History was made as a local heritage group celebrated its 25th anniversary

Inverclyde Historical Society (IHS) welcomed Provost Martin Brennan as their special guest for the milestone event in the Tontine Hotel, noting that the former history teacher was present for the club's 21st birthday also.

The Provost told assembled guests at the celebration lunch at Royal Gourock Yacht Club that he was told not to study history as a young man and warned it was a 'thing of the past with no future'.

He pointed out how wrong that advice had been as he illustrated how the subject remains by far and away the most popular non-fiction choice in libraries the length and breadth of the UK.

Councillor Brennan paid homage to the patchwork of social, cultural, sporting and political communities within the district whose memberships often overlap with expertise shared.

Co-founder of the historical society, Anne Williams, said: "A good example is the fact that IHS is affiliated to The John Galt Society and the Scottish Local History Forum, thus we do Inverclyde proud and have been doing so for 25 years.

"The Provost concluded his gracious speech by wishing us well for the forthcoming decades but unfortunately he would not be able to attend our 50th anniversary — he will be busy that day!"

Society president Ford Hendry thanked the Provost for adding a sense of occasion to the event, despite his very busy schedule.

He reminded those present that IHS had been formed by a group of history enthusiasts who had attended a series of lectures at James Watt College under the auspices of the University of Glasgow outreach programme where Anne Williams was a tutor.

When these classes ended such was the interest in history that IHS was founded by her and a loyal group, with many of them enjoying the anniversary party.

Mr Hendry drew attention to the fact that the society has been able to present a diverse variety of topics at local, national and international level by eminent academic and historical authors, again with some of them joining in the celebration.

This was in tandem with a range of subjects researched and presented by the society's own members.

He thanked all for their attendance, the yacht club catering staff and proposed a toast to Inverclyde Historical Society and its future.

Founding member Anne gave the vote of thanks and took the opportunity to acknowledge the loyal support shown to her over the decades and said it was wonderful to have reached 25 years when so many other worthwhile groups have folded.