Devils Porridge Celebrates 5th Year In Fantastic New Building

The Devil’s Porridge Museum at Eastriggs near Annan in Dumfries and Galloway celebrated five years in its current building on Wednesday 31^st July.  “It seemed like the perfect time to get together to mark the move from the livery stables at Daleside to the purpose built, modern building at Stanfield,” said Judith Hewitt, Museum Manager.  “It has been a really successful few years for the museum and we wanted to celebrate this with our volunteers, staff and supporters.  We’ve achieved and retained Five Star status, we are now an accredited museum, we won a Scottish Thistle Award and we’ve recently been shortlisted for a national award, ‘The Most Family Friendly Museum in the UK.’”  Volunteers gathered together for speeches, toasts, a buffet and a Birthday cake. 

The event was a happy one but tinged with sadness as one of the key people behind the success of the Devil’s Porridge Museum, Sheila Ruddick, who was the Treasurer for over twenty years, passed away in April.  “You can’t celebrate the success of the museum without thinking of Sheila, so this seemed like the right time to commemorate her contribution within the museum.” continued Judith.  “Sheila created and loved our 1940s house so we have renamed it ‘Sheila’s House’.  We unveiled a sign with a photograph of her which includes the words: The Devil’s Porridge is her museum.  This is how we all feel about Sheila, she made this museum the success it is today and we were delighted to be joined by Howard and the Ruddick family to mark her life’s work.” 

Photo shows Devil’s Porridge volunteers with Howard and the Ruddick family.