What made the Advertiser headlines 15 years ago this week?

Do you recognise anyone in these Ayr Advertiser photos from 20 years ago?

Four of Kyle Academy’s third year pupils gave an interesting presentation based on their school trip to Paris and the WW1 trenches a few weeks earlier. The pupils addressed an audience of around 40 others at the Savoy Park Hotel and were highly commended on their performance. The presenters were Sam Stopford, Scott Currie, Jennifer Brown and Jordyn Carson.

A Prestwick slimming champ celebrated the 40th anniversary of her club by meeting stars from the soap world9. Local Slimming World manager Eileen Foley got the chance to meet the founder of the company Margaret Miles-Bramwell and River City star Tony Kearney, pictured. Eileen was one of 100 consultants who attended the event in Edinburgh.

A family in Tarbolton had a very narrow escape after their house was severely damaged by lighting. The Beechwood Road house was directly hit by a bolt of lightning which caused major cracks and destruction to the bedrooms. A fire officer said if anyone had been inside the home at the time they could have died.

Prestwick apprentices ensured ensuring the grass was always greener for care home residents in a community challenge project. The BAE Systems apprentices formally opened the new garden at Torrance Lodge nursing home that they special designed and built for the residents.

In 2009’s special Year of Homecoming, the Maybole Gala King and Queen were announced as Niall Murphy and Sam Currie of St Cuthbert’s Primary School in late April. Their coronation was set to take place on Sunday, June 21.

Prestwick Academy held a Song and Dance Spectacular entitled ‘Movie Madness’ to sell-out audiences over two nights in the school's new assembly hall in April 2009.