Greenock Telegraph Retro: water supply woes at the Oak Mall

It was more than 24 hours before all homes and businesses got their supplies back.

Hairdressers were forced to buy bottled spring water to finish their clients’ hairdos and cafes and pubs were left struggling to cope with food and cleaning demands.

Gerry McDade, a partner in Stewart’s hairdressers in Grey Place said at the time: “This is a real hassle.

"This never happens on a Monday.

"Saturday is one of our busiest days.

“Thankfully our clients have been more than accepting of it.

"This happened a couple of years ago as well.

"We are getting through it but it is a hassle.”

The Oak Mall was severely hit, with many businesses relying on what was left in their water tanks.

Elsewhere, a determined youngster had decided his mum wasn’t the only one who could do a charity challenge.

Seven-year-old Max Johnstone had signed up for a fundraising effort of his own after Alice said she was going on a gruelling cycle trek.

Max, who used to suffer from Still’s Disease, a type of rheumatoid arthritis, was set to do a sponsored ten-mile trek around London.

He would donate the money to Whizz-Kidz, a charity that provides customised wheelchairs, tricycles and other mobility equipment for youngsters with disabilities.

Max, who was a pupil at Ardgowan Primary School in Greenock, would be one of 2,000 children taking part in the sponsored walk.

His mum was going to Egypt to do the ‘Women for Women — Cycle the Nile’ event.

The cycle aimed to help her collect cash to improve the health of women and babies around the world through the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Trust. 

Meanwhile, a Lynedoch Court resident told how she dreaded going out of her high rise flat in case she couldn't manage to get back.

Joyce Anderson said she never knew if she would be forced to climb the 14 flights of stairs to her home due to the lift at her block frequently breaking down. 

She could only manage a couple of flights at a time before she needed to sit down and, on one occasion, it had taken her an hour to get from the ground floor to her flat.

Joyce said there were many elderly and frail residents in the block and she claimed some of them were housebound when the lift is out of action.

In other news, a popular family doctor from Gourock was celebrating his retirement after 36 years’ service.

Dr David Russell was delighted to be joining his wife, Maureen, in retirement.

Dr Russell had worked at Gourock Health Centre since it opened in 1981 and was at the Cardwell Road medical practice before that.

His colleagues and patients threw a party for him to say thank you for his years of hard work.

They had a collection and presented him with a watch and golf club and a painting of the 18th hole at Gourock Golf Course that was commissioned for him by the partners at the health centre.

In sport, Morton had eked out a crucial Cappielow win over Arbroath with a solitary Peter Weatherson goal the difference between the two sides. 

The former Queen of the South striker's goal continued his love affair with the fixture that season which had seen him score eight times in five meetings with Arbroath.