Can you believe we are now in August? It is less than three weeks until schools in Helensburgh and Lomond go back so time to make the most of the summer holidays.

The local community have been out in full force putting on events for families and visitors alike including markets, football matches and tasty barbecues. 

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

A Helensburgh woman whose horse took a tumble is taking time out to thank all of the good samaritans who helped her out. Gillian Prosser, who was out riding with her niece, was on her 21-year-old horse Joey, going through Duchess Wood. Her niece was riding Gillian’s daughter’s horse, Jester, who is an impressive 24 years old. But while crossing a stream in the wood, Jester slipped and struggled to clamber onto the other side of the embankment.A Helensburgh woman whose horse took a tumble is taking time out to thank all of the good samaritans who helped her out. Gillian Prosser, who was out riding with her niece, was on her 21-year-old horse Joey, going through Duchess Wood. Her niece was riding Gillian’s daughter’s horse, Jester, who is an impressive 24 years old. But while crossing a stream in the wood, Jester slipped and struggled to clamber onto the other side of the embankment. (Image: Newsquest)

Crowds braved the Helensburgh drizzle to welcome the newest addition to the seafront. After undergoing weeks of refurbishment, the former Woolworths store in Clyde Street was officially opened as Wilkies womenswear. Wilkies, a family run business which has been established for 111 years, held a glitzy event the night before the official opening, to which local businesses were invited. Champagne and canapés were offered to the customers, who were among the first to see the new fashion stores brands, including stock from names such as Jacques Vert and Planet.Crowds braved the Helensburgh drizzle to welcome the newest addition to the seafront. After undergoing weeks of refurbishment, the former Woolworths store in Clyde Street was officially opened as Wilkies womenswear. Wilkies, a family run business which has been established for 111 years, held a glitzy event the night before the official opening, to which local businesses were invited. Champagne and canapés were offered to the customers, who were among the first to see the new fashion store's brands, including stock from names such as Jacques Vert and Planet. (Image: Newsquest)

A celebration has been held for a woman who devoted the last eight and a half years of her life to a Helensburgh charity. Eleanor Logan, 53, has worked for the Helensburgh and Lomond Carers Project for almost it’s entire run - with the exception of the first six months of its setup. Eleanor is leaving the charity as she embarks on a new adventure - marriage! Sir Willie Rae from the Helensburgh and Lomond Carers Centre turned up to congratulate Eleanor’s work by giving her a presentation.A celebration has been held for a woman who devoted the last eight and a half years of her life to a Helensburgh charity. Eleanor Logan, 53, has worked for the Helensburgh and Lomond Carers Project for almost it’s entire run - with the exception of the first six months of its setup. Eleanor is leaving the charity as she embarks on a new adventure - marriage! Sir Willie Rae from the Helensburgh and Lomond Carers Centre turned up to congratulate Eleanor’s work by giving her a presentation. (Image: Newsquest)

A new Scottish movie released features the work of two Helensburgh and Lomond people. Mission X, a “no budget” movie by director David Baker was already in profit even before its release. It features the work of Rosneath photographer Robert Bell and Helensburgh man Paul Hunter who started off as a cameraman and ended up playing one of the main characters. Film complete, David is now self-distributing the movie and has been cultivating a mailing list for screenings, DVDS and digital downloads from all over the world via the web. The movie is already in profit from orders before it has even been released! A new Scottish movie released features the work of two Helensburgh and Lomond people. Mission X, a “no budget” movie by director David Baker was already in profit even before its release. It features the work of Rosneath photographer Robert Bell and Helensburgh man Paul Hunter who started off as a cameraman and ended up playing one of the main characters. Film complete, David is now self-distributing the movie and has been cultivating a mailing list for screenings, DVDS and digital downloads from all over the world via the web. The movie is already in profit from orders before it has even been released! (Image: Newsquest)

A photographer who cut his teeth at the Advertiser is the only Scottish photographer to have made it into the first round final of the 2009 Kodak awards. Stuart Wood began his career in 1990 as a YTS trainee photographer with the paper. Stuart’s stunning wedding photographs of Lee-Ann and Kieran Beaton feature as two of the five images in the first final of the Kodak Award.A photographer who cut his teeth at the Advertiser is the only Scottish photographer to have made it into the first round final of the 2009 Kodak awards. Stuart Wood began his career in 1990 as a YTS trainee photographer with the paper. Stuart’s stunning wedding photographs of Lee-Ann and Kieran Beaton feature as two of the five images in the first final of the Kodak Award. (Image: Newsquest)

Sightings of mysterious big cats in the British Isles used to be the stuff of myths and online chat rooms – the kind of thing which the average person on the street treated with a liberal pinch of salt. However, with sightings in the UK stretching back almost one-hundred years, and a growing number of one to-one encounters with the creatures being reported every year, it could be time to open our minds to the possibility of big cats on the loose. And the latest sighting of one of the animals adds credence to the legends, as it not only happened on HM Naval Base Clyde’s doorstep – near Churchill Estate in Helensburgh – but was spotted by a highly credible source, Ministry of Defence Police dog-handler PC Chris Swallow. Chris, who stays in Helensburgh but is originally from Huddersfield, was helping a friend with their garden when he spotted the creature.Sightings of mysterious big cats in the British Isles used to be the stuff of myths and online chat rooms – the kind of thing which the average person on the street treated with a liberal pinch of salt. However, with sightings in the UK stretching back almost one-hundred years, and a growing number of one to-one encounters with the creatures being reported every year, it could be time to open our minds to the possibility of big cats on the loose. And the latest sighting of one of the animals adds credence to the legends, as it not only happened on HM Naval Base Clyde’s doorstep – near Churchill Estate in Helensburgh – but was spotted by a highly credible source, Ministry of Defence Police dog-handler PC Chris Swallow. Chris, who stays in Helensburgh but is originally from Huddersfield, was helping a friend with their garden when he spotted the creature. (Image: Newsquest)