Anna Kournikova and Andy Roddick defeated Martina Navratilova and Jesse Levine in a match for charity, raising over $400,000, Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clezio, a French writer, was named the 2008 Nobel Prize in Literature and John Lennon celebrated his 68th birthday.

All that happened in the second 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: A peninsula man became the world’s most unusual world champion - at stone skimming. After six attempts, Eric Robertson beat off a record 260 international competitors and the former champion to land the world stone skimming title.A peninsula man became the world’s most unusual world champion - at stone skimming. After six attempts, Eric Robertson beat off a record 260 international competitors and the former champion to land the world stone skimming title. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: Helensburgh architecture student David Williams showcased his plans for the former sports hall at the old Hermitage Academy and was met with enthusiasm. The Burgh lad was a guest at Helensburgh Community Council’s meeting and a number of residents turned out to hear what he had to say. David drew up some plans for how he would envisage the old building being transformed into a modern sports centre.Helensburgh architecture student David Williams showcased his plans for the former sports hall at the old Hermitage Academy and was met with enthusiasm. The Burgh lad was a guest at Helensburgh Community Council’s meeting and a number of residents turned out to hear what he had to say. David drew up some plans for how he would envisage the old building being transformed into a modern sports centre. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: Wine buffs, some not-so-expert wine drinkers and malt whisky enthusiasts joined forces at Helensburgh wine fayre. The event was hosted by Helensburgh Rugby Club and a large turnout of people attended to enjoy the wine tasting session and talk organised by the staff of the town branch of Oddbins.Wine buffs, some not-so-expert wine drinkers and malt whisky enthusiasts joined forces at Helensburgh wine fayre. The event was hosted by Helensburgh Rugby Club and a large turnout of people attended to enjoy the wine tasting session and talk organised by the staff of the town branch of Oddbins. (Image: Newsquest)

 

Helensburgh Advertiser: A former member of Helensburgh rotary club on a brief visit home from New Zealand visited the Burgh club and received a £200 cheque for a charity he supports in Swaziland. Dr Eric Horne, a former town GP, moved to Swaziland where he became president of the Rotary Club of Manzini. In 1987 he and his wife Margaret moved to New Zealand where he and a colleague run a medical practice.A former member of Helensburgh rotary club on a brief visit home from New Zealand visited the Burgh club and received a £200 cheque for a charity he supports in Swaziland. Dr Eric Horne, a former town GP, moved to Swaziland where he became president of the Rotary Club of Manzini. In 1987 he and his wife Margaret moved to New Zealand where he and a colleague run a medical practice. (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: An enthusiastic bunch of Burgh folk took part in a pink walk for charity and helped staff from the Helensburgh Cancer Research shop raise some money. Organiser Caroline O’Brien said: “I would like to say a big thank you to all who took part in the Pink Walk for Cancer Research UK in Helensburgh on Sunday. We raised £100.”An enthusiastic bunch of Burgh folk took part in a pink walk for charity and helped staff from the Helensburgh Cancer Research shop raise some money. Organiser Caroline O’Brien said: “I would like to say a big thank you to all who took part in the Pink Walk for Cancer Research UK in Helensburgh on Sunday. We raised £100.” (Image: Newsquest)

Helensburgh Advertiser: This is one of the last photographs taken of Rhu Pipe Band before they folded nearly 100 years ago. The history of the band is unclear, but it is thought they disbanded around 1910 with Helensburgh Pipe Band then coming into being around that time. At the time, they may have been called Row Pipe Band, the old name for the parish of the area.This is one of the last photographs taken of Rhu Pipe Band before they folded nearly 100 years ago. The history of the band is unclear, but it is thought they disbanded around 1910 with Helensburgh Pipe Band then coming into being around that time. At the time, they may have been called Row Pipe Band, the old name for the parish of the area. (Image: Newsquest)