A unique, one-off feel good Festival – the ‘Pack Up Your Troubles Festival’, is set to take place in Gretna and Eastriggs from 28-31 August this year.
Planned by the local communities in which Pack Up Your Troubles will take place, the Festival celebrates 100 years since Gretna and Eastriggs were incorporated as townships, built to support the influx of workers who flocked to the area to work at HM Munitions Factory Gretna.
The Festival will feature a range of events including an old style music hall concert, a stylised World War One tearoom, classic bus tours of the area, some fabulous concerts, cooking demonstrations and educational workshops on the period.
The Festival aims to be a showcase for the fascinating World War One and social history of the area and appeal to residents and visitors alike.
Councillor Archie Dryburgh, the Council’s Armed Forces champion said;
“After ther commemorations of the Quintinshill railway disaster it is good to move onto the much more positive celebration of Gretna and Eastriggs joint 100th birthday. I know the Pack Up festival will be of interest to many people and organisations linked to the armed forces, and I’m convinced that many hundreds of people will enjoy taking part in our great programme of events.”
Richard Brodie, Chairman of the Devil’s Porridge Museum Board and Councillor for Annandale South and said,
“Gretna and Eastriggs made a huge contribution to the World War One effort, a contribution that is beautifully detailed and told in our new Museum. We look forward to welcoming old friends and new during the Pack Up Festival weekend, and to evoking the spirit of an era that is integral to our nation’s historic sense of pride in itself. If you want to pack up your troubles next month you know where to come!”
Craig Peacock, Councillor for Annandale East and Eskdale and the Council’s Depute Events Champion said;
“Our Council has got right behind the Pack Up Your Troubles Festival and is fully supportive of local people’s desire to celebrate their heritage and birthday in style. I’m delighted that such active and exemplary community planning for this Festival is coming to fruition in a very positive and upbeat way. We have a terrific festival programme with broad appeal.”
The Pack Up Your Troubles Festival is planned to be accessible, affordable and fun for all. Dumfries and Galloway Council is providing £25,000 of funding for the weekend of events, with a major advertising campaign promoting the Festival to local residents and potential visitors from Cumbria and the Central Belt of Scotland.
For full details on the Festival call the Midsteeple Box Office on 01387 253383 and request a brochure.
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