Over 40 members of the community attended the unveiling of the window, currently located in Ore Valley’s offices at the heart of Cardenden, on Wednesday the 25th of March 2026. At 2 metres tall by 1 metre wide, the window makes a striking impression.

This project has been undertaken in a partnership between Ore Valley Housing, the WEA and stained glass artist and WEA tutor Keira McLean.

The window tells the stories of Auchterderran, Bowhill, Cardenden and Dundonald from the perspective of the people who live there. Among the many things explored in the window is the legacy of mining and pit closures, the impact of women in the community and the campaigns still being fought by residents today.

Learners visited historic sites, created new writing and recorded each other’s oral histories and memories as material for the window design.

The group then learned various glass techniques like traditional painting and etching to find the best way to represent their stories.

One of the learners has shown real aptitude and interest in the craft and he is now apprenticing with Keira one day a week at her studio in Glasgow. He is working towards teaching stained glass in communities and he wants to share his passion with others.

Colin McInnes, deputy CEO / housing manager at Ore Valley Housing Association, said: “The beautiful stained‑glass window now proudly displayed in our Cardenden Office has been made possible through a strong and valued partnership between Ore Valley Housing, the WEA, and the talented stained‑glass artist and WEA tutor, Keira McLean.

“Their combined support, expertise, and commitment to community learning along with the skills and effort of all the participants  have allowed this project to shine—quite literally.

“This project illustrates that communities like Cardenden continue to retain great pride in their local history, especially in former mining areas like our own, areas that delivered so much to Scotland and the wider UK yet now suffer from a lack of economic investment. The window project encapsulates so many great things about our community including its strength and resilience and spirit for the future.”

Group members said: “This course has saved me. It has helped turn my life around. I really appreciate you.”

“I’ve felt this has given me more reason to get up and out of the house than any other class it’s not just ordinary crafting group using glue dots.”

“This course lifted my health issues due to the circumstances of losing my wife, she would have been proud of me attending.”