IT'S yet another busy weekend of events in the Helensburgh and Lomond area – with plenty to keep young ones occupied as the schools break up for the October holiday.

Here's your diary of events for the next few days – if you know of something that isn't on the list below, please get in touch and we'll update this story with all the details.

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Knitters' coffee morning

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the 'k2 together' knitting group is hosting a coffee morning on Saturday, October 5 from 10am-12 noon in Cardross Parish Church halls.

There will be a raffle, book stall, sales table and a display of the group's work.

Contact Rebecca Maclachlan on 07745 243171 for more details about the event.

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LATEST HEADLINES: Man charged with £1,000 theft from Waitrose in Helensburgh

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Colquhoun Square clean-up

Helensburgh Community Council's volunteers are holding their latest Colquhoun Square clean-up this Saturday, October 5, from 10am until 12 noon.

As summer fades to a distant memory, tasks on the agenda on Saturday include weeding, spraying of bindweed, dead-heading and cutting back of plants that have flowered, and laying of bark chips.

The tidy-up team will be joined by volunteers from the local Army cadet detachment but would welcome contributions from any members of the public. Just bring a pair of gardening (or other stout) gloves with you to the square at 10am, and get stuck in!

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LATEST HEADLINES: RNLI's Helensburgh lifeboat finds body in dinghy adrift on the Clyde

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Talent on show at church

St Michael's Church in William Street, Helensburgh is holding an exhibition of talents on Saturday, October 5 from 10.30am until 4.30pm.

There will be a sale of crafts and produce, including needlework, woodwork, pottery, artwork, cakes, preserves and much more.

An accompanying programme of organ and strings music will complement a visit to the beautiful A-listed church.

Entry is £3 and includes coffee and light refreshments.

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LATEST HEADLINES: Naval ships from 14 countries set to gather at Faslane this weekend

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Apple day at Geilston Garden

GEILSTON Garden in Cardross is hosting a season celebration of the apple this Saturday, October 5, between 12 noon and 4pm.

During the afternoon you can become an apple expert by following the ‘apple trail’ and help Apple Man John Hancox press apples and have a taster of the juice.

Local beekeepers and other wildlife experts will illustrate the role and range of bees, butterflies and bugs in the gardens.

You can also visit the ‘William Tell Dell’ to get stuck into some junior archery and try the apple themed Treasure Hunt.

There's also a Bake Off-style 'Show Us Your Bakes' feature, with talented bakers invited to bring along their home-made apple-based creations.

In addition, members of Girlguiding Dunbartonshire will be on hand to support and assist, as well as providing a display on the links between Girlguiding and Geilston.

There will also be soup and bread, kindly donated by local supplier the Ginger Breadman, and teas with homemade cake.

Entry is free for NTS members; normal admission charges apply for non-members, though there’s also an ItIsOn deal running online at present offering entry to Geilston at £7 for two adults or a family.

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LATEST HEADLINES: MoD to pilot new service personnel accommodation model at HM Naval Base Clyde

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Hockey

Helensburgh Hockey Club's second team play host to their counterparts from Stepps this Saturday, October 5, in their latest fixture in West District Division 3 North.

Push-back at Hermitage Academy is at 12.15pm.

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LATEST HEADLINES: £50m rural growth deal cash confirmed for Argyll and Bute

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Rugby

Helensburgh Rugby Club play host to Oban Lorne on Saturday afternoon in the last of three home fixtures in a row for the Greens in Tennent's West Regional Division Two.

Kick-off at Ardencaple is at 3pm.

The club is also hoping to assemble enough bodies for a 'social' match against Oban's second XV at 1.30pm on Saturday – get in touch via the club's Facebook page to offer your services!