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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Worker of the Week is a series which aims to share the story of someone connected to H.M. Factory Gretna. Thanks to everyone who helps to make this possible. #WorkeroftheWeek

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Friendship and family at a munitions factory. Clara Gladys Bramley Scott is this week's Worker of the Week. Her father and best friend also worked at the H.M. Factory Gretna. Huge thanks their relatives for kindly sharing this info and photos. Learn more: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-th...

A colourised photo of munitions worker Clara Gladys Bramley Scott sitting on a bench wearing her munitions workers uniform. This photo is from the past and has kindly been shared by her relatives.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Anyone fancy some free events in October 2026? Here's what we have coming up. Learn more about what's happening here: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/category/eve...

Some Warhammer miniatures with some text on top of it. This reads "Warhammer Taster Day. Monday 12th October 2026. Drop in and join us any time between 11am to 3pm. Warhammer Club Tuesdays 6pm to 8pm."

An Ironside Dalek model. Some text reads "Droids, Daleks and Death-Rays. Tuesday 13th October 2026. A free family craft activity. Drop in and join us any time between 11am to 12.30pm or 2pm to 3.30pm."

A munitions worker mixing a porridge-like explosive mixture in a large pan. She is wearing a cartoon witch hat and there is a cartoon frog inside the pan. Some text reads "Witches' Potions and Slime Making. Tuesday 20th October 2026. A free family activity. Drop in any time between 11am and 1pm."

Some illustrations of Zentangle patterns with a pot of pens. Some text on this reads "Wellbeing Wednesdays. Wednesday 28th October 2026. 7pm to 8.30pm. A relaxed evening with a craft activity. Aimed at adults and young people aged 14 and over."

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

What's better than one session of Warhammer next week? TWO! 📣 1️⃣We're having a Warhammer Taster Day on Monday 12th October 2026 from 11am to 3pm. 2️⃣ Our usual, weekly, Warhammer Club will be running on Tuesday from 6pm to 8pm. Learn more: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/warhammer-ta...

A selection of Warhammer figures and a model of a building arranged on some terrain.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

When Sir Arthur Conan Doyle visited the factory in 1916 and saw this process, he coined the term 'the devil's porridge' for this mixture.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

We're celebrating #ScottishMuseumsDay by taking part in a special #ABCofScottishMuseums. Our letter is P for Porridge Pot - an informal term for the nitrating pans used at HM Factory Gretna. These stoneware basins were used to mix nitroglycerin and cotton waste in the cordite munitions making.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Worker of the Week is a series were we aim to share the story of someone connected to H.M. Factory Gretna every week. Thank you to our fantastic research volunteers for all their hard work on this and everyone who makes this possible. #WorkeroftheWeek

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Do you know who was an "important appointment" at H.M. Factory Gretna? According to a newspaper article we've found, Robert Ray was. He's this week's Worker of the Week if you fancy finding out more about him. Read more: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-robert-ray #WorkeroftheWeek

Melbourne Avenue a tree lined street in Eastriggs. Some brick building are on the left of the road. This is a black and white photo from the past.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Have you heard The Devil's Porridge Museum's on a National Cycle route? 🚲 You'd be welcome to cycle to visit our museum or pop in our Café. We even have a bicycle stand outside too. #GreenTourism #WorldCarFreeDay

A bicycle from the past on display outside The Devil’s Porridge Museum. A modern bike stand and a sign for organic fresh coffee in the Cafe are in the background.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

The museum's Armistice Day commemoration with Animals in War Remembrance will take place on Wednesday 11th November at 11am We have our Wartime Christmas event on Saturday 5th December throughout the museum's usual hours 10am-4.30pm.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Spooky fun in October with Witches' Potions and Slime Making on Tuesday 20th October 11am-1pm Then the return of our Halloween Party for young adults, Thursday 29th October, 7-8.30pm

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Our new Wellbeing Wednesdays are starting soon - Mindfulness crafts for adults and friendly chat in the evenings, 7-8.30pm 30th September, 28th October, 25th November.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Thanks everyone for all your support and kind words. We really appreciate it. ♥️♥️ We're still hoping to reschedule our Wartime Weekend for a later date, but for now we thought we would look to the future and let you know about some of the events we do still have planned for this year. Read on...

