📯 Issue 12... Out Now 📯
You can pick up a copy of our arts and cultures issue in community spaces and shops around the Southside. And for our paying members they should be arriving through your letterbox anyday... 📫
Dear readers,
It's a pleasure to introduce myself here. My name is Devon, and I’m a proud member of the Greater Govanhill team. I grew up in Castlemilk and lived with family in Pollokshields, so to me Govanhill has always felt like home. This summer I finally graduated from university after studying multimedia journalism for four years. Embracing my new-found freedom wasn’t the easiest transition but working alongside the journalists at Greater Govanhill (and The Ferret!) and getting involved in the community has been so inspiring, reigniting my passion after years of schooling. As the former Arts & Film Editor at an independent culture magazine, The Chritical, I’m beyond excited to share with you our first ever Arts and Culture Issue.
In this issue we explore the vibrant local arts scene in Govanhill, which is something of a hotspot for artists and creatives. This time round we want to showcase the different scenes and subcultures that breathe life into the area; bringing like-minded folks together, regardless of social or cultural differences.
You may also have noticed our Editor-in-Chief, Rhiannon J. Davies, has not appeared in this issue. That’s because she is away on a fellowship in North America, visiting community media organisations from across the pond to find out what we can do better - which means the rats are running the ship!
We hope this issue will distract from the obvious nip in the air as we move into the colder months. So, bundle yourself up, grab a warm (pumpkin spiced) latte or a toasty cinnamon bun from your local cafe, and get yourself a copy of the magazine.
But first, a sneak pick of our News in Brief section from the latest issue below.
Devon McCole Staff Journalist/Editor
[AD] Exciting New Opportunity for Kids with Opening of MagiKats Tuition Centre in Glasgow
A new MagiKats private tuition centre has opened in Glasgow South serving Govanhill, Strathbungo, Pollokshields, Langside, Polmadie and Mount Florida and offering a great opportunity to children in the area.
The new centre will be run by research scientist and mum Paulina Okoro who has experienced first-hand how MagiKats can help its students. With a PhD in science, Paulina describes herself as organized and meticulous with an analytical mind. One thing for sure is that she’s passionate about making a difference to the children in her area and helping them achieve their ambitions.
“My son attended MagiKats, and it has helped him immensely in his school work. Within a few months of enrolling at MagiKats he was excelling in all his work. Children need somewhere where they can either catch up if they are behind or somewhere that will challenge them if they are ready to excel at school. MagiKats has a unique, well-established program of teaching that works. And I know that being a part of MagiKats and will allow me to contribute to the future generation of scientists.”
The new Glasgow centre is now accepting student enrolments. You can find out more at their website or call Paulina on 0141 473 1777. For more information about the MagiKats franchise visit here or here
News in Brief Issue 12
‘Holy Grail of Scottish Football’ Found Near Victoria Road
The Hampden Collection Team has identified the present day location where the Queen’s Park Football Club met for the first time as 26 Prince Edward Street.
On 9 July 1867 a group of men met at 3 Eglinton Terrace, to form Queen’s Park Football Club, influencing the future of the sport forever. However, a change in the landscape over time meant the original location on the map could not be identified.
Research and archived material, provided by The Mitchell Library, granted the group much needed information to identify the street.
The Hampden Collection Team is now working towards recognition of this important site as part of its UNESCO World Heritage Campaign.
Crossmyloof Bridge Reopened
The footbridge at Strathbungo (near Crossmyloof train station) has been replaced with a new curved footbridge which reopened 18 August.
Replacement of the 146 year-old bridge began in March this year and was required to electrify the railway. This is part of the Scottish Government’s investment to decarbonise passenger services across Scotland’s railway.
The design was decided by residents, with 85 percent voting for a similar style to the former bridge. A need to meet the area’s conservation status and safety concerns meant there was limited opportunity to enhance access requirements but the new bridge is wider.
Govanhill Baths Funding Shortage
The Govanhill Baths Community Trust needs an additional £6.5 million to complete internal renovations for the Edwardian bathhouse. The Trust recently unveiled the outside of the building after years of renovation. The Baths, which have been closed for over 20 years, were expected to open this year but it is likely this will be delayed. A spokesperson said that additional construction costs have occurred due to Covid, Brexit, the war in Ukraine and the cost of living.
Alex Wilde, Chair of the Baths, is reaching out to stakeholders to secure additional funding. “We are at a crucial point where we need to keep on fighting for the building that this community so desperately needs and deserves after all this time,” he said. “We are asking the community, supporters, partners and funders to stand by us so that we don’t lose the momentum we have fought so hard to gain.”
The Baths also had successful a Doors Open Day. They are also keen to do something more about where we are at with the building and trying to increase people's understanding of why it is taking so long, why the costs have increased so much and the steps need before it can be open. This might take a bit more time to do though.
For updates visit the Govanhill Baths’ website
Nail Bar Book Launch
Becki Menzies, former member of the Greater Govanhill team, has contributed to a book called ‘how does it feel at the nail bar?’, published this summer. Her writing sits alongside authors Emma Aars and Kitty Brady.
Becki was inspired after writing an article for Greater Govanhill about her experience as a nail artist during the pandemic, when she was told “you’re the first person to hold my hand”. The intimacy of her job as a nail artist inspired her Instagram handle @holdmyhand.hmh.
