Memories: Story of man’s life-long rally dream told in hardback

We have delved into the Barrhead News and Gazette archives to pick out some stories from around a decade ago.

Here are some photographs from our editions which were published on Wednesday, January 7 and 14, 2015.

Do you remember these stories or spot any familiar faces?

1. Royal honour for ambulance chief

(Image: Newsquest) The chief executive of Scotland’s ambulance service was awarded an OBE for her services to the community. Pauline Howie, of Erskine, was recognised with an Order of the British Empire (IBE) for her services to patient care in Scotland. 

2. Story of man’s life-long rally dream told in new hardback

(Image: Newsquest) The story of a schoolboy’s dream of bringing the world famous Monte Carlo Classic Rally back to Scotland was the subject of a brand new book. Douglas Anderson, was just 10 years old when he first saw grainy Pathe newsreels of glamorous cars leaving Glasgow on their odyssey to Monte Carlo. Immediately, he fell in the love with ‘the Monte’, a 2000 mile endurance rally across the Alps to the Principality, and vowed to bring the start back to Scotland. It wasn’t until nearly 50 years later that Douglas, then in his early sixties, managed to achieve the dream people told him would never become a reality. In 2011, the centenary event returned to Glasgow for the first time since 1973, and in January 2015, around 60 classic cars were gearing up for the 2015 start from Paisley. The book, ‘Depart D’Ecosse’ follows Douglas’ successful quest to return the start, which has brought £5 million to the nation’s economy and attracted global media coverage over 4 years, to its Scottish ‘home’. 

3. Royal Mail delivers on post box promise

(Image: Newsquest) A hardworking councillor made a new Year’s resolution – to do all that he can for his constituents. On New Year’s Day – as families across Scotland celebrated the beginning of 2015 – Andy Doig was hard at work. The SNP man was contacting The Gazette to express his delight at Royal Mail’s plans to site a new post box in Lochwinnoch, one of the villages he represents. 

4. Ultimate gift will change man’s life

Russell Macmillan and Tony Forry were delighted to hand over the device (Image: Newsquest) A deaf Barrhead man was given the ultimate gift for Christmas — his hearing. The 94-year-old benefited from a £250 machine which helped him regain some of his hearing for the first time in years. The potentially life changing piece of technology was donated by Action on Hearing Loss, who in turn donated it to prominent local charity East Renfrewshire Good Causes (ERGC).

5. Queen’s honour for big-hearted Marion

Marion Cringle (Image: Newsquest) A Barrhead resident was recognised with an MBE for more than 25 years of dedication she had shown to around 290 children through fostering. Marion Cringle was named in the annual New Year honours list for her services to foster care in East Renfrewshire. 

6. Dallas delighted upon ‘Lie return

(Image: Newsquest) Chris Dallas admitted he was ‘delighted’ to return to Arthurlie following his permanent signing from League Two Albion Rovers. Barrhead Sport broke the news of Dallas’ permanent return after the striker signed on at the club for the next 18 months.