WE are already nearing the end of September and we are still experiencing the odd day of warm weather. Maybe 2024 was the year of the late summer.

As October draws closer, the Halloween decorations begin to appear on the shelves and everyone has autumn on their minds.

This week we have reported on the controversial Flamingo Land plans in Loch Lomond being rejected, copies of the Advertiser travelling internationally and an appeal for a lost cat found in a skip in Rhu.

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

A Helensburgh medic mingled with the stars when she picked up a gong in London. Heather Carrick was nominated by colleague Annie Hair, head of children’s services for West Dunbartonshire Community Health Partnership, to win the category of Best Nurse. The ceremony, organised by WellChild, saw Heather, who runs a team of carers for children with complex needs and life limiting conditions in the area, received the honour after beating off competition from a record number of entries. Heather held the post of Sister at the Vale of Leven Hospital’s former Special Care Baby Unit for many years.A Helensburgh medic mingled with the stars when she picked up a gong in London. Heather Carrick was nominated by colleague Annie Hair, head of children’s services for West Dunbartonshire Community Health Partnership, to win the category of Best Nurse. The ceremony, organised by WellChild, saw Heather, who ran a team of carers for children with complex needs and life limiting conditions in the area, received the honour after beating off competition from a record number of entries. Heather held the post of Sister at the Vale of Leven Hospital’s former Special Care Baby Unit for many years. (Image: Newsquest)

Four Burgh superstars landed plum roles in a performance in a Glasgow theatre. They battled against hundreds of other hopefuls to win coveted roles in the popular stage show ‘West Side Story’. The fab four - Samuel Gorman, Josh Rettie, Fiona Sheilds and Linda Boyd - were hard at work rehearsing for the production at the Kings Theatre. Samuel, 23, has a degree in musical theatre which he studied at Lincoln University and has performed in a number of shows previously, including the much-loved High School Musical On Tour. But this is 19-year-old business law student Fiona’s first musical, and she said she is loving every moment of rehearsals as a Shark.Four Burgh superstars landed plum roles in a performance in a Glasgow theatre. They battled against hundreds of other hopefuls to win coveted roles in the popular stage show ‘West Side Story’. The fab four - Samuel Gorman, Josh Rettie, Fiona Sheilds and Linda Boyd - were hard at work rehearsing for the production at the Kings Theatre. Samuel, 23, had a degree in musical theatre which he studied at Lincoln University and had performed in a number of shows previously, including the much-loved High School Musical On Tour. But this was 19-year-old business law student Fiona’s first musical, and she said she was loving every moment of rehearsals as a Shark. (Image: Newsquest)

A Burgh piper had become one of only a dozen musicians to be shortlisted for a national prize. The Young Traditional Musician of the Year awards have been drawn up, with musicians from all over the nation being nominated, including Helensburgh’s own Kyle Warren. Organised by BBC Radio Scotland, the awards will provide the winner with a platform from which to launch their career. Entrants had to submit a biography and a demo, from which the lucky 12 were selected. Semi-finalists will have their moment to shine in October at a special weekend being hosted for them, and Kyle admitted the competition would be tough.A Burgh piper became one of only a dozen musicians to be shortlisted for a national prize. The Young Traditional Musician of the Year awards had been drawn up, with musicians from all over the nation being nominated, including Helensburgh’s own Kyle Warren. Organised by BBC Radio Scotland, the awards provide the winner with a platform from which to launch their career. Entrants had to submit a biography and a demo, from which the lucky 12 were selected. Semi-finalists had their moment to shine at a special weekend hosted for them, and Kyle admitted the competition would be tough. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh girl guides from past and present celebrated 100 years of the association with campfire songs and activities. Rainbows, brownies and guides from the Western Division enjoyed an action-packed party at Victoria Hall. Nearly 300 attended the event, taking part in craft activities, cake decorating and parachute games. A DVD to explain the importance of the centenary was played to launch the afternoon’s festivities.Helensburgh girl guides from past and present celebrated 100 years of the association with campfire songs and activities. Rainbows, brownies and guides from the Western Division enjoyed an action-packed party at Victoria Hall. Nearly 300 attended the event, taking part in craft activities, cake decorating and parachute games. A DVD to explain the importance of the centenary was played to launch the afternoon’s festivities. (Image: Newsquest)

The sexy way to get fit arrived in Helensburgh, with the launch of Independent Pole Fitness classes. Run by Julie Stewart, the company is approved by the Pole Dance Community and provides a fitness — not performance — based way of getting into shape. Founded back in November 2006, Julie’s business has gone from strength to strength, and after featuring in the Advertiser, the sessions in the Burgh were almost fully booked. The sexy way to get fit arrived in Helensburgh, with the launch of Independent Pole Fitness classes. Run by Julie Stewart, the company was approved by the Pole Dance Community and provided a fitness — not performance — based way of getting into shape. Founded back in November 2006, Julie’s business had gone from strength to strength, and after featuring in the Advertiser, the sessions in the Burgh were almost fully booked. (Image: Newsquest)