A FASCINATING new book which documents the history of one of Inverclyde's most picturesque places has helped raise almost £2,000 for two local charities. 

Inverkip Heritage Group recently unveiled Inverkip: Its Heritage And Tales at a book launch which was attended by more than 100 people from all over Inverclyde and beyond. 

A total of 250 copies of the book have already been snapped up, generating £1,700 which will be split between Ardgowan Hospice and Inverkip Community Hub.

Greenock Telegraph:
Alex Anderson of Inverkip Heritage Group said everyone who helped put the book together has been overwhelmed by the response to it. 

Alex added: "We would like to thank everyone who has bought a copy. 

"They've helped us raise an amazing amount of money for charity and we're so pleased. 

"It's great to see the book out there for people to enjoy and we've had a lot of really good feedback about it."

It was a story printed in the Telegraph back in 2019 which gave the people of Inverkip the motivation they needed to write a book about their community. 

Alex added: "The article was about books that told the tales of Port Glasgow, Greenock and Gourock, and we realised there was a gap in the market. 

"It spurred a few of us on to form a heritage group and one of the first things we decided to do was to create a book all about our area."

Alex and a team of around eight core members of the group spoke to Eleanor Robertson of Inverclyde Heritage Group for advice, and to people from Clune Park and Gourock about how they went about creating their publications. 

Greenock Telegraph:
Meetings to discuss the book and its contents then had to be shelved due to Covid pubic health restrictions, but members diligently carried on with their research at home. 

The stories and photographs in the book were gathered from people who have lived in the village all their life, others who have relatives from the area with tales to share, and from residents who have a passion for local history. 

The timeline begins in 1188 and stretches right up to present day, and the chapters are organised in themes, including the marina, transport, famous sons and sport. 

Illustrations created by local artist Frank McColl help to bring the stories to life. 

Greenock Telegraph:
Vincent Gillen from the Watt Institution helped the group throughout the process, with the book produced through Cartsburn Publishing. 

Inverkip Community Enterprise (ICE) covered the cost of printing 300 copies using legacy funding from much-missed local man Cliff Lyons, who was a community activist. 

At the official book launch at Inverkip Community Hub, former Inverclyde provost and ex-councillor Ciano Rebecchi praised Inverkip Heritage Group for their dedication to the project. 

Graham Gardiner, chief executive of Ardgowan Hospice, said he was thrilled with the enthusiasm shown by the community in raising funds for both Ardgowan and Inverkip Community Hub.

Greenock Telegraph:
Alex described the launch as a great success.

He added: "It was a great turnout despite horrible weather.

"We've all really enjoyed preparing the book and we've been very touched by the response from everyone who has read it."