Helensburgh Advertiser archive photos from November 20, 2008

But what was happening closer to home as autumn began to turn to winter 2008? Here we take a look at the local news - and the people who were making it - as it was reported in the pages of the Advertiser on November 20, 2008...

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There were frantic scenes in Helensburgh after a burst water main caused a two-day drought in the town. Scottish Water mounted a huge operation to bring in lorry-loads of bottled supplies and 60 static tanks after the burst near Hermitage Academy – while there were reports of squabbles among residents desperate to get their hands on supplies brought to the pier car park on the first night without mains water. One pregnant woman claimed she had been ‘trampled’ by a crowd who did nothing to help her and that she spent most of the next day in hospital – while there were concerns that residents in Kirkmichael had been left ‘high and dry’ without any supplies. (Image: Newsquest)* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Helensburgh widow Jean de Krivatsy presented a £700 cheque, collected in lieu of flowers at her husband Lehel’s recent funeral, to Captain Nick Davies, representative of Seafarers UK (Scotland), formerly known as the King George’s Fund for Sailors, at a lunch in HMS Neptune’s wardroom at HM Naval Base Clyde. (Image: Newsquest)* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Advertiser caught up with members of Mums For Mums, a support group in Helensburgh set up for mums who experienced perinatal depression or anxiety. The group had been set up almost four years earlier by community child minder Maureen McMaster – and though Maureen had moved to Australia by the time we met the group, Sarah Roberts, Nicky Bridges, Zoe Weir and Helen all shared their experiences of how the symptoms affected them and about their hopes that they might be able to help other new mums in the area. (Image: Newsquest)* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Senior citizens in the Garelochhead area enjoyed a day of fun, fitness and frolics at the Gibson Hall in the village, including a chocolate fountain, sparkling wine, yoga, hand massages, meditations, games and a buffet lunch. The day was rounded off by a Marlene Dietrich style cabaret performed by Lois Newton, who was more usually to be found in the kitchen serving up lunches to members of the Gareloch and District Seniors Forum. (Image: Newsquest)* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A special appeal was launched in Helensburgh to help soldiers on the frontline — by sending them Christmas gift-filled shoeboxes. The SOS (Support Our Soldiers) Christmas parcel appeal was organised by submariner’s wife Louise Cairns with the support of June McMurdo, of the Ashton Bar, whose Marine son, James, was serving in the country. Louise told us: “We are the only charity which has been given the go-ahead from the Ministry of Defence to send a limited number of 300 shoeboxes from Helensburgh although there is an overall limit of 12,000.” (Image: Newsquest)* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Pupils from two local primary schools were well and truly in the pink. The youngsters from Rhu and Rosneath were allowed to abandon school uniforms in favour of pink outfits to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Day. They also raised money in various ways for the Breast Cancer Campaign. (Image: Newsquest)