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Never come across our Worker of the Week posts before? Every week we aim to share the story of someone connected to H.M. Factory Gretna in World War One. Thanks to our research volunteers and all who makes this possible. #WorkeroftheWeek

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Last week's Worker of the Week Valentine Duffy stole shoes, this week's Maggie Oxley stole clothing. If they'd worked together they might have had a full outfit ( & found themselves in even bigger trouble as a result, so please don't.) www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-maggie-oxley

A birds eye view of rows of hostel buildings in Gretna township. This is on a black and white postcard from the past.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Sorry everyone. We've had to cancel this event due to unforeseen circumstances. We still hope to hold our Wartime Weekend at a later date.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Our Wartime Weekend's not happening this weekend. 💔💔 Sorry everyone.

Hi everyone,

We’re sorry to have to do this, but unfortunately due to recent unforeseen events we’re having to cancel our upcoming Wartime Weekend. This was due to take place this weekend. We understand that many of you will be disappointed, we are too, and we hope you will continue to support our future events. We are intending to run the Wartime Weekend at a later date and we hope you will be able to join us for this.

If you would like to visit us, The Devil’s Porridge Museum will be open as usual this weekend but please be aware that we will have no additional events taking place. This was not an easy decision for us to make, but we hope that you can understand that we didn’t want to run an event which we felt would fall below the standard we advertised and you would expect from us, due to unforeseen events which have arisen since then.

Sorry everyone and all the best,

The Devil’s Porridge Museum Team.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

We asked the young people who come along to our Arts and Crafts Club to make you posters so we could tell you about their club. Here are the results... Thanks to them for making the posters! You can find out more about Arts and Crafts Club here: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/arts-and-crafts-club-2026

Three handmade posters for Arts and Crafts Club at The Devil's Porridge Museum. Each poster explains Arts and Crafts Club is on on Mondays from 3:30pm to 4:30pm for 7 to 11 year olds, is free and includes illustrations of craft supplies.

A handmade poster which reads "Arts and Crafts Club!! Monday 3.30 to 4.30pm. Free. 7 to 11 years old." The poster is decorated with illustrations of the sun, a happy emoji, a book called 'Agghh!!", a pencil, a pumpkin, scissors and a ghost.

A handmade poster, which reads " The Devil's Porridge Museum. Arts and Crafts Club with Wendy. Free. Mondays 3.30pm to 4.30pm for 7 to 11 year olds." There are some illustrations of craft supplies decorating the poster.

A handmade poster which reads "Arts and Crafts Club with Wendy. Mondays 3.30 to 4.30. Age 7 to 11 years old. Free." There is colourful illustrations of craft supplies, the sun and some ghosts on the poster.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

The Cumberland team scored from a penalty in the first half. However, The Mossband Swifts scored a later goal to equalise. Following this the Mossband Swifts scored again! However, the second goal was ruled offside, leaving the match tided at 1 to 1. #WomensFootballHistory #OnThisDay

A colourised photo of The Mossband Swifts women football team arranged in three rows. The back row are stood up. The middle row is sat down and the front row consists of two women sat on the floor with a leather football between them. The football reads Mossband AFC 1917.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

On this day... ⚽ On 10th September 1917, The Mossband Swifts, a women's football team from H.M. Factory Gretna, played a match against the workers of the local Cumberland works at Brunton Park in Carlisle. #WomensFootballHistory #OnThisDay

The Mossband Swifts women football team arranged in three rows. The back row are stood up. The middle row is sat down and the front row consists of two women sat on the floor with a leather football between them. The football reads Mossband AFC 1917. This is a black and white archive photo from the past.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Worker of the Week is a series which aims to share the story of someone connected to H.M. Factory Gretna. Thanks to everyone has made this possible. #WorkeroftheWeek #HMFactoryGretna

