OUR latest delve into the Advertiser's archives has dug up another crop of fascinating photos of life in Helensburgh as it was lived 15 years ago.
This week's selection of our favourite stories from this week in 2008 includes a 104th birthday, coverage of Learning Disability Week, the discovery of a flag missing from the town for almost 50 years, and much more.
Whose faces can you spot in the pictures - and stories - featured below?
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We caught up with the pre-school graduates at Clyde Nursery at Faslane as they prepared for the big step up to primary school.
The boys and girls enjoyed a final farewell day in the playground and used equipment, including the climbing frame, where some of them are pictured.
A total of 13 youngsters graduated from the nursery and each received certificates to acknowledge their attendance.
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Helensburgh youngster Connor McMonagle certainly hit the high notes on a visit to Braehead.
The three-year-old, from Johnstone Court, was walking through the shopping centre when he heard a jazz band playing, so he decided to pick up a saxophone and join in for the fun of it.
Braehead bosses staged the weekend of jazz music to coincide with the Glasgow International Jazz Festival.
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MEMBERS of the Helensburgh Branch of Enable held a variety of events as part of the recent Learning Disability Week.
Organisers held a coffee morning in Helensburgh’s United Reformed Church hall which raised more than £240.
At the event, a book entitled Here’s Where I Am and Here’s What I Do — written by adults about people with learning difficulties — was available.
The event attracted a steady stream of visitors and helped boost the Branch’s funds.
Members also held a swimming gala in Helensburgh Pool which was enjoyed by everyone.
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A RHU woman showed she still knew how to celebrate in style after reaching the grand old age of 104.
Amy Batchelor, from Hall Road, marked the incredible occasion with around 20 family members and friends at a party in the Rosslea Hall Hotel.
Neighbour Anne Fleming, who attended the celebration, said: “It was a lovely day. Amy is still an extremely fit lady and gets out and about when she can. She is very independent.”
Mrs Batchelor, who played golf until the age of 97, had to change her usual habit of celebrating her birthday at Cardross Golf Club due to the scheduling of the Scottish Open at the nearby Loch Lomond club - but was still more than happy to organise her own party.
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A LONG-lost flag belonging into the Helensburgh Branch of the British Legion — missing for almost 50 years — was paraded through the town before being laid in a church.
Veterans, serving soldiers, British Legion members and guests were led by Helensburgh Pipe Band as they paraded from the pier car park to the West Kirk where a very moving tribute was paid to past and present members of the three serving forces.
The flag commemorated the silver jubilee of King George V and belonged to the original Helensburgh branch before it folded in 1960. It was thought to have been lost forever until Glasgow man Daniel McCrae found it while rummaging through a stall at the Barras and made arrangements to have it returned.
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Cardross youngsters leaped into the holiday season with a host of energetic activities.
Children at Cardross Playgroup held their own indoor sports day, while at Cardross Primary, janitor Fred Hummel presented sports prizes to senior pupils who competed for points at a variety of sporting events — including football, netball and athletics — throughout the term.
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HELENSBURGH Athletics Club ladies made history by becoming the first all-female team to win the Hebridean 3 Half Marathon series.
Michelle Hetherington, Julia Henderson and Mary Louise MacQuarrie beat mixed and all-male teams to win this prestigious trophy with their best times for three half marathons from five counting towards their overall score.
Michelle led the team with cracking performances, coming in first lady and always in the top 10 at Barra, Skye and Benbecula, with Julia finishing first lady at Stornoway and second at Barra, Benbecula and Harris, and Mary Louise third at Harris and Skye and fourth at Benbecula.
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