OUR latest look back at the Helensburgh headlines of yesteryear features Olympic joy for a Helensburgh sailior, the opening of a brand new facility for older people in Garelochhead, success for an equestrian vaulter, a charity fashion show and much more.
All of them first featured in the Advertiser on Thursday, August 21, 2008 - which faces do you recognise in the pictures below?
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A HELENSBURGH hairdresser raised more than £1,500 for charity by holding a hair and fashion show. The fundraising event was hosted by A Cut Above, on Colquhoun Street, at the Rosslea Hotel in Rhu.
More than 170 people attended, including former Dumbarton and Celtic player Murdo McLeod, and some even had to be turned away due to capacity. All the funds raised were donated to the Yorkhill Children’s Foundation.
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Helensburgh sailing hero Stephen Park coached himself into the Olympic record books.
The former Burgh resident and member of Helensburgh Sailing Club made history as RYA Olympic Manager of the British Olympic Sailing Team.
Known affectionately as Sparky, Stephen helped the Brits collect five sailing medals, including three golds, at the Games in Beijing.
Sparky grew up in the Burgh and would sail with his brother Ian in an old dinghy bought by his dad Douglas. The duo soon showed their class, competing all over the UK as part of the Scottish Youth Sailing squad.
Of Helensburgh Sailing Club, Stephen said: "It is one of the best places in the UK to go sailing."
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A NEW haven for older people opened its doors to the public for the first time — a year after it started.
Called The Oasis, the facility, still very much alive and well in 2023, operates within the purpose built Garelochhead Medical Centre, in McAuley Place, and caters for around 30 users from Rhu round the Peninsula, Arrochar and Luss areas.
The CrossReach day care service is a Church of Scotland facility and the open day was aimed at increasing community awareness of the service and what it provides.
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A COUPLE’S three-month caravan holiday around Eastern Europe turned into an unexpected award-winning venture.
Andy and May Clark, from Shandon, embarked on the grand motoring tour, taking the Caravan Club’s motto — ‘Without challenge, there is no achievement’ — to heart and won the organisation’s European Explorer of the Year title.
They travelled through eight countries including France, Italy and Croatia to the Czech Republic and Germany — where they met up with son Stuart who lives and works there. They covered 4,753 miles, and spent 75 nights in 12 campsites over a period of 11 weeks.
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A TEENAGER who took part in her first world championship event returned with a rosette after her team finished in the top ten.
Hermitage Academy pupil Joscelin Craig combined her love of horses and gymnastics and became a member of the Wee County Vaulters.
The 16-year-old, from Cardross, featured in the club's six-member vaulting team, which participated in the World Equestrian and European Junior Equestrian Vaulting Championships at Brno in the Czech Republic.
Although they didn't win any awards, Joscelin said the team was still delighted at its performance - "as we thought we were going to come last".
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A FUNDRAISING event in Rosneath Caravan Park was hailed a huge success after generous locals dug deep to help feed starving children around the world. Residents flocked to the event, despite the pouring rain, and were rewarded with face painting, a name-the-dog stall, tombola and raffle.
Susan Dempster, who organised the event to raise funds for Mary’s Meals — a charity which helps provide meals and education to young people in the world’s poorest communities — said: “It was a fantastic event. I’m so grateful for the support."
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