The month of May is nearly over and we are finally arriving into the summer season. It is the time for fayres, outdoor events and hopefully sunshine.

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

In the May 21, 2009 edition of the paper, we reported people in Helensburgh welcoming uninvited guests to their haunt night, a dad gearing to take part in a mammoth challenge for the charity that is helping his dad and a young Royal Navy trainee named top of the class.

Helensburgh Advertiser: The annual Village Fun Day took place in the Ball Park at Succoth. The day was hosted by Arrochar and Tarbet Community Council and funded by West Loch Long Social Club. Having faltered at the first hurdle due to weather, the decision to change the day of the event to the Sunday instead of the Saturday paid off — the sun shone, and children, parents and visitors all turned out in plenty. Races were run, burgers were eaten, bouncy castles, tug-of-war and Sumo wrestling attractions were all packed with children laughing, screaming and fulfilling the main aim of the day, a community get together to have fun.The annual Village Fun Day took place in the Ball Park at Succoth. The day was hosted by Arrochar and Tarbet Community Council and funded by West Loch Long Social Club. Having faltered at the first hurdle due to weather, the decision to change the day of the event to the Sunday instead of the Saturday paid off — the sun shone, and children, parents and visitors all turned out in plenty. Races were run, burgers were eaten, bouncy castles, tug-of-war and Sumo wrestling attractions were all packed with children laughing, screaming and fulfilling the main aim of the day, a community get together to have fun. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: The staff and diners at the Ben Lomond Restaurant in Tarbet took part in a “spirited” event and one or two uninvited guests turned up! The restaurant, in an old church, was the focus of a study by the Spirit Voices Paranormal Group who claimed to have found on a previous visit that the building had a number of spirit residents. They decided to return and carry out a proper study with paranormal investigation equipment.The staff and diners at the Ben Lomond Restaurant in Tarbet took part in a “spirited” event and one or two uninvited guests turned up! The restaurant, in an old church, was the focus of a study by the Spirit Voices Paranormal Group who claimed to have found on a previous visit that the building had a number of spirit residents. They decided to return and carry out a proper study with paranormal investigation equipment. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: More than 40 children and their parents and carers helped the Gruffalo blow out the candles on his 10th Birthday cake at Helensburgh Library. The free party was held by local children’s charity Fun First to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the popular children’s book. The celebration was a roaring success with everyone singing and laughing as they joined in a Gruffalo themed Bookstart Rhymetime with songs, stories, poems and puppets.More than 40 children and their parents and carers helped the Gruffalo blow out the candles on his 10th Birthday cake at Helensburgh Library. The free party was held by local children’s charity Fun First to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the popular children’s book. The celebration was a roaring success with everyone singing and laughing as they joined in a Gruffalo themed Bookstart Rhymetime with songs, stories, poems and puppets. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: A 20-year-old from Cove was the top recruit as the class of Royal Navy trainees completed their nine weeks initial training at HMS Raleigh in Cornwall. Trainee Warfare Specialist Stephen Scott, who joined HMS Raleigh in February, was presented with the Owen Cup at the passing out parade as the recruit who achieved the best overall marks during training. Stephen, who was given the responsibility of deputy class leader during training, also took the top academic prize and achieved the fastest time in the 2.4 kilometre run.A 20-year-old from Cove was the top recruit as the class of Royal Navy trainees completed their nine weeks initial training at HMS Raleigh in Cornwall. Trainee Warfare Specialist Stephen Scott, who joined HMS Raleigh in February, was presented with the Owen Cup at the passing out parade as the recruit who achieved the best overall marks during training. Stephen, who was given the responsibility of deputy class leader during training, also took the top academic prize and achieved the fastest time in the 2.4 kilometre run. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: A Helensburgh man planned to take part in a cycle ride from London to Geneva to raise funds for the Marie Curie Cancer Charity. Paul Tyson, 23, whose father Mark ran the Royal Bar in Helensburgh, has managed to raise nearly £3,000 but around half of that will go to pay for his 988-kilo- metre journey and he would like to raise a whole lot more for the charity. Paul, who is a personal fitness trainer working at Bannatyne’s in Edinburgh, has chosen to take part in the marathon cycle as a way of saying thank you for the care his father has received since being diagnosed with cancer.A Helensburgh man planned to take part in a cycle ride from London to Geneva to raise funds for the Marie Curie Cancer Charity. Paul Tyson, 23, whose father Mark ran the Royal Bar in Helensburgh, has managed to raise nearly £3,000 but around half of that will go to pay for his 988-kilo- metre journey and he would like to raise a whole lot more for the charity. Paul, who is a personal fitness trainer working at Bannatyne’s in Edinburgh, has chosen to take part in the marathon cycle as a way of saying thank you for the care his father has received since being diagnosed with cancer. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: A FASLANE-based naval officer will fly out to Kenya to take part in an intensive two-week mission with the Way Christian Ministry. CPO Robert Bruce will fly to Nairobi with the Rev Peter Stanway of the Way CM, a Scottish charity based at Kilcreggan House on the Rosneath Peninsula. During the mission trip Peter and Robert will visit Way missions in Kenya and Uganda, assessing the success of various projects including a feeding project in Kenya undertaken in conjunction with another Scottish charity, Mary’s Meals.A FASLANE-based naval officer will fly out to Kenya to take part in an intensive two-week mission with the Way Christian Ministry. CPO Robert Bruce will fly to Nairobi with the Rev Peter Stanway of the Way CM, a Scottish charity based at Kilcreggan House on the Rosneath Peninsula. During the mission trip Peter and Robert will visit Way missions in Kenya and Uganda, assessing the success of various projects including a feeding project in Kenya undertaken in conjunction with another Scottish charity, Mary’s Meals. (Image: Newsquest)