Kirkandrews on Eden WI
June & July meetings.
On a beautiful June afternoon members went on an outing to the Devil’s
Porridge Museum in Eastriggs. We were welcomed with tea and scones and
listened to a short talk by one of the volunteers who run this museum.
This recently opened museum tells the story of the munitions factory which
was constructed in 1915, stretched for 9 miles in the area round Gretna Green
and Dornock and employed 30,000 workers. The Munitions Girls who worked
there mixed nitro-glycerine and gun cotton together using their hands until the
mixture resembled porridge. If any changes occurred to the mixture the girls
would be blown to pieces.
The museum also tells the story of the Quintinshill rail disaster which was the
worst in British history and happened 100 years ago.
Following this interesting visit we went to Smiths Hotel in Gretna Green and
enjoyed a lovely meal.
Members thanked Kathleen Bowron for organising this very enjoyable outing.
On a warm (but not sunny) July evening members and friends gathered in
Beaumont Parish Hall for our annual barbecue. We were welcomed by
President Margaret McKenna and told that Margaret Parkinson is recovering
from her recent operation. We all wished her a speedy recovery. Kathleen
Bowron reported that she had attended the Garden Party at Buckingham
palace and had a very enjoyable afternoon. Jean Wharton distributed the
County News.
We then enjoyed the food! Delicious meats accompanied by a variety of salads
made by the members. We then went on to the desserts. What a choice and it
was easy to sample two or three or more. Everyone enjoyed their meal and
there was a lot of chatter and merriment in the Hall.
After the food Cathy Stephenson organised a quiz which was won by Ann
Story, one of our guests. There was a draw and 8 prizes were claimed and
those who did not win were given sweets as a consolation.
The competition for a sun hat was won by Linda Beattie with Kathleen Bowron
second.
Margaret McKenna thanked everyone for coming and contributing to a very
successful evening.
Our next meeting is on Friday 14th August at 7.30pm in Beaumont Parish Hall.
Everyone is welcome.