In its first edition 130 years ago on August 15, 1891, the Clydebank and Renfrew Press ran a joke competition.

“Which o’ a’ the miniters ye’ve seen here did ye like best?” inquired an East Neuk beadle. “Weel,” replied Dauvit, “maister Johnston was a decent body, and keepit a guid dram, and Dr Kirkandrew waans’ a bad kind o’ man in his way, but I think I liked Maister Shawlands the best, for ye see his auld clacs fitted me sae weel!”

The first winner of the half a crown week prize was “J. H. M., Clydebank”.

First adverts

A majority of advertisements on the front page of the then broadsheet Clydebank Press were for alcohol.

The Ferry Head Bar, in Yoker, run by Samuel McKie, boasted it was “cyclists favourite house of call” amongst their whisky, ales, stouts, cigars and tobacco on offer.

Read more: Clydebank Post at 130: Attempted murder by a town rivetter

Old Kilpatrick’s The Glen Lussett Bar, run by C S Gall, had a “rare old whisky” and their beer and stout on draught was “always in good condition”.

The largest ad on page 1 was headed “reasons why you should drink” the “Barns of the Clyde” old Scotch whisky.

It claimed the reasons included its “absolute purity” and having a “peculiarly pleasant flavour”, but also being a “beverage and a medicine”. Alexander Nicol, grocer and wine merchant in Lyle Place, Yoker, offered the drink to “those who wish a wholesome and invigorating beverage”.

We also carried ads for “gent’s grasshopper shoes”, on offer from S F Scott Wholesale and Retail Shoe Warehouse in Bridge Street, Glasgow.

Watt of the Emporium, at the Cross Buildings in Clydebank, offered a special discount to readers with a life insurance policy for £10 if they bought their drapery, ready-made clothing and tailor-made suits there.

James Henry, family bread and biscuit baker in Gladstone Place, Yoker, and Somerville Place, Clydebank, offered services for “soiree and excursion parties” as well as “bride and christening cakes to order”.

James McKie, a baker at the Old Kilpatrick Tea Rooms, offered “hot pies every Saturday”, with “hot tea and coffee on the shortest notice”. “Dishes covered.”