Greenock Tele archives: Campaign saved IRH tea bar

In April 2008, the Tele uncovered how NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde was planning to evict the charity and its volunteers from the IRH and replace it with a Starbucks-style coffee shop.

The news left people boiling mad and the Tele launched a major push to save the facility, which had at that point raised over £1 million for vital health services since 1973.

Our petition reached almost 20,000 signatures in a matter of weeks, which forced decision makers to lift the threat of closure.

In a u-turn the health board gave the green light to the IRH tea bar continuing to be run by the League of Hospital Friends — complete with new healthy options on the menu — and they even commended the campaign for saving it.

Meanwhile, Inverclyde history hunters made their way to a Greenock church for an antiques extravaganza.

Antiques expert and TV star Anita Manning popped into Finnart St Paul’s for an extra special antiques roadshow in aid of the Rotary Club of Greenock.

Anita, who starred in TV shows including Antiques Roadtrip, Flog It and Bargain Hunt, chatted to members of the public who brought in their antiques to be valued on the day — and was delighted with the quality of items and the number of interesting stories on offer.

Elsewhere, a big splash was guaranteed in Gourock as its heated outdoor pool opened for the summer season with entertainment for swimmers and spectators of all ages.

And it was hoped more people than ever would visit the pool in its 101st year.

In other news, youngsters enjoyed a fun biology lesson with a difference at Sacred Heart Primary in Greenock.

Children learned all about the body as part of the school’s health week through a series of wacky workshops.

Pupils from P4 to P7 took part in sessions about oral health, the heart, emotions and a ‘body-building’ class with staff from Edinburgh’s Science Festival’s schools touring programme, Generation Science.

In sport, Morton were gearing up for a crucial clash with Ayr United which would decide their First Division fate in a fight for safety.

They were three points ahead of Ayr and just one clear of ninth-placed Airdrie, who were taking on Dunfermline.

James Grady’s side could secure First Division survival, go into the dreaded play-offs or face relegation depending on the results.

But there were few who knew more about the tension involved in final-day dramas as the Ton chief.

Grady had scored in the 96th minute for Gretna against Ross County on the last day of the 2006-07 season to take the Borders side into the Premier League for the first time in their history.

He said at the time: “You have to be ready to go that extra yard in games like these.

“It doesn’t matter if it takes until the 96th minute. It’s in our own hands.”

In the end the clash saw Ayr United relegated from the first division, with Morton fighting back to secure survival thanks to a 2-1 win at Cappielow.

Morton’s hopes took a blow after a first half goal from Daniel McKay put the visitors ahead, but strikes from Stewart Greacen and Carlo Monti delivered the crucial three points.