Commemorative window to be focus of heritage exhibition

A print of a unique stained glass window in a Perthshire restaurant will form the centrepiece of a new exhibition.

The window in Littles Restaurant, Rattray, formerly the Riverside Methodist Church, commemorates the role of the Labour Corps in the First World War.

It will form part of the newly formed Our Heritage, Blairgowrie and Rattray group’s biggest event yet, to be held in Blairgowrie Library from Saturday until Monday.

Group chairman Ian Richards said: “We’ve already used the library for two other pop-up events earlier in the year.

“This special commemorative weekend exhibition, marking 100 years since the end of the Great War, is our biggest yet.

“Up to 19,000 Labour Corps members are estimated to have been stationed here at Blairgowrie during the war, using the Riverside Methodist Church for meals, respite and as a place in which to write letters home.

“Many local people nowadays were not fully aware of this, or the role they played in the war. They certainly weren’t aware of the window’s existence in what was the Methodist Church for many years.”

The window is the only stained glass art in Britain commemorating the First World War Labour Corps. It was commissioned in 1922 and painted by artist Anning Bell.

The exhibition will include personal memorabilia from members of the local community, along with material from The Black Watch Museum.

Visitors who want to see the window itself will have to wait until Tuesday as the restaurant is currently closed.