THIS week’s look into the Greenock Telegraph archives takes us back 15 years – when the town was preparing to welcome the world-famous QE2 for one last time.
The iconic Cunard ship’s final trip ‘home’ to the Clyde was marked by a special weekend edition of the Tele.
Forty-one years after being built at the John Brown yard in Clydebank, the vessel returned to the waters she was born into on October 5, 2008.
The plan was for the ship to be transformed into a floating hotel in Dubai.
Clydeport was preparing to welcome the public dockside for the first time – allowing people to stand just 15 metres from the cruise liner.
They accepted donations of £1 on the day, which were later donated to Ardgowan Hospice.
A number of invited VIPs and Tele competition winners were due to go on board the ship during the visit.
Also preparing to board the vessel was Port Glasgow dancer Jacqueline Deeney.
The former world highland dancing champion was due to bid farewell with a final fling.
She told the Tele: “I am really looking forward to going onto the QE2.
“I am the only performer from Inverclyde, so it means so much more to me.”
Young pipers from St Columba’s School in Kilmacolm were eagerly anticipating the ‘honour’ of playing at Ocean Terminal to pay their own tribute to the QE2.
Pipe Major Iain Findlay said: “Over the years, the band has played at some very special occasions.
“This is one that will be remembered for a long time.”
Boating enthusiasts had also been planning their own farewell to the ship, with a special flotilla being organised by the Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boating Club.
Many different craft would row, sail or paddle from the clubhouse up to the QE2 and back to mark the occasion.
The emotional farewell would then come to a close with a firework display as the ship sailed out for the last time.
Elsewhere, a Gourock woman put her running shoes on to clock up the miles in aid of Ardgowan Hospice.
Leanne Bryceland, 29, took part in the Great Scottish Run as a tribute to her late gran, who passed away just weeks earlier.
She raised a total of £600 through donations from family, friends and colleagues.
Also in the news on this day in 2008, Inverclyde provost Michael McCormick paid tribute to a local charity as it celebrated its 25th birthday.
Athsmatic Caring Group was launched in 1983 by Ina Miller – whose daughter suffered from chronic asthma.
The provost hosted a civic reception and dinner at the Municipal Buildings to mark the milestone and told guests that he went to Ina’s door one night when his GP said she would provide a nebuliser for his children.
He said: “I received a very warm welcome and Ina said we could contact her at any time if we needed help.
“Ina also helped when my wife and I were planning a car journey to Torquay with our three children, all under the age of five and all suffering from asthma.
“We couldn’t have done it if Ina hadn’t provided a nebuliser that could be operated using the car’s cigarette lighter.”
In sport, John Donald scooped his fifth championship title at Whinhill Golf Club.
He saw off defending champion Paul Jones to reclaim the title.
In football, Morton assistant manager Derek Collins commended fans for their patience as thea side sat three points adrift at the bottom of the table.
He said: “The supporters can see we are trying to turn things around, they have been patient and appreciated last Saturday’s all round performance.
“We are confident we are close to turning the corner.”
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