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Mr and Mrs Bell brought to life

"This Is Your Life" used to be one of the most popular programmes on television, featuring well-known personalities.

The programme was revived in Helensburgh on Thursday August 23, but with two major differences: firstly, it took the form of a play rather than a TV programme; and secondly, the subjects of the play had been dead for many years . . .

 

Comet toasted in Sweden

HELENSBURGH was not the only place where the bicentenary of Henry Bell’s Comet was remembered on Saturday August 4 — a toast was proposed in Sweden.

As he had done 50 years earlier, retired naval architect Gerhard Schack raised a glass in tribute to the man who pioneered commercial steamships.

Last Updated ( Sunday, 14 October 2012 11:39 )

Leader of the Glasgow Boys

AN ARTIST who lived in Rhu and Helensburgh at various times was Sir James Guthrie, leader of the internationally renowned Glasgow Boys.

James Guthrie was born in Greenock in 1859, son of the Rev John Guthrie and his wife Ann. He studied law at Glasgow University but, with his father’s permission, left without a degree to pursue a career in art in 1877.

Last Updated ( Saturday, 18 May 2013 13:29 )

Steamers history features Comet

AUTHORS Iain Quinn and Alistair Deayton signed copies of their new book '200 Years of Clyde Paddle Steamers' — which started with Henry Bell's Comet — aboard the paddle steamer Waverley on Friday August 10 2012 on a trip from Glasgow to Rothesay.

Last Updated ( Sunday, 14 October 2012 11:39 )

Helensburgh's 2012 celebrations — a great day!

WEREN'T we lucky with the weather!

The weather forecasts in the days running up to the Comet Bicentenary celebrations in Helensburgh were for a strong risk of thundery showers — and the forecasts were right.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 07 May 2013 16:11 )

Henry Bell the man

WHAT is known about Henry Bell the man, rather than the steamship pioneer?

Henry was Helensburgh’s first Provost and builder and proprietor of the Baths, later Queen’s, Hotel on the east seafront, close to the original pier where the Comet berthed.

'Henry Bell' unveiled new panel!

A REINCARNATION of the early 19th century pioneer of steam navigation, Mr Henry Bell, returned to Helensburgh on Saturday August 4 2012 to assist with bicentenary celebrations of the commissioning of his revolutionary Comet, the world’s first commercially successful sea-going paddle steamer.

Before Mr Bell went on to welcome the arrival at Helensburgh pier of the world’s last sea going paddle steamer Waverley, he attended a gathering on the town’s promenade where he unveiled a new panel featuring information about the town including references to himself and his ground breaking invention.

Last Updated ( Sunday, 14 October 2012 14:44 )

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First Winter Talk

Rosneath-Ferry-InnThe first 2013-14 winter talk is on Wednesday September 25 at 7.30pm at Helensburgh Lawn Tennis Club, when Joe Brown will talk about the historic Ferry Inn at Rosneath. Non-members are most welcome.

Winter Talks 2013-14

  • Wednesday September 25 2013 — Joe Brown: The Ferry Inn, Rosneath
  • Wednesday October 30 — AGM at 7pm; David Norman: Loch Goil — noises off
  • Wednesday November 27 — Mark Nixon: The 1884 Reform Act Agitation in Helensburgh and Dunbartonshire       

  • Wednesday January 29 2014 — John Birch: The Training Ships Cumberland and Empress
  • Wednesday February 26 — James Donald: Alexander Donald of Geilston — Friend of Thomas Jefferson
  • Wednesday March 26 — Ian Evans: Helensburgh's Postal History

All meetings are in the upstairs meeting room at Helensburgh Tennis Club, Suffolk Street, at 7.30pm

Charity Number

HELENSBURGH HERITAGE TRUST
Scottish Charity
SC024603