MEMORIES of more than half a century of happy days were brought back to life for visitors to the Helensburgh United Reformed Church on Saturday as the congregation’s ‘Wedding Dresses through the Ages’ exhibition proved a huge success.

Last weekend’s event featured 32 different dresses dating from the 1950s to the present day as well as photographs and information from the special occasions.

Entrance to the two-day show cost £3, and organisers say around £600 was raised for church funds, as guests were given an insight into how styles have changed through the decades. All the proceeds will be used for future charitable events planned by the congregation.

Irene Stephenson, member of the Helensburgh URC, who was part of the team who organised the event, said: “It was very busy and it was nice to see so many people come to the exhibition.

“A lot of the visitors were really quite shocked at the number of dresses, which were brought along by our members and their family and friends.

“Anyone who didn’t come with a dress brought photos instead so that was lovely. We would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who came along.”

The church will be hosting a five-day Christmas festival later this year and Irene also confirmed the success of this exhibition has encouraged the congregation to hold a similar event next year, although no decision has yet been made on what that might look like.

This weekend the church’s minister, the Rev Mitchell Bunting, will jointly lead a service for ‘Creationtide’ at nearby St Michael and All Angels Church.

Anyone looking for more information on upcoming events should visit the church’s website, www.helensburghurc.org.uk, or email church secretary Steve Alexander on sj.sm.alex@btinternet.com.