FIFTY years ago in November a meeting was held at the Victoria Halls which would change the lives of many people in the area.

The Helensburgh branch of Enable was set up and it was to have a profound effect on people with learning disabilities, as well as their families.

Douglas Buchanan, chairman of the branch, can hardly believe 50 years has passed since his cherished mother Rachel called the first meeting and co-founded the organisation with Jean Jahoda.

He still remembers the busy meetings and the stacks of homemade Christmas cards which would sit in piles in the hallway ready to be sold to generate funds for the branch.

Now he is compiling all of the history - which is in the shape of a big box-load of yellowing newspaper articles and old newsletters - to form a book to mark the branch's special history.

He said: "Much of the information comes from old copies of the Helensburgh Advertiser and all the documentation has been kept throughout the years.

"It is a social history.

"What we were doing mirrors what was happening nationally and the Helensburgh branch was always seen as leading the way.

"This is such a one-off and this will not come around again.

"Even the 60th anniversary is not as poignant as 50 years.

"It is incredible to think we have been a family involved right from the beginning and it is hard to believe how quickly it has gone by." Now Douglas says it is important for the branch to look back in order to look forward.

He said: "The branch has come a long way and huge changes have been made.

"There wasn't support for people with learning disabilities then.

"The biggest achievement is that people with learning disabilities have been accepted as part of the community.

"There is more awareness now.

"It doesn't mean to say that people with learning disabilities will not get a hard time.

"They have more opportunities now.

"For us it is maintaining what we have at the moment and recognising our limitations.

"A lot of campaigning is going to be needed to fight our corner because of the cuts to come but a lot more people are equipped to deal with it.

"We are not afraid to speak up." Douglas explained how the organisation has gone from strength to strength - from securing its first mini-bus to having a £200,000 campaign to mark its 30th anniversary.

Douglas spotted two houses sitting on Old Luss Road 20 years ago and he envisioned a dream to buy and refurbish them and turn them into homes for people with learning disabilities.

A campaign was initiated and it was the Helensburgh Advertiser's front page story. Within time, the houses were bought and Douglas's dream was realised.

He said: "It took a while but what it sums up is that the branch has always been pro-active.

"People have lived in the houses ever since, and it is stories like these which will be in the book." A steering group has been set up to co-ordinate celebrations and a special logo has been designed to mark the occasion.

The plans are still in the making but it looks set to be a great year for the branch, which is part of Enable Scotland.

The launch in November will see a gala ball being held in Victoria Hall and the branch is in the process of organising it.

Then on June 22 and 23 next year, in line with Learning Disability Week, the branch will hold two days of activities, involving different Enable branches, as well as the public. Another idea which has been mooted is to have a giant congo.

The branch is still campaigning for people with learning disabilities and Douglas says there is still much to be done.

He said: "Respite for carers is an issue and we also want to start a drama and music group for the members because they have a lot of creativity and it is something they would enjoy." A full schedule of the celebrations will be announced at a later date.

THE branch had a fun-packed week of activities during Learning Disability Week this year.

The week, from June 21 to 27 is a national awareness week run by Mencap to raise awareness of the issues that are important to people with a learning disability, their families and carers.

The week kicked off with a bowling challenge at Hermitage Park and then the next day a delicious barbecue was held.

The Wednesday saw a coffee morning being held at the United Reform Church followed by a celidh on Thursday.

The busy week wrapped up on Friday with a disco.

The branch hold activities during the week every year and Helene MacDonald, co-ordinator of the Tuesday group, said members look forward to it all year.

She said: "They all had a great time and it is a big highlight for them."