The Pack Up Your Troubles World War One nostalgia festival saw large streams of visitors make their way to Gretna and Eastriggs to recreate the days of the 20th century.
The two towns hosted a weekend of activities to celebrate their 100th birthdays and the anniversary of HM Munitions Factory Gretna being built. The factory was essential to the war effort and brought thousands of new people to the area. The once rural landscape was changed irrevocably as industrial and social changes completely transformed this corner of South West Scotland.
Councillor Archie Dryburgh, the Council’s Armed Forces champion was heavily involved in promoting the Pack Up Your Troubles weekend and enjoyed the whole experience. He said;
“The weekend was a great success with events being well attended. The Old Style Music Hall Concert on Friday was brilliant and the Vintage Rally had some quality vehicles and plant in attendance and I would wish to thank the participants for coming down to Gretna and joining in the event. I would also like to thank all the volunteers in Gretna and Eastriggs for their hard work in producing an excellent Festival. I have been advised several times by locals and visitors alike that the weekend was well worth attending.”
The Festival has supported local residents to interpret and build upon the heritage of their communities.
Craig Peacock, Councillor for Annandale East and Eskdale and the Council’s Depute Events Champion said;
“The weekend got off to an “explosive start” with the Old Time Music hall in Gretna which was a sell-out, the crowd had a ball and joined in with a lot of flag waving and singing to all the old classics.
From then on the weekend was a mixture of fantastic events, one of my highlights was being driven from Gretna to Eastriggs in the winning car from the vintage rally, a 1914 Arrol Johnston, dressed in my period outfit and waving my union jack to passers-by, great fun.
We “Packed Up” in All saints Church with a rousing concert from Fiona Harrison to a standing ovation and cries for “more”. I am delighted to have been involved in organizing this festival celebrating the history of the area I represent.”
Richard Brodie, Chairman of the Devil’s Porridge Museum Board and Councillor for Annandale South and said;
“The festival has been an overwhelming success and a magnificent commemoration of the beginning of Eastriggs and Gretna in 1915. We have recreated and enjoyed the great social life of the munitions workers, lapping up the old music hall experience, dancing the night away and laughing along with Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. A special tribute to our army of volunteers who did their bit and to the excellent performers who helped us all to pack up our troubles.
Undoubtedly, the Devil’s Porridge Museum had its best weekend in 19 years, with a full house of visitors; the classic bus tours could have been filled twice over and it was standing room only for the John Crouch cookery demos and our other workshops.”
