Making Our Communities Better Places Fund Eastriggs and Gretna Heritage Group
Joanne Gordon, Housing Officer of Cunninghame Housing Association recently presented a cheque for £1,000 to Councillor Richard Brodie, Chairperson of the Eastriggs and Gretna Heritage Group.
The Eastriggs and Gretna Heritage Group run the Devil’s Porridge Museum in Eastriggs which tells the amazing story of how Gretna and Eastriggs were built to house the 30,000 workers who built and worked in the greatest WW1 munitions factory on earth. A combination of staff and volunteers not only welcome visitors but also provide an important facility for the local community, delivering activities for all ages, especially focusing on young people and schools as well as running a lunch club for the over 60’s. The work undertaken within the community by the group was recognised in 2023 by winning a Scottish Thistle Award in the South of Scotland for their inclusive efforts in Eastriggs.
The funding awarded by Cunninghame Housing Association was to help support some of the activities that are offered to both young and old within the Museum such as activities for those who attend the Lunch Club for over 60’s, as well as youth activities, Halloween and Christmas parties. By providing this funding it allows the Group to help subsidise some of the costs, removing the financial burden from those within the community.
Janet Strang, Chairperson of CHA commented, “We are delighted to be able to provide financial support to the Eastriggs and Gretna Heritage Group, supporting the hard work that they continue to carry out for the local community, helping to bring everyone together and create a community spirit and accessible to all.”
The funding for the Eastriggs and Gretna Heritage Group came from the Associations “Making Our Communities a Better Place Fund” which operates throughout the year (1 st April to 31 st March) until the allocated funding is exhausted.
Local Groups or individuals interested in discovering more about the Association Making Our Communities Better Places Fund can do so by visiting their website http://cunninghamehousing.org where you can also download an application form.
