THIS week’s look into the Greenock Telegraph archives takes us back 18 years – when a Greenock man who feared he would drown in 40ft seas abroad was saved by a teenage lifeguard from Gourock.
Steven Duncan was visiting Majorca with his girlfriend when a snorkelling excursion nearly cost him his life.
He said if it hadn’t been for lifeguard Cameron Mitchell, who he had met just days earlier, he wouldn’t have survived.
LAST WEEK'S FLASHBACK: Rangers legend Andy Goram was set to play in Greenock game
Steven, of Burnhead Street, told the Telegraph at the time: “I wouldn’t like to think what would have happened if Cameron wasn’t there.
“I keep saying ‘thank you'. I will always be grateful and will definitely keep in touch with Cameron.
“We’re even talking about going swimming together.”
Elsewhere, Gourock pool was to stay open for an extra week even though the weather was not expected to be great.
Pool bosses had decided to extend the season as a 'thank you' to regulars.
Councillor George White, director of Inverclyde Leisure and convenor of community services, said at the time: “It has been a fantastic season and I’m delighted we are able to keep the pool open for an extra week.”
“The extension is in recognition of the support throughout the season from the pensioners’ and over-50’s.”
Meanwhile, a Greenock school board had vowed to stop the council axing a lollipop lady.
St Joseph’s Primary school board chairwoman Michelle Reddy accused education chiefs of putting their children’s lives’ at risk to save cash.
But they were facing a race against time to force the council into a u-turn before lollipop lady Betty McGuinness finished up in Wren Road and Fancy Farm.
Chairwoman of the school board, Michelle Reddy, said at the time: “We are shocked that they want to take it away.
“We will certainly be fighting this all the way and we have the parents support.
“It seems to me that these decisions are made behind closed doors, and it is just penny pinching.”
The school board had sent a letter of protest to director of education Jim Sutherland and Head of Roads Eddie McCarron.
In other news, the future of a popular flower show that had run for more than 100 years was in jeopardy.
The Port Glasgow Horticultural Society were giving serious consideration as to whether it is worth staging their annual show next year after a dip in entries.
Councillor Jim Hunter, honorary vice president of the club, said at the time: “The show was light this year, although the quality was good.
“Unless people try hard to support us there will be no flower show — we will fall by the wayside.
“All things in the district need support.”
In sport, Morton were set to make the long trip to Brechin for the second round of the Bells Challenge Cup.
The team were in the strange position of being slight favourites against a side in a higher division who are playing at home.
There was no doubt it would be a difficult game for the Cappielow club, but the quality of players in their ranks was thought to be better than that which the home side could assemble.
The Ton would come away victorious thanks to two first half goals from Chris Templeman and Derek Lilley.
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