Helensburgh archives takes a look back on events in 2009

From markets, festivals and charity days, the community has been buzzing with activity.

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

In the July 9, 2009 edition of the paper, we celebrated people's awards and achievements in Helensburgh, reported on a teenager saving a manufacturing firm £400,000 per year, and youngsters looking after the environment with their most recent beach clean.

The people in charge of protecting Britain’s most cherished landscapes visited Loch Lomond. Delegates from outstanding areas of natural beauty such as the Brecon Beacons, Cairngorms, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Lake District and the New Forest were taken for a sail on the loch. They also attended a reception at The Carrick, the renowned golf and leisure complex south of Luss. John McFall MP welcomed the delegates, chief executives and chairmen from all 14 UK national park authorities, to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park ahead of their AGM. (Image: Newsquest)

As part of Helensburgh and Lomond Junior Warden Scheme, the children from Kilcreggan and Rosneath wardens carried out a beach clean at Silver Bay Kilcreggan. The youngsters collected around 50kgs of plastic and other non-biodegradable material off the beach, several vehicle wheels and tyres and traffic cones. The purpose of the scheme is to promote citizenship in young people with the aim of helping to tackle nuisance and anti-social behaviour. (Image: Newsquest)

Two communities are celebrated after scooping prizes in the ‘Village of the Year’ competition. Arrochar and Tarbet were crowned the Central region winner of the Scottish Calor Village of the Year Competition 2009 and awarded a plaque and £2,000 for community investment. A separate accolade for combined business efforts was also awarded, along with another £500 towards a community development project. (Image: Newsquest)

Rosneath Peninsula Highland Gathering celebrated its 30th anniversary — and the event shaped up to be one the best held in the area for some time. The Gathering is run by a dedicated band of volunteers at the Howie Memorial Park in Rosneath. Gathering chairman Robert MacIntyre said: “The fact that the Gathering continues to be such a great success after 30 years says a lot for the very real community spirit that exists on the Peninsula. And it is not just local support that we can rely upon as the Rosneath Gathering has an international reputation with competitors and visitors coming to it from all over the world.” (Image: Newsquest)

It was a double celebration as a couple graduated together on the same day — from the same university. Jenifer Watson, 22, and Jamie Furness, 21, were both former pupils of Hermitage Academy, and had been together for six years. Both had been awarded with an honours degree from Stirling University; Jenifer gaining a BA Hons in Psychology and Sports Studies, and Jamie taking a BSc in Software Engineering. Former Cardross primary pupil Jenifer carried out voluntary work in Stirling, where the couple lived together, with Open Door, to help individuals with mental health issues and with the Arion Club, coaching swimming to adult’s with disabilities, and preparing some for the Special Olympics. (Image: Newsquest)

A 19-year-old Helensburgh gap year student saved Dumbarton firm Aggreko £400,000 a year. Alistair Morison saved his placement company, Aggreko manufacturing, a global leader in rental solutions for power and temperature control systems based in Dumbarton, up to £400,000 per year by making their power generator assembly line more efficient. And the innovation won Alistair a place on the British final for The Year in Industry’s Contribution to the Business Awards. The breakthrough came when Alistair spent his gap year working at Aggreko under the Year in Industry scheme. He has beaten seven students to become the Scottish winner in the awards which showcase students’ exceptional achievement. (Image: Newsquest)