Issue 17 'Hidden Lives' is here! Celebrate its launch with us this Sunday...
Plus the launch of our Community WhatsApp group and all the latest local news from around the neighbourhood!
Dear Readers,
Hello – happy New Year – and thanks for joining us in it. Hidden Lives is the theme of this issue, our first of 2025, in which we illuminate some of the thousand and one things which normally go on out of sight.
Some, like our article exploring the curated records of Radio Buena Vida DJs Barry and Marianne, we marvel at and celebrate. Others are hidden harms which need to be brought from the shadows into the light. Within you’ll find reflections on a Roma living standards report, and a series of articles contributed by women with lived experience of gambling harms: they’re insightful, important, illuminating.
There’s always something beneath the surface: the swan glides; her feet thrum. On birds, Alison Brown brings us the secret lives of Queen’s Park, from squabbling moorhens to chastened herons: less graceful, but no less fascinating. Elsewhere, our reporters explore the power of the many. Devon McCole discovers how a thousand and one pairs of feet can wear away paving stones to reveal fossils hidden within; Samar Jamal reports on collective action for Palestine. We’ve got a style icon, more stories from our streets; the sunny side of solitude, and much, much more.
In the last couple of months, with diminished days and early nights, life can feel shrunken, out of sight and even hard to reach. But the light is lasting longer and the days are getting uncovered more and more, gradually. By the time you read this, spring might well be on its way.
With warmth,
James
Mag launch this Sunday, 10-12PM - all wecome!
We’re celebrating the launch of our latest issue with YOU!
Come down to the Community Newsroom this Sunday anytime between 10-12pm to pick up a fresh copy, chat with the team and our contributors, and more importantly, enjoy some complimentary hot drinks and snacks with your neighbours.
We are also enlisting some of you who are willing and able to help us distribute some of the mags around the neighbourhood - let’s get the word on the street!
RSVP by emailing Mikael at: mikael@greatergovanhill.com
Itinerary
10am meet at the Community Newsroom for hot drinks and snacks
11:30am distribute the magazine
12pm aim to be finished by midday
We hope to see you there 💛
The latest from our website…
Plant Grow Share: Don’t let it go to waste
Plant Grow Share delivers donated produce by bike to food banks and community groups, tackling food insecurity and reducing waste across Glasgow's Southside. Now they are reaping the rewards of their efforts and tenacity. Read More
Southside activities to try out in 2025
The new year brings a fresh urge to explore new activities, and the Southside has plenty to offer – from language classes at MILK to zine workshops at Glasgow Zine Library. We’ve rounded up some of our favourites – all sober, and either free or pay-what-you-can. Read More
Mhairi Hunter announced as SNP candidate in Southside Central by-election
We caught up with Mhairi Hunter after she was announced as the SNP candidate for the Southside Central ward by-election, triggered by the death of Labour’s James Scanlon. The Glasgow City Council by-election date is yet to be set. Read More
The latest around the neighbourhood…
📄 Crosshill & Govanhill Community Council’s January minute meetings online📄
The Crosshill & Govanhill Community Council's latest meeting took place on 13 January, 7-9pm at the Neighbourhood Centre. There were discussions around the pavement parking ban, cleansing, Ebike safety and more. The next meeting will take place on 10 February, 8-9pm and is open to the public. Only elected members take part in the debate and voting, you may be asked for your opinion on matters that you feel strongly about. For more info visit the Crosshill and Govanhill Community Council website.
🗯️Join our WhatsApp community🗯️
Greater Govanhill’s new Whatsapp community keeps you up to date with the latest happenings in the neighbourhood. Avoid the morning doom scroll and get the most important news in one place. If you’re worried about a drone of notifications, fear not! The group is more of a space to read than to chat. If you’re looking for a bit more interaction head over to our writer’s group to see our latest pitches and suggest stories of your own. To join the group scan the QR code 👇
📚 Langside Library to close for refurbishment 📚
Langside Library will close on 1 February, with major refurbishments expected to keep the library closed until 2026. The upgrade includes full interior and exterior restoration, the installation of an accessible main entry and an increase in the number of toilets. Library-goers can access Pollokshaws and Govanhill libraries during the refurbishment period.
