Helensburgh Advertiser archives: Our favourite pictures from 2008

The stories and pictures below were all published in the Advertiser on June 5, 2008 - who do you remember from the images and articles we first featured 15 years ago?

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Staff at Raeburn Hope solicitors in Sinclair Street were in training to take part in the Moon Walk charity event - a 26-mile night-time marathon around the street s of Edinburgh to raise money for, and highlight awareness of, vital breast cancer causes in Scotland.

The 10 Burgh participants were Alastair Hope, Lesley Mearns, Di Richardson, Nicola Edgar, Anne Dick, Irene Henderson, Alex Hope, Shona Helstrip, Catherine Carpenter and Alison Bonnar.

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Residents flocked to Succoth Playing Fields for Arrochar’s family fun day.

Fabulous weather ensured a fantastic turnout for the annual event, organised by the Arrochar and Tarbet Community Council.

Entertainment included music from Alistair (Sheegan) Campbell, a mouthwatering barbecue, a spud and spoon race, gladiator jousting and a fling the welly competition.

There was also a bouncy castle and a scavenger trail for younger children.

Organiser Finola Owen said: “it was a great day and the weather really made it. This has been going for more than 30 years and it’s evolved into a really great community day.

"It’s a great excuse for a big get-together with plenty of infectious fun.”

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A talented Helensburgh schoolgirl was hoping to follow in the footsteps of Enid Blyton after winning first place in a story competition.

Hermitage Primary pupil Daisy Harris, aged seven, beat hundreds of budding writers from across Scotland to the top spot with a tale about a day in the life of a baby dragon.

Daisy said: “I was really bouncy and happy when I found out I’d won. I love writing because you can write about anything really.

"My favourite book is 101 Dalmatians but I also like Enid Blyton, Heather Dyer and Lauren Child.”

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Popular Burgh bowler George Sneddon could be forgiven for expecting a telegram from the Queen after playing in his landmark 100th match for Dunbartonshire county.

George, a member of Helensburgh Bowling Club, who represented his country on numerous occasions, reached the milestone playing for the Andrew Hamilton team against Glasgow at Colgrain Bowling Club

George won his first Helensburgh club championship in 1963 - just six years after joining the club - and was awarded his first cap in 1967.

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A historic rail link reached a benchmark at Helensburgh Central station as a ceremony was held to mark the 150th anniversary of the railway between Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Glasgow.

To mark the occasion, an original station bench was unveiled at the station’s booking office waiting area.

First ScotRail installed the refurbished bench, which was loaned by Helensburgh Heritage Trust and unveiled by their director John Johnston.

Plans for a rail link to Helensburgh were first mooted in 1845, and the new route finally opened in May 1858 for freight, and a month later for passengers.

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Generous Rosneath residents staged their annual plant and cake sale in aid of a worthy cause.

The Rosneath Peninsula branch of Cancer Research UK Scotland held the event to raise cash for the charity. A number of stalls sold goods including plants, flowers, shrubs and home baking.

The sale was held at Rosneath Castle Park, where it has taken place annually for a number of years.

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And finally...

PLANS for a new community centre to be attached to Helensburgh’s Victoria Halls were left in disarray after the scheme was refused and the design branded “inappropriate”.

The project, consisting of a three-level modern building of timber and metal cladding, did not fit in with the historic B-listed Halls, according to members of the Helensburgh and Lomond area committee at their meeting on Tuesday.

Members voted 6-2 to accept a recommendation from planning officers to refuse the application by Helensburgh Community Centre Trust — although councillors felt that an extension would be suitable, but not of this design.

The decision has disappointed the Trust.

Nigel Millar, chairman of Helensburgh Community Council, and also a member of the trust, said that the group will meet tomorrow (Friday) to consider their response.

He said: “We are very disappointed and don’t agree with the committee’s decision — or the planning official saying that the building is inappropriate.

“We feel it is a fine modern building and in its own way sets off the splendour of the Victoria Halls. Put the two together and you have a fine complex.”