When showcase kicked off Commonwealth Games countdown

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, September 4, 2013.

Do you remember these stories or spot any familiar faces?

1. After more than three weeks of constant walking and cycling two Neilston men completed their walk to France from the village — raising almost £15,000 in the process. Cousins Jimmy Higgins and John McGuire were able to visit the World War One battlefield where their grandfather fought and survived.

2. John Wilson retired from his post as East Renfrewshire Council’s director of education - after 11 years at the helm of Scotland’s most successful education department. Father Tom Boyle presented John with a Paisley Diocesan Medal and certificate signed by Diocesan Administrator, Father David Boyd, to mark his services to education in general, and to Catholic education in East Renfrewshire in particular.

3. Further pictures of Barrhead's annual Safety in the Park Day were printed in 2013's September 4 edition. The event was attended by pupils from all over East Renfrewshire who learned about everything from road safety to safety online and in situations involving drugs, drink and tobacco.

4. The area's first sport and dance showcase, organised by East Renfrewshire Council’s sports services team, took place with dozens of Barrhead youngsters making the journey to take in the new state-of-the-art sports complex in Eastwood. The showcase celebrated the fact the Glasgow Commonwealth Games were just one year away, and it got the countdown to the 2014 spectacular started in style.

5. Neilston Community Windfarm welcomed members of the public as part of a national campaign. 

6. Neilston maintained their good start as they moved to the top of the Central league First Division with a 3-0 home win against St Anthony’s at Brig O’Lea.