📢 Submissions for Govanhill International Festival & Carnival 2025 now open 📢
Plans for the anti-racist festival that celebrates creativity and solidarity, in one of Scotland’s most diverse neighbourhoods, are well underway. The team is encouraging local groups and residents to make submissions for the week-long festival. In the past years there’s been a variety of events, including Palestine and Roma film screenings, Jewish and Irish heritage guided tours, and loads more. For more info, visit: govanhillbaths.com/gifc
🎭 Citizens Theatre announces reopening act 🎭
Small Acts of Love will be the first stage production to grace the Citizens Theatre for its reopening in September 2025. The company originally moved out of its historic home in the Gorbals in June 2018 as work began on the first major redevelopment of the Category B listed building since it began life as a working theatre in 1878. Small Acts of Love is a major new work about the bonds of friendship forged between the people of Lockerbie and the American relatives in the wake of the Pan Am 103 atrocity in December 1988.
🎉 Glasgow celebrates 850 years 🎉
Glasgow 850, a year long celebration marking the 850th birthday of our fair city, kicked off at Glasgow Cathedral on the feast day of St Mungo – 14 January. The festival encompasses a mixture of events including musical performances and a partnership with, among other eateries, GomoKimchi Deli and Poetry Library on Allison Street. Many happy returns, Glasgow. For more info visit glasgow850.com
📞 Support line for historic forced Adoption launched 📞
Health in Mind, a Scottish mental health charity, has launched a pilot support line for those affected by historic forced adoption practices between the 1950s and 1980s. These practices saw an estimated 60,000 babies unnecessarily taken from unmarried mothers, leaving a legacy of trauma. Open on Wednesdays from 1–6 pm until March 2025, the line (0774 1743 971) offers a safe space for mothers, adoptees, and families to connect with peer support. For more info, visit: health-in-mind.org.uk
🧮 We’re crunching the numbers! 🧮
Greater Govanhill is one of five projects to receive funding from Research Data Scotland’s public engagement fund. It will enable Greater Govanhill to run data journalism skills classes for local people from marginalised backgrounds. More info available soon, but if you are interested or have ideas for data stories that we should dig into, let us know here.
⛔️ Pavement parking fines come into place ⛔️
Glasgow City Council started enforcing the pavement parking ban from January 29. The change has been welcomed by many, including disability groups and those representing people with visual impairments. Fines of £100 can be issued to any driver parked on the pavement that isn’t an emergency service vehicle, waste collection vehicle, postal delivery service vehicle, or those delivering or collecting goods for up to 20 minutes. The council is still evaluating whether some streets will be exempt, including several in Govanhill. To find out which streets this includes visit the website. Residents can also apply for their street to be exempt from the rules through the Glasgow City Council website.
❗️Conservative councillor defects to Reform❗️
Glasgow Councillor Thomas Kerr has defected to the Reform party, making him Glasgow’s first and Scotland’s fifth. Kerr, who was previously a Conservative councillor, stood as a parliamentary candidate for the party in last year's general election, hoping to represent Glasgow East (which now includes Govanhill).
🪳What to do if you find bed bugs 🪳
A Freedom of Information request has shown that the number of reports of bed bugs in the area has almost doubled from 2019 to 2023 – rising from 90 to 168. This corresponds to numbers of the pests skyrocketing across Scotland in recent years. Residents experiencing bed bug issues should report the issue directly to their housing association and/or GCC. You can report a public health problem like bed bugs to GCC by phoning 0141 287 1059. To find out more about bed bugs visit the NHS website.
🧑⚖️ Legal challenge over Cathkin Park fence dismissed 🧑⚖️
The Edinburgh High Court has dismissed a second legal challenge by Gregory Brown against Glasgow City Council over the erection of a fence at Cathkin Park. Brown argued the council’s decision to permit a smaller fence, proposed by the Jimmy Johnstone Academy of Football, unlawfully restricted public access. The court upheld the council's actions but noted future challenges could arise if public access rights are compromised.
