THIS week’s walk down memory lane takes us back 12 years – when Inverclyde linked up with communities right across the UK in a symbolic ceremony to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
A beacon was lit on Lyle Hill, with the local landmark one of thousands of places to stage such a tribute on the occasion of Her Majesty marking 60 years on the throne.
A total of 4,000 communities marked the milestone, with the beacon on Lyle Hill lit at 10.15pm.
Hundreds of miles away, and just a few minutes later, at 10.30pm, the Queen herself lit the National Beacon in central London.
A crowd of people young and old gathered to watch the local ceremony.
Meanwhile, Kilmacolm youngsters proved they had the write stuff at the launch of a book to celebrate the Olympic torch being passed through the village.
Youngsters from St Columba’s School and Kilmacolm Primary took part in a series of workshops to write a book entitled Adventures of the Olympic Flame.
Visitors were expected to flock to the area to see the torch relay passing through Kilmacolm later that week.
Elsewhere, jubilee joy was spreading across Inverclyde with local people of all ages joining in to celebrate the Queen’s diamond milestone.
Youngsters of Gourock pre-five centre, based at Moorfoot Primary School, held a special picnic where the kids wore crowns in tribute to the Queen, dressed in patriotic colours.
They decorated a tent with bunting and a collection of pictures they had made specially for the event.
All Saints Primary School in Greenock also joined in the celebrations with a royal-themed party.
The school’s language and communication unit rose to the occasion with a special jubilee barbecue, complete with red, white and blue decor.
Senior citizens had also been enjoying the big occasion and toasting Her Majesty’s remarkable reign, with many local care homes and sheltered housing complexes hosting special events.
In other news, future chefs training at James Watt College had been getting the very best fresh herbs Scotland has to offer.
As part of their course, the students had been cooking up a treat with complimentary baskets sent by Scotherbs.
The family-owned business had grown them in the countryside on the east coast and had been supplying the college during term.
In sport, former Morton midfielder David Hopkin had been appointed as the club’s joint reserve team coach, the Tele exclusively revealed.
The role would see the 41-year-old, who'd had two playing spells at Cappielow — the first of which saw him earn a £350,000 move to Chelsea — and also starred for Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Bradford City, team up with Finn Jonatan Johansson to oversee the Ton second string.
With the SFL having offered clubs the option of participating in an under-19 league or a reserve league next season, Morton had opted for the latter and were set to use the side to bridge the gap between the youth academy and the first team.
And seven-times capped Scotland internationalist Hopkin had been tasked with preparing the players for the transition to Allan Moore’s squad after he was headhunted by club development consultant Warren Hawke.
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