Helensburgh archives takes a look back at February 2009

So much has happened in Helensburgh and Lomond already this year, from the announcement of five bidders' proposals on the redevelopment of the waterfront, new owners' plan to carry on the legacy of fruit and vegetable business, and a karate instructor in Garelochhead sharing their delight after students got orange belts.

But what was happening in and around the town 15 years ago this month?

In the February 5, 2009 edition of the paper, we reported people in Helensburgh celebrating Burns Nights with food and dance, a dance school performing for a packed theatre and a supermarket helping to raise money for a charitable cause.

Whose faces do you recognise in the photos below?

A giant alarm clock and shop staff dressed in pyjamas, dressing gowns, nightcaps and slippers greeted Co-op customers. But staff hadn’t slept in, they wore the unusual dress to help launch a £2 million fundraising campaign for the RNID (Royal National Institute for the Deaf). Along with thousands of their colleagues across the UK, workers hoped to raise the highest amount by the end of the year as well as helping to increase awareness of deafness and the signs of hearing loss. (Image: Newsquest)

A concert of Scottish songs held in Helensburgh’s West Kirk raised £1,200 for Alzheimer Scotland. The concert featured the singing talents of Burgh stars Lorna Anderson and Jamie MacDougall and the world famous Haydn Trio Eisenstadt. Around 250 people attended the event and local Alzheimers Support branch chair man Findlay McQuarrie said: “We were delighted and it just shows the support the Helensburgh community gives to what they think are good causes.” (Image: Newsquest)

A significant milestone in the history of the Royal Navy Police was achieved when their rank badges were changed to reflect their present day role. It follows a number of high level reviews over the past few years, culminating in the change of name from Regulators to Royal Navy Police. (Image: Newsquest)

It wasn’t quite a tribute to Burns but there was an acknowledgement to the Bard when members of Cardross WRI held their annual Scots Night. On the menu was haggis, neeps and tatties followed by dessert and oatcakes, biscuits and cheese. Entertainment was provided by One Foot in the Stave in Cardross Church hall for the 100 diners, who included local members and representatives from other Institutes around the area. The group of seven had Scots songs in their repertoire, including Auld Lang Syne and there was also a reading of Holy Willie’s Prayer. (Image: Newsquest)

A Helensburgh Burns Club had a full house at its first Burns supper since restarting. The event was held in Helensburgh Masonic Hall and such was the response that the club is already looking at holding next year’s event in the Victoria Halls. The evening began in traditional fashion with the piping in of the haggis, a duty performed by Colin Lawrie whose father had carried out the same duty at the last meeting of the club in 1951. The haggis-bearer was William Reaney and the Address to the Haggis was given by John Hardie. (Image: Newsquest)

A group of young dancers gave a show-stopping performance in front of a packed theatre. Pupils from Helensburgh’s Claire Burns School of Dance provided a knock out toe-tapping routine from the popular Broadway jazz musical Fosse. The 15-minute slot involved 14 girls, aged between eight and 23, at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow when they took part in the Go Dance! celebration for the second time. (Image: Newsquest)