New heritage exhibition just dropped... new mag dropping soon!
Interview with Govanhill’s Apartheid Free Zone group, the fossil found in The Hidden Gardens, Stories from Langside Rd, style Icon, the history of the queer coded language, Polari plus more!
Hello,
Last Friday, my desk at the Newsroom was looking slightly chaotic – stacks of paper marked with corrections scattered across the table and a line-up of drinks: a coffee for energy, a can of diet Irn Bru for lunch, and, of course, a glass of the finest tap water to stay hydrated.
It’s all part of the organised chaos of filing a magazine – and filed it we did! It’s now off to the printers and will slowly be making its way to local spaces next week – keep your eyes peeled for Issue 18: All Things Digital.
The following day was much more mellow – the opening of our exhibition at Tramway: Stories from our Streets!
The collaborative work features photography and video projects exploring the living heritage of our neighbourhood. It also includes an interactive map inviting visitors to share their own stories.
But at its heart is One Day in Govanhill, a photographic project from the Greater Govanhill Photography Group. The idea was simple: capture a single, ordinary day from start to finish.
Available to view until late summer at the upstairs Community Canvas space in Tramway, 25 Albert Drive. Open Wednesday–Sunday, 11am–5pm.
More on that below, as well as the latest from our website and around the neighbourhood.
Kind regards,
Samar
Latest from our website…
Our new exhibition opens at Tramway: Stories from our Streets
Stories from our Streets exhibition opens at Greater Govanhill’s Community Space at Tramway. The heritage exhibition features videos and an interactive map but at its heart is the photographic project capturing the diversity of the neighbourhood, One Day in Govanhill.
Think Before You Buy: Building an Apartheid Free Zone in Govanhill
In Govanhill, a grassroots campaign is taking bold steps to boycott brands complicit in Israel’s occupation of Palestine; starting with Coca-Cola. Born from local activism and backed by the global BDS movement, the Govanhill Apartheid Free Zone is rallying businesses and residents to turn everyday choices into acts of solidarity.
Behind closed doors: confronting coercion and control in multigenerational homes
Hundreds of Muslim and BME women in Scotland are reporting abuse not from partners, but from in-laws and extended family, yet the law doesn’t recognise it. Amina MWRC is fighting to change that, shedding light on a hidden form of coercive control and pushing for a more inclusive, intersectional approach to domestic abuse policy.
Unearthing History: Fossil found at The Hidden Gardens
When looking for hidden historical details in our built environment, we're often told to look up in Glasgow, but a new discovery at the Hidden Gardens suggests it might be worth looking down instead.
Isolophilia: Embracing the beauty of solitude
Govanhill based artist Gabriel Davidson (26) held his first show of paintings in Glasgow. The exhibition called ‘Isophilia’ explored the hidden joys of being alone. In this article Gabriel writes about the inspiration behind his first solo exhibition.
Stories from Our Streets: Langside Road
In Stories from our Streets: Langside Road, local historian Bruce Downie traces the street’s fascinating history — from its origins and the impact of wartime bombings to its architectural landmarks and the architects that built them.
My Life Before Govanhill: Tom van den Hurk
From a multicultural tenement in Germany’s Ruhr Valley to the vibrant streets of Govanhill, historian and filmmaker Tom van den Hurk reflects on a life shaped by migration, identity, and the power of storytelling in our regular feature, My Life Before Govanhill, from Issue 17: Hidden Lives.
Style Icon: Eva Harrold
Eva Harrold turns heads across the Southside in handmade outfits that challenge fast fashion. Through Slow Stitch Studio and her work with Rags to Riches, she’s stitching style, sustainability and community together — one thread at a time. Find out more in this edition of Style Icon from Issue 17: Hidden Lives.
Bona Parle!
Discover how Polari became a vital tool for the LGBTQ+ community to communicate safely during times of severe repression. This fascinating language, with its blend of cultural and multilingual influences, remains a symbol of queer resilience and resistance.
Record Collections: Sound, soul and stories
We spoke to two Radio Buena Vida residents for Issue 17: Hidden Lives about their vinyl collections, uncovering stories of rare finds, well-loved grooves and the deeper connections that make records more than just music.
Volunteer Spotlight: David Baumann
From competitive swimmer to community archivist, David Baumann has spent a lifetime at Govanhill Baths. In this Volunteer Spotlight, he shares memories of the Zenith Swimming Club and his ongoing work with the Baths' Archive and Heritage project.
The latest from the neighbourhood…
Govanhill Baths to work alongside residents to plant 780 trees in Govanhill
Govanhill Baths Community Trust’s Creative Canopy Project will plant 780 fruit and nut trees across backcourts, schools, and gardens in Glasgow. Over the next three years, these everyday spaces will become a dispersed orchard, co-designed and cared for by local residents.
The Sound of Collective Action this weekend
A night of music, movement and solidarity at Stereo, Glasgow, in aid of Refuweegee and Radio Buena Vida.
Migrant Women Press to Celebrate Voices in Independent Journalism
This Saturday, on World Press Freedom Day, Migrant Women Press will host an evening celebrating the power of migrant women and women of colour in independent journalism at the Community Newsroom. The event will also see the launch of a special print edition featuring stories from their 16 Days of Activism campaign, a panel on intersectional reporting, and a new crowdfunding drive for the upcoming Migrant Women Press Fellowship.
Join our WhatsApp Community 📱
Join Greater Govanhill’s new WhatsApp community for the latest neighbourhood news, updates from us, and early access to article briefs if you’re a writer. Stay informed without the endless scrolling – it’s a space to read, not chat. Scan the QR code or click here to join.