But what was happening in and around the town 15 years ago this month?
In the May 28, 2009 edition of the paper, we reported people in Helensburgh celebrating all things ale at the annual Helensburgh and Lomond Real Ale Festival, an author behind one of the storylines of a famous TV soap and pupils celebrating after receiving a national award.
![Helensburgh Advertiser: It was a case of best feet forward when pupils at Rhu Primary School formed a ‘walking train’. Mums and dads joined in too — and everyone enjoyed the fresh air and exercise. These pictures by Petra Boyce show the children stepping out on their way to classes.]( "Helensburgh Advertiser: It was a case of best feet forward when pupils at Rhu Primary School formed a ‘walking train’. Mums and dads joined in too — and everyone enjoyed the fresh air and exercise. These pictures by Petra Boyce show the children stepping out on their way to classes.")
It was a case of best feet forward when pupils at Rhu Primary School formed a ‘walking train’. Mums and dads joined in too — and everyone enjoyed the fresh air and exercise. These pictures by Petra Boyce show the children stepping out on their way to classes. (Image: Newsquest)
![Helensburgh Advertiser: A specialist portraits firm launched a bid to find out more about one of the Burgh’s least known heroes. Bosses at military art specialists Cranston Fine Arts unearthed the story of World War 1 flying ace John Gilmour while compiling a new series of paintings. The company, based in Rhu, sell military artwork to enthusiasts and collectors over the internet and it was while working on their latest collection they stumbled upon the story of Major Gilmour. But little is known of the major’s life, except that he was one of the Royal Flying Corps’ most coveted air aces during the infancy of aerial combat.]( "Helensburgh Advertiser: A specialist portraits firm launched a bid to find out more about one of the Burgh’s least known heroes. Bosses at military art specialists Cranston Fine Arts unearthed the story of World War 1 flying ace John Gilmour while compiling a new series of paintings. The company, based in Rhu, sell military artwork to enthusiasts and collectors over the internet and it was while working on their latest collection they stumbled upon the story of Major Gilmour. But little is known of the major’s life, except that he was one of the Royal Flying Corps’ most coveted air aces during the infancy of aerial combat.")
A specialist portraits firm launched a bid to find out more about one of the Burgh’s least known heroes. Bosses at military art specialists Cranston Fine Arts unearthed the story of World War 1 flying ace John Gilmour while compiling a new series of paintings. The company, based in Rhu, sell military artwork to enthusiasts and collectors over the internet and it was while working on their latest collection they stumbled upon the story of Major Gilmour. But little is known of the major’s life, except that he was one of the Royal Flying Corps’ most coveted air aces during the infancy of aerial combat. (Image: Newsquest)
![Helensburgh Advertiser: Helensburgh was the focus of attention for real ale drinkers from all over the West of Scotland and beyond. The Helensburgh and Lomond Real Ale Festival, ran by the town’s Round Table, attracted hundreds of beer enthusiasts, provided some great entertainment and raised money for the town’s Parklands Additional Needs School. In its third year, the festival offered a wide range of fine beers and some special “real ciders” as well as a superb line-up of musical talent to suit all tastes over the Friday evening and Saturday.]( "Helensburgh Advertiser: Helensburgh was the focus of attention for real ale drinkers from all over the West of Scotland and beyond. The Helensburgh and Lomond Real Ale Festival, ran by the town’s Round Table, attracted hundreds of beer enthusiasts, provided some great entertainment and raised money for the town’s Parklands Additional Needs School. In its third year, the festival offered a wide range of fine beers and some special “real ciders” as well as a superb line-up of musical talent to suit all tastes over the Friday evening and Saturday.")