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Valentine Duffy stole a pair of shoes. He also worked as an apprentice engineer at H.M. Factory Gretna and is this week's Worker of the Week. You can read more about him here: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-th... (Also please don't steal. Valentine got in trouble for this.) #WorkeroftheWeek

A pair of sturdy boots without shoelaces.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Anyone fancy coming to our Wartime Weekend? 🪖 We'll have WW2 living history displays, artefact handling, crafts & more! (Plus, we even used crayons, paper and glue to make you a poster.) It's on Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th September 2026. Learn more: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/wartime-weekend-2026

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Are you interested in helping to shape the future of our museum? Our Annual General Meeting takes place to elect the trustees of the Eastriggs & Gretna Heritage Group, which manages the strategic development of The Devil's Porridge Museum. ⏰Monday 14th September 2026 at 7pm.

A poster for The Devil's Porridge Museum's Annual General Meeting 2026. This is happening on Monday 14th September 2026 at 7pm at The Devil's Porridge Museum. All welcome. Forms will be available for anyone wishing to join the SCIO, which would allow a vote in matters pertaining to the Eastriggs and Gretna Heritage Group (SCIO). This poster is held up in someone's hand in front of a sign which reads "The Devil's Porridge Museum."

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

On This Day... 3rd September 1939, at 11.15am, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain took to the airwaves to announce that Britain was at war with Germany. This followed an ultimatum given to Hitler to pull his troops out of Poland (after Germany invaded Poland) which Germany failed to respond to. 📻

A radio from the past on display inside The Devil's Porridge Museum. A button on the front reads "push to listen."

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

In case you haven't come across Worker of the Week before, it's a series which aims to share the story of someone connected to H.M. Factory Gretna. This is made possible by our awesome research volunteers. #WorkeroftheWeek #HMFactoryGretna

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Do you think that Dorothy Mary Champness would have been given a On War Service Badge like these? 🤔 Dorothy's this week's Worker of the Week, so you can find out more about her in this our latest blog. Read more here: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-th... #WorkeroftheWeek

Two brass On War Service badges. These are triangle shaped with a crown and the date 1916 in the middle.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

On this day ( 1st September 1939), the first wave of the evacuation of children from towns and cities to rural locations took place. This was known as Operation Pied Piper. Many evacuees were sent to the local area, including some Barnardo's evacuees, who were housed in many local stately homes.

A child and babies gas mask in a glass display case. In the background is an information panel which is titled "Operation Piped Piper." Under this display panel is a touchscreen on top of a stack of three suitcases. This is inside The Devil's Porridge Museum.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Potatoes! 🥔 Grow them! Bag them! Put them in a soup! 🥔 If you'd like a bag of potatoes grown in our very own Dig For Victory Garden we're currently selling them for £1 a bag in our museum and Café. They proved a smash hit yesterday, so we can't guarantee they'll be around for long...

Rows of potato plants in The Devil's Porridge Museum's Dig For Victory Garden.

Lots of small potatoes piled in a green box.

Three small brown paper bags of potatoes. A handwritten sign reads "potatoes grown in our garden. £1 a bag. Thank you."

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Worker of the Week is a series which aims to highlight someone connected to H.M. Factory Gretna. A huge thank you goes to all those who make this possible, including our research volunteers. #WorkeroftheWeek

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Did you know H.M. Factory Gretna had a town manager? 🤔 John Harkness, helped with recruitment at the local schools, select who let out the shops in Eastriggs and Gretna and more! He's this weeks Worker of the Week. www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-john-harkness #WorkeroftheWeek

A street of shops in Gretna township. London City and Midland bank is on the closest end of the photo. Crowds of people are walking down the road and stood on the pavement in front of the bank. This is a black and white photo from the past.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Have you heard it's International Dog Day? 🐶 Alas, our Dog Friendly Days are not until Thursday or Sunday each week, so you'll have to make do with some archive photos from our collection in the meantime. #DogDay #internationaldogday

A gentleman wearing a suit sat in a chair. A lady is stood beside him, leaning on the back of another chair with a small dog sat on it.

