THIS week's walk down memory lane takes us back to this day 11 years ago - when armed police swooped on the east end of Greenock.

The unit was called in following reports of men seen with a firearm and knives in Kilcreggan View, sparking a full search of the neighbourhood by officers.

Two men were subsequently detained.

Elsewhere, a new wave of water babies were coming into the world thanks to a birthing pool which was changing the way midwives deliver in Inverclyde.

The pool was added during a £300,000 refurbishment at Inverclyde Royal Hospital’s community midwife unit, and was a popular choice for expectant mothers hoping to give their babes the best start in life.

And the Tele brought some of the tots together to celebrate the success of the pool 18 months on.

New mum Mary Kate Rahman, who had recently given birth to her son Adam, said at the time: “I wanted as natural and painfree a delivery as possible.

“It was the most amazing experience.

"It was very calm and just what I wanted.”

A grand fundraising ball was being held to help raise cash for a vital maritime charity.

The 2011 Midsummer Ball, in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, was set to take place in a luxury marquee next to Kip Marina’s Chartroom restaurant.

Tens of thousands of pounds had been raised at previous events and organisers were hoping people would dig deep again to support the good cause.

In other news, plans a big refurbishment at Gourock High School had been met with a number of objections.

The development blueprint, which had been recommended for approval by officials, was set to go before councillors for a vote.

But a proposal to create an all-weather sports pitch at Tower Hill for the school — which was to become the new home of St Columba’s High — caused controversy.

A total of 20 objections, including a call for a public meeting to discuss matters further, had been lodged by residents.

In sport, Morton's Stuart McCaffrey was hoping to pass his A-licence coaching course — and believed he was reaping the benefits of taking charge of a few bounce games during the previous season.

The Ton captain was looking to earn his badges over the summer as he prepared for post-retirement coaching career.

McCaffrey, 32, was set to take his assessment at Largs and felt the chance to take the reins with Ton had stood him in good stead.

He said: "Last season, I was able to take charge of a few bounce games, but the manager and Mark McNally still oversaw everything.

“The manager knew I was on this coaching course and that’s why they let me take a few games last season, and it’s been a real benefit to me.

“That was really good and it helped me in my coaching as it gave me that chance to actually stand up and speak to a team before a game, at half-time and afterwards."