As we are heading towards the end of October and the dark nights draw upon us, we look back to a time when the 22nd James Bond film Quantum of Solace premiered, severe storms hit parts of the UK, and Hallowe'en was on everybody's minds.

All that happened in the last few weeks of October 2008 – but what was going on closer to home in Helensburgh?

Here, we’ve picked out some of our favourite photos from 15 years ago this week, courtesy of the Advertiser’s archives. Whose names and faces do you recognise?

Helensburgh Advertiser: A talented artist became the centre of attention herself when she celebrated a milestone — her 100th birthday. The works of Mrs Celia McCormack were prominently displayed on the walls of Helensburgh’s Morar Lodge Care Home in Glasgow Street when her special birthday was marked. The centenarian attended art school, where she met her late husband, and over the years enjoyed painting portraits and landscapes.A talented artist became the centre of attention herself when she celebrated a milestone — her 100th birthday. The works of Mrs Celia McCormack were prominently displayed on the walls of Helensburgh’s Morar Lodge Care Home in Glasgow Street when her special birthday was marked. The centenarian attended art school, where she met her late husband, and over the years enjoyed painting portraits and landscapes. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: Over 30 swashbuckling pirates had a great time at a party to celebrate National Bookstart Day. Helensburgh Library was awash with the pirates singing and laughing as they enjoyed the Bookstart Rhymetime with songs, stories, and puppets.Over 30 swashbuckling pirates had a great time at a party to celebrate National Bookstart Day. Helensburgh Library was awash with the pirates singing and laughing as they enjoyed the Bookstart Rhymetime with songs, stories, and puppets. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: A former Helensburgh police sergeant has returned to her former beat — as the town’s first female police chief. Inspector Judy Wilson served in the town six years ago before moving to other departments within the Strathclyde force but returned to take charge of the Helensburgh and Lomond area. A former Helensburgh police sergeant has returned to her former beat — as the town’s first female police chief. Inspector Judy Wilson served in the town six years ago before moving to other departments within the Strathclyde force but returned to take charge of the Helensburgh and Lomond area. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: A meeting held in Helensburgh saw the establishment of a new project to help homeless people in the area. The meeting took place in the West Kirk and several speakers were invited to address the audience. As a result, there are hopes of setting up a project in the area and another meeting was scheduled to develop the decision.A meeting held in Helensburgh saw the establishment of a new project to help homeless people in the area. The meeting took place in the West Kirk and several speakers were invited to address the audience. As a result, there are hopes of setting up a project in the area and another meeting was scheduled to develop the decision. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: An environment-conscious community group held a beach clean in Cardross and collected around 40 sacks of rubbish. A volunteer group of about 15 people, armed with bin bags, litter tongs and heavy-duty gloves, took to the shore between Ferry Road and Murrays Road at Geilston. This was the third year that the beach clean had been held and the group were pleased with the results. An environment-conscious community group held a beach clean in Cardross and collected around 40 sacks of rubbish. A volunteer group of about 15 people, armed with bin bags, litter tongs and heavy-duty gloves, took to the shore between Ferry Road and Murrays Road at Geilston. This was the third year that the beach clean had been held and the group were pleased with the results. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: Beavers did what beavers do in Cardross and built a dam. Twenty boys and girls from the 1st Cardross Beaver Colony enjoyed a sleepover and enjoyed dam building, ‘wide’ games, boat making and other things including the washing up. In this picture, the group are learning about the best way to build their own dam.Beavers did what beavers do in Cardross and built a dam. Twenty boys and girls from the 1st Cardross Beaver Colony enjoyed a sleepover and enjoyed dam building, ‘wide’ games, boat making and other things including the washing up. In this picture, the group are learning about the best way to build their own dam. (Image: Newsquest)