We are at now reaching the end of August which means summer is nearly over and we are fast approaching the autumn season.

Over the last few days we have certainly felt the affects of the seasonal weather with flood alerts, yellow weather warnings and traffic diversions throughout the local area.

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

Having graduated with first class honours in History, Helensburgh man Jon Carter has graduated again with the Open University and with a Master of Arts in History. Currently based in Bristol, his role, which involves engineering support work for submarines based at Faslane, regularly requires him to return to the Naval Base.Having graduated with first class honours in History, Helensburgh man Jon Carter graduated again with the Open University and with a Master of Arts in History. Based in Bristol, his role, which involved engineering support work for submarines based at Faslane, regularly requires him to return to the Naval Base. (Image: Newsquest)

Scott Talman, a former pupil of Cardross Primary School and Hermitage Academy, was commissioned from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst into the Royal Logistic corps in August of last year and after further training is serving with NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction corps in Rheindalen in Germany.Scott Talman, a former pupil of Cardross Primary School and Hermitage Academy, was commissioned from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst into the Royal Logistic corps in August 2008 and after further training was serving with NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction corps in Rheindalen in Germany. (Image: Newsquest)

Arrochar and Tarbet residents showcased the best the community has to offer in a bid to be crowned the Village of the Year. Judges for Scottish Calor Village of the Year award arrived to listen to a presentation by the hopefuls, who face competition from both the Isle of Eigg in the Western Isles, and Forth, in South Lanarkshire. The three villages are battling it out for the chance to scoop £7,000 for further investment in the community, having already been awarded £2,000 for being a regional winner, and Arrochar and Tarbet also won £500 for the business category earlier in the year. The judges were treated to a whistlestop tour of the community, stopping in at a number of locations to hear contributions from residents eager to help the village on its path to success.Arrochar and Tarbet residents showcased the best the community has to offer in a bid to be crowned the Village of the Year. Judges for Scottish Calor Village of the Year award arrived to listen to a presentation by the hopefuls, who faced competition from both the Isle of Eigg in the Western Isles, and Forth, in South Lanarkshire. The three villages were battling it out for the chance to scoop £7,000 for further investment in the community, having already been awarded £2,000 for being a regional winner,. Arrochar and Tarbet also won £500 for the business category earlier in the year. The judges were treated to a whistlestop tour of the community, stopping in at a number of locations to hear contributions from residents eager to help the village on its path to success. (Image: Newsquest)

The generation gap was well and truly filled in Helensurgh’s Kirkmichael Estate. The Kirkmichael Tenants and Residents Association (KTRA) had been experiencing problems with young people vandalising and drinking in the skate park. So, along with Streetlinks, a Detached Youth Work Project who work with young people in Kirkmichael and Churchill in partnership with Dunbritton Housing Association and Argyll Community Housing Association, they provided a free graffiti day with sports activities for young people from both areas.The generation gap was well and truly filled in Helensurgh’s Kirkmichael Estate. The Kirkmichael Tenants and Residents Association (KTRA) had been experiencing problems with young people vandalising and drinking in the skate park. So, along with Streetlinks, a Detached Youth Work Project who work with young people in Kirkmichael and Churchill, in partnership with Dunbritton Housing Association and Argyll Community Housing Association, they provided a free graffiti day with sports activities for young people from both areas. (Image: Newsquest)

Although the dismal weather in the lead up to the Helensburgh and Gareloch Horticultural show affected a number of entries, it failed to rain on anyone’s high spirits. There was a high turnout to the annual event, in its 159th year, despite the miserable forecast. The days of drizzle leading up to the event, however, did cause a few worries for some, show convener Jeanette Caldwell explained. “We were a few entries down because the bad weather presumably ruined a few people’s prospects of taking part. “But, considering the awful weather the few days before, there was still a lot of people that participated - and a large number turned up on the day to see the entries and enjoy the plant sale.”Although the dismal weather in the lead up to the 2009 Helensburgh and Gareloch Horticultural show affected a number of entries, it failed to rain on anyone’s high spirits. There was a high turnout to the annual event, in its 159th year, despite the miserable forecast. The days of drizzle leading up to the event, however, did cause a few worries for some. Show convener Jeanette Caldwell explained: “We were a few entries down because the bad weather presumably ruined a few people’s prospects of taking part. But, considering the awful weather the few days before, there was still a lot of people that participated - and a large number turned up on the day to see the entries and enjoy the plant sale.” (Image: Newsquest)