of Women and Girls in Science! 👩🔬👩🔬
During World War One around 12,000 women worked at H.M. Factory Gretna. Many of these would have worked with the chemical process of making cordite.
#InternationalDayofWomenandGirlsinScience
Remember every Wednesday we share the story of someone connected to H.M. Factory Gretna.
👏Thank you to our research volunteers, who have helped to make this possible.
#WorkeroftheWeek
A street of houses on Vancouver Road, Eastriggs in the past. This is an archive photo from an auction book of H.M. Factory Gretna which was created in 1924
Our latest Worker of the Week is Herbert Sharp Greenough. He lived in Vancouver Road in Eastriggs and worked at a chemist at H.M. Factory Gretna.👨🔬
Find out more about Herbert here: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-th...
#WorkeroftheWeek
A table full of traditional toys, such as Jacob's Ladder and pick up sticks. The Devil's Porridge Museum's Youth and Community Engagement Officer, Tom, is stood behind the table. He looks happy.
On 20th February 2026 come and play with a range of traditional toys from the 19th & 20th centuries and make your own cup-and-ball to take away.
This is a free activity for families.
Admission prices apply to anyone looking around the museum.
Learn more: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/old-fashione...