A man and woman sat on a wall. The mans arm is around the women's waist and a dog is sat at their feet.

A man leaning on the back of a deckchair that a lady is sat in. The lady is leaning down to stroke a large fluffy dog. They are in a garden and look happy.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Worker of the Week is a series which aims to share the story of someone connected to H.M. Factory Gretna. Thanks to everyone who makes this possible and a huge thank you to Margaret's relatives. Please expect this week's Worker of the Week blog on Wednesday as usual. 🤞 #WorkeroftheWeek

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Did you miss our Worker of the Week post last week? You know what... so did we! 😱 Last week's Worker of the Week was Margaret Orman, who lived at Gretna during her time working at the factory. Read more about her here: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-th... #WorkeroftheWeek

Margaret Orman sat on a chair. A man in a sailors uniform is stood to her left. This is a black and white photo from the past, which has kindly been shared by Margaret's relatives.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

We're delighted to have the Scotia Crafters back in our museum from Sunday 16th to Sunday 30th August 2026. Their Arts and Crafts market will be open 10am to 4pm daily. We always love to see the beautiful handmade items they have. Maybe you will too www.devilsporridge.org.uk/scotia-crafters-2026

A open doorway into The Devil's Porridge Museum's education room. A sign outside reads "welcome to Scotia Crafter Exhibition and Sale of Local Quality Made Crafts." Inside is a selection of tables with crafts on.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Worker of the Week is a series of blog posts which share the story to someone connected to H.M. Factory Gretna in World War One. Thanks to everyone who helps to make this possible. #WorkeroftheWeek

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Not only did Sydney Bertram Abbot work at H.M. Factory Gretna in World War One, but he seems to have worked at an Australian explosives factory during World War Two. 💥💥 He's this week's Worker of the Week too! www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-sydney-bertram-abbot #WorkeroftheWeek

An illustration with three factory workers in the middle and two additional munitions workers either side. A ribbon curls decoratively around the two munitions workers and forms the words "Farewell Mossband."

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

On this day, 12th August 1919, a sale of 300 huts from Gretna, Eastriggs & Longtown began. This was held across three days at 11am and was primarily to dispose of smaller buildings. It was not until 22nd July 1924, that Eastriggs and Gretna township and H.M. Factory Gretna itself, was auctioned.

A blue booklet in a glass display case. This booklet reads, "Important Sale of 300 huts, including hostels, sleeping huts, wet and dry canteens, laundries, architects' offices, chauffeurs' shelters, guard huts, recreation and mess rooms, women police barracks, stores, caretakers' huts, bathing huts, school house, wash-houses, cabins, garages, latrines, earth closets, watchmen's boxes, treaties. " "To be sold by action by Messrs, Robert Dalton & Son, On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday August 12th, 13th and 14th 1919.
1st Day's Sale - Gretna Township.
2nd Day's Sale - Eastriggs, Butterdales and Brow Houses.
3rd Day's Sale - Longtown, Mossband and Mill Hill.
Note - On the 3rd Day Transport will be available for purchases between Longtown and Mossband.
Sale at 11am to the minute each day."