The book was edited by Glasgow School of Art (GSA) graduate Rosie Coleman Collier and was developed as she undertook a Masters in curatorial practice at Glasgow School of Art.
Man Acquitted of Kenmure Street Protest Charges
Kairos Pakleppa, 34 has been found not guilty of threatening police officers and resisting arrest at a mass immigration protest in Glasgow. The arrest took place on 13 May 2021, when immigration officers attempted to remove two men from the area on Kenmure street during a Home Office raid.
An officer claimed that Pakleppa tried to get under a vehicle parked near an immigration van to prevent its removal.
Pakleppa pleaded not guilty to these offences as well as to resisting, obstructing or hindering police officers in the execution of their duty. He was acquitted of all charges.
M&S Submit Plans to Build New Store on Old Victoria Hospital Site
Marks & Spencer are hoping to build a new store in Battlefield where the Old Victoria once stood. The Victoria development is set to house a number of new luxury apartments once completed, with plans submitted by the store in the last week of September showing their intention to build a shop alongside these.
Glasgow City Council will come to a final decision about planning permission on October 20.
Liveable Neighbourhood Plans for Crown Street Retail Park and Strathbungo Published
Following public consultation, including in The Community Newsroom, Glasgow City Council (GCC) has published its proposed designs for improvements to certain areas in the city to create what they call ‘Liveable Neighbourhoods’. These designs aim to create neighbourhoods that are accessible and healthy places to live for everyone, and help reduce the city’s dependency on cars.
For many in Govanhill, the Crown Street Retail Park is the nearest supermarket and is passed on the most direct walking and wheeling route into town from the area. The GCC plans identify footpaths that are currently inaccessible and pavements that are too narrow in the area, and make suggestions for improvements.
Many of the same design flaws are also present in Strathbungo, including the streets that flank Victoria Road. In this area, GCC have said they will drop crossing curbs and seek to fix drainage issues.
Mind the Health Gap Podcast
Mind the Health Gap podcast, co-created with the Ferret, is now available online. The three-part podcast looks at health inequalities in Scotland and further afield as well as potential solutions to address them.
Over the past year, Greater Govanhill and The Ferret have been looking into health inequalities that affect communities in Scotland. In January this year, UK charity the Health Foundation published a report - Leave No One Behind - which revealed that the gap in Scotland was widening. Researchers said there were three main factors driving that: child and infant health, drug-related deaths and the health and wellbeing of young and middle-aged men.
This podcast aims to look at each in turn. Our reporters spoke to people from across Scotland, the rest of the UK, India, Canada and the United States to get inspiration about what works.
You can find all episodes now, just search ‘The Ferret Investigates’ wherever you get your podcasts.
Queen’s Park Working Group Seeks Local Views
Community and Council partnership Queen’s Park Working Group has secured Area Partnership funding to undertake a community consultation. The group, which is dedicated to improving the park for all residents, seeks ideas of how to develop the park and Recreational Ground. You can fill in the survey here. Paper copies of the questionnaire are available at South Seeds at the Queen’s Park end of Victoria Road.
New Openings
Ryan’s Bar — 165 Allison Street
The Old Toll bar has ventured to the Southside. The team took to social media last month to reveal that Ryan’s Bar will take over the old Neeson’s pub, located on Allison Street. The bar will offer quiz nights, traditional Irish and Scottish music, tastings, live DJ sets and cocktails. A spokesperson said: “We’re overjoyed to have opened up our new pub in Govanhill."
Rude Coffee Shop — 28 Minard Road
Another business has expanded to the Southside, with Rude Cookies opening an eatery on 4 September on Minard Road in Shawlands. The bakery is packed with its well known baked goods of various body parts as well as regular flavour-packed baked goods.
Magda Lo Bianco and Aga Taylor are best friends and co-owners, whose tongue-in-cheek messages on their treats have gone viral on TikTok and Instagram. The coffee shop is open seven days a week from 9 to 5.
Bungo Sign Company — 6 Springhill Gardens
Hana Lindsay and Rachel E Millar of Bungo Sign Company have relocated their sign-writing studio to Springhill Gardens. The studio will allow Hana and Rachel to have more space and to sell t-shirts, hats, stickers, bespoke hand-painted signs and otherwares. In doing so, it has become the first sign-painting shopfront in Scotland and the first woman-owned one in the UK.
Sur Lie — 122 Nithsdale Road
Once a restaurant called Cafe Fish, the now refurbished unit on Nithsdale Road has been replaced by a brand new cafe and wine bar called Sur Lie.
Alan Tompkins, owner of award-winning bar and restaurant, Ralph and Finn’s (located in town), opened Sur Lie on September 15. The establishment serves as a cafe by day and wine bar by night, catering to all the needs of thirsty Southsiders.
Sunny Acre — 745 Pollokshaws Road
Sunny Acre, a popular cafe in the Southside, will become a restaurant after a wave of support. Glasgow City Council greenlit the plans after receiving over 100 letters of support from the community. Despite the changes, Sunny Acre will continue serving the same community at their location in Strathbungo.
Jeju Baked Goods — 393 Victoria Road
You might have noticed a new orange shopfront on Victoria Road where Grain and Grind used to stand. Jeju is due to open this autumn and will be serving freshly baked breads. Originally based in South Ayrshire, the faces behind Jeju have made the move Southside, armed with sourdough starters and more.