The music and podcast app Spotify launched, the Messenger spacecraft made its second pass of the planet Mercury and the Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology was awarded jointly to Harald zur Hausen (who identified the cause of cervical cancer) and Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, Luc Montagnier (discovery of HIV).

All that happened in the first week of October 2008 – but what was going on closer to home in Helensburgh?

Here, we’ve picked out some of our favourite photos from 15 years ago this week, courtesy of the Advertiser’s archives. Whose names and faces do you recognise?

Helensburgh Advertiser: Giants roamed the streets of Helensburgh as the work of popular artist Phil Burns from Inverkip and his daughter Karly, who graduated from Glasgow School of Art was showcased in a free exhibition by Carol Foubister at the Pink Gallery in Sinclair Street. A well-known figure in the Scottish art world, Phil is also the illustrator of top selling children’s fantasy book the adventures of Jack the little Giant and the Clock tower, written by local author Brian Cairnduff.Giants roamed the streets of Helensburgh as the work of popular artist Phil Burns from Inverkip and his daughter Karly, who graduated from Glasgow School of Art was showcased in a free exhibition by Carol Foubister at the Pink Gallery in Sinclair Street. A well-known figure in the Scottish art world, Phil is also the illustrator of top selling children’s fantasy book the adventures of Jack the little Giant and the Clock tower, written by local author Brian Cairnduff. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: Top police officers visited Loch Lomond to see firsthand about the valuable work carried out by the volunteer rescue crew. Strathclyde Police Chief Constable Steve House and Strathclyde Joint Police Board Convener Councillor Paul Rooney were taken out in the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat by the crew to see exactly what the vessel is capable of. A donation of £2,000 was presented in appreciation of their excellent work undertaken on the treacherous waters.Top police officers visited Loch Lomond to see firsthand about the valuable work carried out by the volunteer rescue crew. Strathclyde Police Chief Constable Steve House and Strathclyde Joint Police Board Convener Councillor Paul Rooney were taken out in the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat by the crew to see exactly what the vessel is capable of. A donation of £2,000 was presented in appreciation of their excellent work undertaken on the treacherous waters. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: It was a case of headlines and deadlines when a party from 4th Helensburgh Beavers visited the Helensburgh Advertiser office. The youngsters, accompanied by leaders, were met by editor David Carnduff and photographer Petra Boyce who showed the enthusiastic group the “route” a picture takes from camera to publication in the paper.It was a case of headlines and deadlines when a party from 4th Helensburgh Beavers visited the Helensburgh Advertiser office. The youngsters, accompanied by leaders, were met by editor David Carnduff and photographer Petra Boyce who showed the enthusiastic group the “route” a picture takes from camera to publication in the paper. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: A group of 13 adults and eight children gathered at Clynder beach on a Sunday morning for an annual clean-up held as part of the Marine Conservation Society’s Beach Watch project. The event was organised by Helen and Alun Ap-Rhisiart and they summoned aid just by placing a large sign at the side of the road. The call for help did the trick — and the willing squad got down to work on what turned out to be a rather nice autumn day.A group of 13 adults and eight children gathered at Clynder beach on a Sunday morning for an annual clean-up held as part of the Marine Conservation Society’s Beach Watch project. The event was organised by Helen and Alun Ap-Rhisiart and they summoned aid just by placing a large sign at the side of the road. The call for help did the trick — and the willing squad got down to work on what turned out to be a rather nice autumn day. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: A monthly farmers’ market attracted a steady crowd of shoppers and brought a little carnival atmosphere to Colquhoun Square. And for one Helensburgh woman there was a bonus. Joy Bell was the lucky winner of a farmers’ market hamper competition and was presented with a lovely eco-friendly farmers’ market shopping bag packed with a wide assortment of goodies.A monthly farmers’ market attracted a steady crowd of shoppers and brought a little carnival atmosphere to Colquhoun Square. And for one Helensburgh woman there was a bonus. Joy Bell was the lucky winner of a farmers’ market hamper competition and was presented with a lovely eco-friendly farmers’ market shopping bag packed with a wide assortment of goodies. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: The trenchers were out and the mead was flowing at Cove Burgh Hall. The occasion was a medieval banquet enjoyed a fabulous nine-course meal and medieval music and entertainment raising £400. Organiser Naomi Lidwell, who was no newcomer to the medieval banquet, having arranged a number in the past, did most of the catering for the nine courses herself with some help from friends. Entertainment came largely from the village and from her son Simon, a medieval craftsman who made replica items.The trenchers were out and the mead was flowing at Cove Burgh Hall. The occasion was a medieval banquet enjoyed a fabulous nine-course meal and medieval music and entertainment raising £400. Organiser Naomi Lidwell, who was no newcomer to the medieval banquet, having arranged a number in the past, did most of the catering for the nine courses herself with some help from friends. Entertainment came largely from the village and from her son Simon, a medieval craftsman who made replica items. (Image: Newsquest)