WE are in the middle of the October school holidays already and there are just over two weeks until Hallowe'en. This time of year always goes by fast so make sure you make the most of it.

The Advertiser has had a busy week full of stories which includes a fundraiser being launched by the friends of the late Helensburgh man Nick Fish, a film enthusiast who has set up a community cinema in the town and the success of the annual Cove and Kilcreggan Real Ale Festival.

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

Helensburgh was to have a grandstand view of the spectacular Queen Mary 2, pictured, when she arrived in the Clyde later in the month. The huge £500 million ship — the world’s fastest passenger liner —was to call at Greenock first. The Cunard flagship, on a special round-Britain voyage, was due to arrive at Greenock at 8am and berthed at the Ocean Terminal for 10 hours.Helensburgh was to have a grandstand view of the spectacular Queen Mary 2, pictured, when she arrived in the Clyde later in the month. The huge £500 million ship — the world’s fastest passenger liner —was to call at Greenock first. The Cunard flagship, on a special round-Britain voyage, was due to arrive at Greenock at 8am and berthed at the Ocean Terminal for 10 hours. (Image: Newsquest)

One of the biggest events on the military calendar took place at HMNB Clyde. The Joint Warrior Exercise already saw 25 Royal Marine Commandos and troops from the United States Marine Corps (USMC) put on a spectacular display when they conducted a parachute drop off Helensburgh. Jumping from the back of a Hercules aircraft, the Marines tumbled into the cold waters as part of Exercise Joint Warrior, the largest military exercise in Europe. Helensburgh locals gathered at the pier and seafront for the performance, helped by some uncharacteristic sunny weather.One of the biggest events on the military calendar took place at HMNB Clyde. The Joint Warrior Exercise saw 25 Royal Marine Commandos and troops from the United States Marine Corps (USMC) put on a spectacular display when they conducted a parachute drop off Helensburgh. Jumping from the back of a Hercules aircraft, the Marines tumbled into the cold waters as part of Exercise Joint Warrior, the largest military exercise in Europe. Helensburgh locals gathered at the pier and seafront for the performance, helped by some uncharacteristic sunny weather. (Image: Newsquest)

The centenary of Guiding in Helensburgh formed a major part of Helensburgh Heritage Trust’s second ever Memorabilia Night at Helensburgh Lawn Tennis Club. District Commissioner Linda Summers and Isobel Stirling provided a display of pictures and newspaper cuttings charting the progress of the organisation in the area. Princess Louise opened the first local guide unit at Rosneath, while the Helensburgh Guide HQ in John Street was opened in 1925 by Lady Baden Powell. The meeting, the first of the winter’s season of public meetings, was chaired by Trust chairman Stewart Noble and was well attended. The centenary of Guiding in Helensburgh formed a major part of Helensburgh Heritage Trust’s second ever Memorabilia Night at Helensburgh Lawn Tennis Club. District Commissioner Linda Summers and Isobel Stirling provided a display of pictures and newspaper cuttings charting the progress of the organisation in the area. Princess Louise opened the first local guide unit at Rosneath, while the Helensburgh Guide HQ in John Street was opened in 1925 by Lady Baden Powell. The meeting, the first of the winter’s season of public meetings, was chaired by Trust chairman Stewart Noble and was well attended. (Image: Newsquest)

The Inn at Inverbeg was named AA Pub of the Year in Scotland. The Inn received the accolade at the AA Hospitality Awards — a glamorous black-tie ceremony hosted by Natasha Kaplinsky at the London Hilton in Park Lane. The ceremony was attended by the cream of the hospitality world, including leading chefs, hoteliers and restaurateurs. The accolade was a huge achievement for the newly reopened Inn.The Inn at Inverbeg was named AA Pub of the Year in Scotland. The Inn received the accolade at the AA Hospitality Awards — a glamorous black-tie ceremony hosted by Natasha Kaplinsky at the London Hilton in Park Lane. The ceremony was attended by the cream of the hospitality world, including leading chefs, hoteliers and restaurateurs. The accolade was a huge achievement for the newly reopened Inn. (Image: Newsquest)

A gutsy base worker undertook a gruelling 54- mile trek to help a friend in need. Davy ‘Meeky’ Meekan, who worked in Coulport, was an avid walker and had climbed dozens of Munro peaks, but faced one of his toughest challenges when he decided to participate in the Caledonian Challenge. The distance was equivalent to two ascents of Ben Nevis and two marathons - in only 24 hours - but he rose to the challenge in a spectacular fashion, finishing in an astonishing 17 hours and 36 minutes - not bad for a self-confessed “wee fat bloke with a dodgy hamstring from a footy injury!”A gutsy base worker undertook a gruelling 54- mile trek to help a friend in need. Davy ‘Meeky’ Meekan, who worked in Coulport, was an avid walker and had climbed dozens of Munro peaks, but faced one of his toughest challenges when he decided to participate in the Caledonian Challenge. The distance was equivalent to two ascents of Ben Nevis and two marathons - in only 24 hours - but he rose to the challenge in spectacular fashion, finishing in an astonishing 17 hours and 36 minutes - not bad for a self-confessed “wee fat bloke with a dodgy hamstring from a footy injury!” (Image: Newsquest)