2008 Pages Wednesday, April 2 - front/pg5, pg7, pg9, pg19 and back page

TODAY'S flashback takes us to April 2008 when a major £3.7 million deal to save Greenock's iconic sugar sheds had been signed.

The cash to save the sugar sheds would be used to preserve the historic A-listed building which was gutted by fire in 2006.

The development was made possible after a deal was struck between Clydeport and Riverside Inverclyde.Councillor Jim Clocherty, regeneration convener, said: "The warehouse has been a landmark for 120 years and we are delighted work is starting."

In other news, talented pupils from Greenock put their environmentally -inspired artwork on display.

The fifth annual Larkfield Environmental Schools Art Project Exhibition has taken place in Ravenscraig Recreation Centre.

Pupils from Earnhill, Ravenscraig, Sacred Heart and St Gabriel's primary schools, plus Glenburn School and Garvel Deaf Centre, took part in the project.

Councillor Cianno Rebecchi said: "It is a very successful show and Larkfield Housing Association put in an incredible amount of work."

Also in 2008, furious walkers waged war in a row over an idyllic Greenock park which they claim has been ruined.

They said Lyle Park had been turned into a treacherous no-go zone by an expensive council revamp which removed a large stretch of its pathway.

Joan Gray, who used to take her dogs there, told the Tele: "I fell and broke my ankle in two places. This is the first time I have been back since that day.

"I'm terrified walking here - you cannot walk around the park now."

A council spokesperson said: "The previous path was unsafe.

"There are two entrance points to the the park and the new Tarmac path links to these and is completely safe."

In sport Gourock curlers celebrated their 150th birthday with style.

They hosted an International Bonspiel from March 13-16, and it was arguably the most popular curling competition ever played at The Waterfront Leisure Complex in Greenock.

The competition, forming part of the club's 150th anniversary year celebrations, attracted 30 rinks from near and very far, allowing the club to reciprocate the very generous hospitality which many of their own members had enjoyed in France and Switzerland.

Australian Erik Paartalu also featured and despite being a new signing was expected to play a major role in the relegation battle.

He was a surprise addition to the Morton side against Queen of the South, having only signed that morning following whirlwind meetings with the SFA.

Morton manager David Irons and assistant Derek Collins believe that Paartalu is a great capture and that his presence would boost the team.