Helensburgh was the focus of attention for real ale drinkers from all over the West of Scotland and beyond. The Helensburgh and Lomond Real Ale Festival, ran by the town’s Round Table, attracted hundreds of beer enthusiasts, provided some great entertainment and raised money for the town’s Parklands Additional Needs School. In its third year, the festival offered a wide range of fine beers and some special “real ciders” as well as a superb line-up of musical talent to suit all tastes over the Friday evening and Saturday. (Image: Newsquest)
![Helensburgh Advertiser: Staff and pupils at a Burgh school were buzzing after they landed a coveted environmental award. Primary seven pupils at Rhu Primary embarked on a series of projects to clinch the prestigious John Muir Award. They undertook a bid to boost the environment by promoting the role bees have to play and making boosting awareness of the species. Their work scooped the award, which rewards people of all ages who have discovered and explored wild place and put something back into the environment. Pupils embarked on a project to discover wild places within the school grounds and the local churchyard, before deciding to find out more about the bees lurking there.]( "Helensburgh Advertiser: Staff and pupils at a Burgh school were buzzing after they landed a coveted environmental award. Primary seven pupils at Rhu Primary embarked on a series of projects to clinch the prestigious John Muir Award. They undertook a bid to boost the environment by promoting the role bees have to play and making boosting awareness of the species. Their work scooped the award, which rewards people of all ages who have discovered and explored wild place and put something back into the environment. Pupils embarked on a project to discover wild places within the school grounds and the local churchyard, before deciding to find out more about the bees lurking there.")
Staff and pupils at a Burgh school were buzzing after they landed a coveted environmental award. Primary seven pupils at Rhu Primary embarked on a series of projects to clinch the prestigious John Muir Award. They undertook a bid to boost the environment by promoting the role bees have to play and making boosting awareness of the species. Their work scooped the award, which rewards people of all ages who have discovered and explored wild place and put something back into the environment. Pupils embarked on a project to discover wild places within the school grounds and the local churchyard, before deciding to find out more about the bees lurking there. (Image: Newsquest)
![Helensburgh Advertiser: Anyone who followed the Eastenders story line involving Stacey Slater’s denial that she was suffering from mental illness and amazed by how real it all seemed had Helensburgh woman Suzy Johnston Syrett to thank. Suzy published her highly acclaimed second book, The Snowglobe Journals — sound bites from a mental illness, was one of the team advising the Eastenders writers on the story.]( "Helensburgh Advertiser: Anyone who followed the Eastenders story line involving Stacey Slater’s denial that she was suffering from mental illness and amazed by how real it all seemed had Helensburgh woman Suzy Johnston Syrett to thank. Suzy published her highly acclaimed second book, The Snowglobe Journals — sound bites from a mental illness, was one of the team advising the Eastenders writers on the story.")
Anyone who followed the Eastenders story line involving Stacey Slater’s denial that she was suffering from mental illness and amazed by how real it all seemed had Helensburgh woman Suzy Johnston Syrett to thank. Suzy published her highly acclaimed second book, The Snowglobe Journals — sound bites from a mental illness, was one of the team advising the Eastenders writers on the story. (Image: Newsquest)
![Helensburgh Advertiser: Garelochhead Parish Church held its annual fete. The event attracted a large crowd in fine weather and raised around £1,400 for church funds. The fete included stalls selling books, bric-a-brac, nearly new clothes, homemade cards, jewellery, soft toys and burgers. Visitors also enjoyed the tearoom with its tasty temptations and the church provided a prayer tent for visitors wanting quiet space for contemplation. Musical entertainment was provided by the Argyll Peninsula Pipe Band and youngsters could work off excess energy on a bouncy castle.]( "Helensburgh Advertiser: Garelochhead Parish Church held its annual fete. The event attracted a large crowd in fine weather and raised around £1,400 for church funds. The fete included stalls selling books, bric-a-brac, nearly new clothes, homemade cards, jewellery, soft toys and burgers. Visitors also enjoyed the tearoom with its tasty temptations and the church provided a prayer tent for visitors wanting quiet space for contemplation. Musical entertainment was provided by the Argyll Peninsula Pipe Band and youngsters could work off excess energy on a bouncy castle.")
Garelochhead Parish Church held its annual fete. The event attracted a large crowd in fine weather and raised around £1,400 for church funds. The fete included stalls selling books, bric-a-brac, nearly new clothes, homemade cards, jewellery, soft toys and burgers. Visitors also enjoyed the tearoom with its tasty temptations and the church provided a prayer tent for visitors wanting quiet space for contemplation. Musical entertainment was provided by the Argyll Peninsula Pipe Band and youngsters could work off excess energy on a bouncy castle. (Image: Newsquest)
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