WE are at the end of September and we can now feel the weather turning colder and the leaves starting to fall as autumn has officially arrived.

As October is near, the Hallowe'en decorations begin to appear on the shelves and everyone has autumn on their minds.

This week we have reported on a principal teacher in Rhu saying farewell to pupils and colleagues, deli owners' plans to give back to charity as they celebrate a momentous anniversary, and a youth project in Garelochhead awarded funding.

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

Scottish dancers were out in force at a ceilidh to mark the end of Dance Scottish Week. The Oxo reel was a popular number with folk at the family event. The Helensburgh and District branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society organised the extravaganza at St Joseph’s Hall as part of the week-long national celebration. The Andrew Warren Band supplied the music for hits such as the Gay Gordons and Virginia Reel.Scottish dancers were out in force at a ceilidh to mark the end of Dance Scottish Week. The Oxo reel was a popular number with folk at the family event. The Helensburgh and District branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society organised the extravaganza at St Joseph’s Hall as part of the week-long national celebration. The Andrew Warren Band supplied the music for hits such as the Gay Gordons and Virginia Reel. (Image: Newsquest)

A new top policeman has pledged to listen and learn from the public in the fight against crime. Superintendent Kirk Kinnell, the new subdivision officer for Helensburgh and West Dunbartonshire, said the force needed to deliver on what the public wanted. “We will listen to them and go where the trouble is,” he said.A new top policeman has pledged to listen and learn from the public in the fight against crime. Superintendent Kirk Kinnell, the new subdivision officer for Helensburgh and West Dunbartonshire, said the force needed to deliver on what the public wanted. “We will listen to them and go where the trouble is,” he said. (Image: Newsquest)

A group of five singers and musicians from Transylvania brought their unique style to Helensburgh. Talentum, a Christian music group who are well known in their home country with 200 concerts and seven albums under their belts already, were given an enthusiastic welcome by parishioners at St Columba Church. Singing mainly in English, but with a few songs sung in their native Hungarian, the group’s gentle harmonies and lyrical style drew warm appreciation from the congregation.A group of five singers and musicians from Transylvania brought their unique style to Helensburgh. Talentum, a Christian music group who are well known in their home country with 200 concerts and seven albums under their belts already, were given an enthusiastic welcome by parishioners at St Columba Church. Singing mainly in English, but with a few songs sung in their native Hungarian, the group’s gentle harmonies and lyrical style drew warm appreciation from the congregation. (Image: Newsquest)

A whopping £2,000 was raised in five hours at a Macmillan coffee morning in Keil Court. For the last five years, Marleen and Andrew Frew have organised the event in the complex and have collected a total of more than £8,000 for the cancer support charity. Marleen said that each year the money raised grows, but she never thought it would reach the £2,000 mark. She thanked a number of people who she said the day couldn’t have gone ahead without.A whopping £2,000 was raised in five hours at a Macmillan coffee morning in Keil Court. For the last five years, Marleen and Andrew Frew have organised the event in the complex and have collected a total of more than £8,000 for the cancer support charity. Marleen said that each year the money raised grows, but she never thought it would reach the £2,000 mark. She thanked a number of people who she said the day couldn’t have gone ahead without. (Image: Newsquest)

n this special Helensburgh Heroes pullout, we will be looking at more than 20 greats, who blazed a trail across the world of arts, sports, literature, science, the military, showbusiness, commerce and public service.The issue featured a special Helensburgh Heroes pull out which looked at more than 20 greats with connections to Helensburgh, who blazed a trail across the world of arts, sports, literature, science, the military, showbusiness, commerce and public service. One of those people who made the list was tennis star Gordon Reid who was Britain's youngest ever national men's singles champion in 2007. We shared his story on his love for sport and how he feared he could never play again after developing a rare spinal condition. (Image: Newsquest)