As the end of October approaches, there is only one big event on everyone's mind - Hallowe'en. We look back to a time when a weak earthquake hit Hereford and Worcestershire, SATs tests were scrapped and The Office for National Statistics revealed that Britain's economy had shrunk by 0.5 per cent.

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 pilot project, which promoted active citizenship among children, has proved to be so successful that it is to be rolled out for other youngsters. A group of seven to 11 year-olds from three Helensburgh primary schools took part in a number of activities on the Junior Wardens Scheme to promote community safety.A pilot project, which promoted active citizenship among children, has proved to be so successful that it is to be rolled out for other youngsters. A group of seven to 11 year-olds from three Helensburgh primary schools took part in a number of activities on the Junior Wardens Scheme to promote community safety. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: More than £3,500 has been raised to help boost the fight against polio across the world. Helensburgh Rotary Club organised a Sportsman’s Dinner in the Commodore Hotel supported by members and businesses. The event was chaired by vicepresident Bryan Wight with guest speakers—former Scotland manager Craig Brown CBE and radio presenter Duncan Cameron. More than £3,500 has been raised to help boost the fight against polio across the world. Helensburgh Rotary Club organised a Sportsman’s Dinner in the Commodore Hotel supported by members and businesses. The event was chaired by vicepresident Bryan Wight with guest speakers—former Scotland manager Craig Brown CBE and radio presenter Duncan Cameron. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: Young dancer Sammy Jo Marshall was set to take to the stage at the Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow with the Apollo Players. Sammy Jo, a fifth year Hermitage pupil, danced in the production of Oliver at the Pavilion Theatre. The 16-year-old, a pupil of the Ian McLeod Theatre School in Helensburgh, took part in her second production with the popular Glasgow am-dram group, having previously danced in their production of Fame.Young dancer Sammy Jo Marshall was set to take to the stage at the Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow with the Apollo Players. Sammy Jo, a fifth year Hermitage pupil, danced in the production of Oliver at the Pavilion Theatre. The 16-year-old, a pupil of the Ian McLeod Theatre School in Helensburgh, took part in her second production with the popular Glasgow am-dram group, having previously danced in their production of Fame. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: This photographer was part of a class from the of Hermitage Academy taken during the Second World War. The photograph of boys, aged around 13, was taken in 1943 and was only some of a class size of around 45 and contained some evacuees from Clydebank who fled the Blitz.This photographer was part of a class from the of Hermitage Academy taken during the Second World War. The photograph of boys, aged around 13, was taken in 1943 and was only some of a class size of around 45 and contained some evacuees from Clydebank who fled the Blitz. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: A Helensburgh minister was behind a project to fund the education of needy Christian children in the Holy Land. Church of Scotland ministers and elders backed a project by the Reverend Tina Kemp to set up a bursary scheme to help a boy and a girl through the six years of secondary school. Tina, auxiliary minister at the West Kirk in Colquhoun Square, put together the proposal with friend, the Rev Norma Moore of Jamestown Church in Alexandria, following a pilgrimage to the Holy Land earlier that year. A Helensburgh minister was behind a project to fund the education of needy Christian children in the Holy Land. Church of Scotland ministers and elders backed a project by the Reverend Tina Kemp to set up a bursary scheme to help a boy and a girl through the six years of secondary school. Tina, auxiliary minister at the West Kirk in Colquhoun Square, put together the proposal with friend, the Rev Norma Moore of Jamestown Church in Alexandria, following a pilgrimage to the Holy Land earlier that year. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: Girls of the 6th Helensburgh guides were all dressed up for Hallowe’en at their meetin. Erin Santry, Kirsty Bond, Chloe Hassall, lucy Ashworth, Samantha Chapuis and Ailie Grant are pictured in their outlandish costumes.Girls of the 6th Helensburgh guides were all dressed up for Hallowe’en at their meetin. Erin Santry, Kirsty Bond, Chloe Hassall, lucy Ashworth, Samantha Chapuis and Ailie Grant are pictured in their outlandish costumes. (Image: Newsquest)