WE live in a time when it is possible for people to become so-called celebrities after a TV appearance on what are referred to as reality programmes.

In the course of a period of popularity or notoriety, often of a short-lived term, their faces are seldom out of the pages of national newspapers.

There will be exceptions, but it is reasonable to say few will leave a legacy for the common good.

This is in stark contrast to successful business people in the past who donated considerable funds for the benefit of the community in which they made their fortunes while giving employment to generations of families.

Pictured is Port Glasgow's former Broadstone Jubilee Hospital in 1962, which I have featured following a request from a reader. It was gifted by John Birkmyre of the family which owned the Gourock Ropeworks in Port Glasgow.

The business is long gone, but its main building, which is one of the most prominent on the Lower Clyde, remains thanks to having been converted into apartments years after its derelict state prompted a good number of people to call for its demolition.

John Birkmyre paid for the Broadstone Jubilee Hospital to mark his golden wedding anniversary. It would become redundant with the opening in 1979 of Inverclyde Royal Hospital. Broadstone Jubilee's was in Birkmyre Avenue, named after the Birkmyre family, and it remained derelict for a period until it was demolished and the site used to construct Broadstone Gardens sheltered accommodation.

In Port Glasgow remains a reminder of the generosity of another family which was once a major employer in the town.

In the closing decade of the 19th century, shipbuilder Joseph Russell gave �5,700, a considerable sum at the time, for the construction of Port Glasgow baths and washhouses.

Although now in private ownership, another reminder of a charitable act is Auchenbothie House on the outskirts of Kilmacolm which was donated by the Lithgow shipbuilding family to accommodate elderly Port Glasgow residents.

Aside from Port Glasgow baths, one of the few remaining buildings gifted for the good of the community and still serving its original purpose is the Gamble Institute, better known as the Gamble Halls, in Shore Street, Gourock, which was paid for by the widow of the Reverend Henry Gamble in his memory.

Buildings financed by business concerns have included Greenock's former Rankin Memorial Hospital, courtesy of Miss MD Rankin of the Rankin and Blackmore marine engineering company.

It has been said Miss Rankin gave sufficient money to construct the building but provided additional funds when advised more was needed to equip the hospital.

Inverclyde's business sector continues to support charitable concerns but, as I have said before, it is doubtful the Lower Clyde will ever again benefit from the level of generosity shown towards the community in days gone by family concerns which gave employment to thousands. of people.