Families in Helensburgh and Lomond have been waving their children back through the school gates after the summer holidays and life is starting to return back to the normal routine for others.

Over the last six weeks Helensburgh and Lomond have welcomed visitors and tourists from all over the country and Europe. We have also celebrated the achievements of the athletes who competed in the Paris Olympics 2024 and even enjoyed the brief sunny spells.

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

Eilidh Talman, a former pupil of Cardross School and Hermitage Academy, graduated from the University of Northumbria with a first class honours degree in performing arts. Eilidh, who lives in Gateshead, England, previously graduated with an M.A. (hons) in 2006 from Glasgow University. her ambition is to act and she is using drama in her work, having been appointed as church youth worker.Eilidh Talman, a former pupil of Cardross School and Hermitage Academy, graduated from the University of Northumbria with a first class honours degree in performing arts. Eilidh, who lives in Gateshead, England, previously graduated with an M.A. (hons) in 2006 from Glasgow University. Her ambition is to act and she is using drama in her work, having been appointed as church youth worker. (Image: Newsquest)

Cardross collected its Calor Village of the Year Award at a presentation in the village. A joint entry put together by members of the community council, the Tenants and Residents Association and the school won the village the top award in the communications section of the annual awards. And a cheque for £500 was handed over by Graeme Thomson, regional sales representative for Calor Gas Ltd presented the certificate and cheque to Tony Davey, chairman of the community council, Cathy Derris of the TRA and school pupils Jessica Stevenson and Calum Kerr. Mr Thomson congratulated the village on their success and told them that rural communities are important to Calor who have been supporting the community of the year awards since 1996.Cardross collected its Calor Village of the Year Award at a presentation in the village. A joint entry put together by members of the community council, the Tenants and Residents Association and the school won the village the top award in the communications section of the annual awards. And a cheque for £500 was handed over by Graeme Thomson, regional sales representative for Calor Gas Ltd  who presented the certificate and cheque to Tony Davey, chairman of the community council, Cathy Derris of the TRA and school pupils Jessica Stevenson and Calum Kerr. Mr Thomson congratulated the village on their success and told them that rural communities are important to Calor who have been supporting the community of the year awards since 1996. (Image: Newsquest)

A full length “rom-com” set in Glasgow was filmed with a script written by a Rhu couple. James McCreadie and Debbie May wrote the screenplay for Fast Romance which follows the interweaving stories of seven very different people who decide that, in their pursuit of love, it is time to try something new. Little do they know that after one night of speed dating their lives will take dramatic new twists. This roller-coaster ride will leave you in no doubt that just three minutes with a complete stranger can change your life forever. James met director Carter Ferguson when he was writing scripts for River City and Carter was playing PC Harry Black in the TV soap and when he was looking for a screenplay for an idea he had for a movie he thought of James and Debbie who has also written for River City..A full length “rom-com” set in Glasgow was filmed with a script written by a Rhu couple. James McCreadie and Debbie May wrote the screenplay for Fast Romance which follows the interweaving stories of seven very different people who decide that, in their pursuit of love, it is time to try something new. Little do they know that after one night of speed dating their lives will take dramatic new twists. This roller-coaster ride will leave you in no doubt that just three minutes with a complete stranger can change your life forever. James met director Carter Ferguson when he was writing scripts for River City and Carter was playing PC Harry Black in the TV soap and when he was looking for a screenplay for an idea he had for a movie he thought of James and Debbie. (Image: Newsquest)

Two Ministry of Defence police officers swapped their handcuffs for harmonies by joining forces to create a new band. Vocalist and bass player John Hughes, and Jack Aitken who takes on lead vocals and guitar, have more than half a century’s playing experience between them, but decided to join forces at the request of friends who wanted to see the talented two perform at a party.Two Ministry of Defence police officers swapped their handcuffs for harmonies by joining forces to create a new band. Vocalist and bass player John Hughes, and Jack Aitken who takes on lead vocals and guitar, have more than half a century’s playing experience between them, but decided to join forces at the request of friends who wanted to see the talented two perform at a party. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh hopefuls had a chance to showcase their talents as auditions were under way for the return of the popular Helensburgh’s Got Talent. The auditions for the third ‘Helensburgh’s Got Talent’ show at the Victoria Halls ran for three consecutive nights in St Margaret’s Church in Churchill. Organised by the Argyll and Bute Choose Life initiative — who raise awareness of issues surrounding suicide and encourage youngsters to talk about it — and by Backchat, the event has gone from strength to strength each year.Local hopefuls had a chance to showcase their talents as auditions were under way for the return of the popular Helensburgh’s Got Talent. The auditions for the third ‘Helensburgh’s Got Talent’ show at the Victoria Halls ran for three consecutive nights in St Margaret’s Church in Churchill. Organised by the Argyll and Bute Choose Life initiative — who raise awareness of issues surrounding suicide and encourage youngsters to talk about it — and by Backchat, the event has gone from strength to strength each year. (Image: Newsquest)