📼 Tape Letters Scotland podcast launched 📼
Tape Letters, a project which shines light on the practice of recording and sending messages on cassette tapes as a mode of communication by Pakistanis who migrated and settled in the UK between 1960-1980, have launched a podcast. This follows the exhibition of the project in Greater Govanhill’s Community Canvas space in Tramway. Working on the project is local sound artist, Steve Urquhart, who brings over 30 years of experience in audio production. He has produced a 4-part podcast series entitled: PLAY, REWIND, PAUSE and FAST FORWARD.
🇵🇸 Southside organisations among 150 to sign the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel 🇵🇸
Over 150 Scottish cultural organisations, collectives and groups have endorsed the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), including several from the Southside. Local orgs that have signed PACBI include Govanhill Baths Community Trust, Category is Books, Radio Buena Vida, Glasgow Zine Library, Gulabi, Gelatin Prints, Offline, Glasgow Art Map, among others. Find out more via the BDS website.
✍️Tenants urged to help inform Scotland's Housing Bill ✍️
Living Rent is urging tenants to complete their survey to help gather evidence about the experiences of tenants. Evidence from the survey will be presented before Parliament, in hopes that tenants' needs are considered for the Housing (Scotland) Bill, which Living Rent fear is being “watered down” by landlords. The Bill is due for its third reading and will “cover protections for tenants, preventing homelessness and other housing matters”, according to the Scottish Parliament website. View the survey here.
🎬 Glasgow Film Festival soon to get underway 🎬
The 21st Glasgow Film Festival is about to kick off, with stars from round the world, including Jessica Lang and Glasgow’s very own James McAvoy set to make appearances at in-conversation events at the Glasgow Film Theatre. Glasgow Film’s CEO Allison Gardener sat down with us to talk about all things film. She said: “I think there's magic in people's stories. I think it creates empathy and it creates an understanding, even if you don't like it, it still creates an understanding… You don't know what’s going to happen, you don't know that person's life, that person's story, that person's magic... Try to be more open.”
So, why not try something new this festival season? For a full list of what to expect, visit GFT’s website.
📲New Scots Connect map makes it easier for refugees to find help 📲
A new interactive map launched by the Scottish Refugee Council is helping refugees across Scotland connect with vital support services. The New Scots Connect map provides refugees and asylum seekers with a clear, easy-to-navigate guide to key services such as housing, health, and legal aid. This initiative aims to reduce the barriers to accessing help and ensure that people who are new to Scotland can quickly find the support they need to settle and thrive. Access it here.
New openings
Cafe Peachy
At the end of last year, MILK moved from its original home on Victoria Road to Cathcart Road. Soon after, Peachy Cafe moved in and opened its doors. Continuing the community sentiment of the previous tenants of 452 Victoria Road, bringing a friendly atmosphere and tasty grub. Open Mon–Fri from 10–4pm.
Shinwari Grill
An Afghan grill house opened its doors on 223 Allison Street, right next to Cafe NUI. Shinwari Grill serves up all the classics, from pakora to burgers and pizzas, with the usual Scottish deep-fried spin. If you fancy a light snack, why not try their fried okra? Open daily from 12–11pm.
Saltspace Gallery
The Saltspace cooperative is relocating from Anderston to a new shopfront space on Albert Road in Govanhill, next to the Glasgow Zine Library. Their first show, in February 2025, will be an exhibition by Glasgow School of Art Graduate Residency artist, Tamsin MacArthur.
Pluto Q Community Reading Room
Also on Albert Road (No 42-44), a new reading room is being opened soon– dedicated to creating and developing access to creation and publication for marginalised writers. The venue has multiple rooms which will be available for hire by individuals and community groups.
Lounge European and Asian
Sometime this month or the next, a new social spot is due to open on Allison St. The cafe may double as a shop selling other goods, but more information is yet to be revealed. The name may change before they open but, for now, the signfront advertises the Lounge European and Asian.