THE historic village of Rhu has been home to many famous people over the years . . . but only one man changed its name.
‘Mr Rhu’ for decades was Colonel Kenneth Barge, DSO, MC, DL, and he had another historic title — late of the Bengal Lancers.
People
Prof marks 80th birthday with new books
A PROFESSOR of politics who is a long-time Helensburgh resident marked his 80th birthday this year with the publication of his 41st and 42nd books.
'Representing Europe: A Pragmatic Approach', published by Oxford University Press and written by Professor Richard Rose, charts how the European Union has a democratic imbalance — not enough chances for citizens to influence Brussels, but lots of chances to influence national governments whose decisions in Brussels they dislike.
Dynasty includes smugglers, playwright
A YOUNG couple emigrated to the United States from Helensburgh in the 1890s . . . and founded a dynasty which included several smugglers and is now spearheaded by a playwright.
He is Isaac Rathbone, whose World War One tragic comedy ‘Captain Ferguson’s School for Balloon Warfare’ was performed in the 2012 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Concorde pioneer began career at Rhu
ONE of the leading figures in post World War Two aircraft design, who died on May 24 2012 at the age of 89, began his aviation career in Helensburgh.
In 1943, after leaving Edinburgh University, James Hamilton joined the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment at the Rhu-based RAF Helensburgh.
Tribute to John Johnston
Iain Hope penned this tribute to his brother-in-law, Helensburgh Heritage Trust company secretary and treasurer John Johnston, who died on October 5 2012.
JOHN JOHNSTON first came to live in Helensburgh in 1945 when his parents, Jack and Muriel Johnston, chose to move their young family from the London area to his father’s ancestral town.
Lifetime of service to community
A LIFETIME of public service to the people of Helensburgh and District and beyond came to an end in April 2012 when Provost Billy Petrie, OBE, JP, DL, retired from local government.
Like his father before him the local postmaster and a shopkeeper in Rhu, he was first elected to represent the picturesque Garelochside village on the then Helensburgh District Council in 1967.
Mystery bust identified
HELENSBURGH Heritage Trust was left with a mystery after fulfilling a sixteen-year dream with the opening of its Heritage Room in Helensburgh Library in West King Street.
But, although a number of experts on local history were present at the opening reception, none could solve the mystery.