When a youngster led a parade of elephants through Braehead

We delved into the Barrhead News archives to pick out some of the stories from over a decade ago.

Here are some photographs from our edition which was published on Wednesday, February 19, 2014.

Do you remember these stories or spot any familiar faces?

1. Barrhead youngster Olivia Martin led a parade of elephants through one of Scotland’s biggest shopping centres. Visitors to intu Braehead were amazed to see the herd of 28 multi-coloured elephant statues dotted around the centre. And Olivia was at the head of the parade after being chosen from hundreds of other youngsters for the privilege.

2. Tesco and Barrhead’s fire brigade teamed up to encourage residents to get a free home fire safety visit. Posters and leaflets were dotted around the Kelburn Street store for residents to fill out to receive a free visit from firefighters, with the added bonus of being entered into the chance to win a luxury hamper courtesy of Tesco bosses. 

3. Families flocked to Barrhead Health and Care Centre to enjoy getting hands on with an interactive science event. The ‘Body Works on Tour’ exhibit about the human body kept locals engaged with a variety of free exhibits. 

4. War memorial designs for Neilston were entering their final stages as residents were invited to an open night. Crofthead Bowling Club was set to throw open its doors to show the village the Neilston War Memorial Association’s grand plans to erect a fitting tribute to the village’s war dead. Councillor Paul O'Kane was pictured at the proposed memorial site.

5. Two missionaries from the USA came to Barrhead, taking time out their studies back home to volunteer with local churches. Elder Jens Griffin hailed from the small town of Mapleton in Utah and was following in the missionary footsteps of his father and two older brothers. His brothers served Peru and in London respectively, while his Dad served in Fresno, USA. Elder Matthew Ward, meanwhile, was from the town of Willard in Utah, USA and his family also had a history of missionary service with two older brothers having served in Chicago and Canada, and a younger sister in Kentucky.

6. Pupils in S2 at St Luke’s High School Barrhead joined forces with Police Scotland campus officer PC Gordon Sweeney, to explore, understand and promote vital issues across the school community. The ten-week programme, developed within the school focused on crime, how it is dealt with and its impact upon ordinary people. On a visit to Paisley Sheriff Court the group watched real life court room drama under supervision of court staff.