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Do you know what happened today? ✈ ☢ On this day ( 11th August 1955 ) the United Kingdom Energy Authority secured the former site of RAF Annan to build Chapelcross Nuclear Power station. #OnThisDay #Onthisdayinhistory #localhistory #localhitstorymatters

Information panels about Chapelcross Nuclear Power Station inside The Devil's Porridge Museum. These are titled splitting the atom on the left wall. A photo of Chapelcross with its cooling towers and cows eating in a field is on the right wall. Underneath this is a touchscreen and two chairs.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Discover why the government took over all the pubs in Carlisle and district, why they made the beer weaker and the pubs drab at our State Management exhibition. 🍻 Learn more about our latest exhibition here: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/category/exh... #StateManagementScheme

A selection of bottle labels and coasters from the Carlisle and district State Management Scheme. The coasters are for Carlisle Brewery, while the labels are for lime juice cordial, blackcurrant cordial, light ale and special export. An illustration of a pub and a blue booklet are in the background.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Worker of the Week is a weekly blog, which aims to share the story of someone connected to H.M. Factory Gretna. A huge thank you to Agnes 'relatives for kindly sharing this photo and information to make this week's worker of the week blog possible! #WorkeroftheWeek

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

We think Agnes Renton might be the longest living H.M. Factory Gretna worker we've come across so far! Plus, her time at the factory helped her win a cruise ship edition of panel game show, "What's My Line?" Read more: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-agnes-renton #WorkeroftheWeek

Agnes Renton in her munitions workers uniform sat on a table. This is a black and white photo from the past, which has kindly been shared by Agnes' relatives.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

As it's Scottish Results Day, we would like to remind everyone that there's no wrong path to a successful career. Our Office Manager, Arna never expected to end up working in a museum! #NoWrongPath @museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk

Arna Johnston, The Devil's Porridge Museum. "I had no idea that one day I would be working in a management role at a museum. Having left school at almost 18 with a passion to meeting new people and worked in administration all my life starting off at the reception stage and worked my way through different department and roles within the administration sector, learning all aspects of the job, with a lot of hard work and determination to finally reaching the great heights of Office / Operational Manager at The Devil's Porridge Museum." There is a photo of Arna wearing a yellow jacket and smiling.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Worker of the Week is a series of blog post which aims to share the story of someone connected to H.M. Factory Gretna. Thanks goes to everyone who helps make this possible, especially all our amazing research volunteers! #WorkeroftheWeek #localhistory #localhistorymatters

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

👚💍Cotton blouses, a pillow and a gold ring are three items that munitions worker, Margaret Alice Laidlaw was accused of stealing. She's also this week's Worker of the Week. Find the full story in our latest Worker of the Week blog: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-th... #WorkeroftheWeek

Some cotton clothing folded up on a wooden chair. There is a green curtain in the background.

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

We’re looking for young people ( aged 15 to 25 ) who would like to bring their viewpoints, creativity, ideas, and enthusiasm to our museum! Learn more: www.devilsporridge.org.uk/were-looking-for-young-volunteers Thank to the generous support of our funders Young Start and The Holywood Trust.

devilsporridge.org.uk

We're Looking For Young Volunteers! - The Devil's Porridge Museum

We’re looking for young people ( age 15 to 25) who want to bring their viewpoints, creativity, ideas, & enthusiasm to our museum.

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Reposted by The Devil's Porridge Museum

British Library @britishlibrary.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

This July marks 110 years since the Battle of the Somme Often remembered through military history, these newspapers reveal the human stories behind one of the deadliest battles of the First World War

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Worker of the Week is a weekly series which aims to share the stories of people connected to H.M. Factory Gretna. Thanks again to our research volunteers and everyone who helps to make this possible. #WorkeroftheWeek

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Can anyone recognise the place on this postcard? We think this week's Worker of the Week, William Boustead, might have. William lived in Carlisle for most his life, he seems to have worked at H.M. Factory Gretna. He also repaired shoes. www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-william-boustead

A postcard of Botchergate in Carlisle. There are some tall buildings with people stood on the road between them and some tram lines. This is a black and white photo from the past. Underneath this is a handwritten note which reads "how do you like this view? One you collecting?"

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The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Don't blink, but if anyone does happen to end up at H.M. Factory Gretna during World War One after looking away from this statue, please leave us a note. Preferably an interesting one about something we don't know yet. Thanks in advance!🙂

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