News from the Southside: Resistance, reflections and renewal
In conversation with our pic desk, Art Workers for Palestine's petition to CCA, creative writing on the cost of living, get involved in radical tours, mould and damp safeguards, new openings plus more
Hello, this week saw a call for a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Like so many colonised lands, the news of conflict has been both saddening and frustrating – a reminder of the lasting legacies of empire and the ongoing struggles for justice and peace. The conflict reflects decades of unresolved issues and, recently, a disregard for the violation of international law by Israel and the international community’s failure to address this. It’s also tied to India’s 2019 revocation of Article 370, the blackout that followed, and both countries’ long-standing suppression of voices in Kashmir, to name just a few things. At its root lies the legacy of British colonialism – a catalyst still shaping unrest in the region.
It was particularly heartening to see some Southside spaces respond with care. In Pollokshields, Bowling Green Together invited neighbours to share a meal and express solidarity, writing on Facebook: “None of us are the enemies of peace. We are daughters and sons of the soil, from the rivers of Punjab to the highlands of Scotland… We refuse to inherit hate.”
It’s a reminder that change begins in our communities – through conversation, care and collective action.
In this week’s newsletter: a listening party in solidarity with an Iranian rapper, a petition urging CCA to support PACBI, and neighbourhood updates including new flats, housing rules on mould, a call for action on gender-based violence and a local author’s book on grassroots organising – keep scrolling for more.
Wishing all our readers a warm weekend!
-Samar
The latest from the website…
Breathing new life into our local communities with Queens Park Neighbourhoods
Discover a community-led initiative, Queen's Park Neighbourhoods (QPN), is developing a blueprint to improve local spaces and unlock funding for the Queen's Park area. Find out about their key projects and how you can lend your voice to make these changes happen.
Arkbound: Creative writing on the cost of living crisis
Arkbound Foundation ran a series of workshops at the Community Newsroom, attended by writers from across Glasgow. Over the course of six sessions, writers respond creatively to the cost of living crisis – through poetry, short stories, and reflective prose, highlighting the power of literature to document their experiences.
Reflecting on heritage exhibition: Stories from Our Streets
Greater Govanhill’s Picture Desk team, Iain McLellan and Laura Vroomen, reflect on One Day in Govanhill — a collaborative photo project at the heart of a new exhibition exploring the neighbourhood’s living heritage, community spirit and the stories that unfolded on a single, extraordinary.
What’s happening around the neighbourhood
💬 Join our WhatsApp community 💬
Greater Govanhill’s 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
🏴 Nicola Sturgeon steps down, others step up 🏴
Following Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement earlier this year that she is stepping away from Scottish politics altogether, others from the SNP party have announced their intention to step into her shoes and stand as a candidate in the Glasgow Southside constituency. Including, current MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Kaukab Stewart, who at the time of writing has been urging SNP members or delegates to vote to endorse her as the official candidate for the Glasgow Southside – which is the constituency she now lives in following the boundary changes. Candidates in next year's election will be officially announced closer to election time, early in 2026.
🖥️ Desks currently available to rent at The Community Newsroom 🖥️
Work from home and hate Mondays? Want to spend them out of the house and around other people? We currently have three desks available to rent in our newsroom on a Monday. The cost is £60pcm and you get free tea/coffee, wifi, printing and great chat. You can also swap days with other users when desks are available. To enquire, email newsroom@greatergovanhill.com.
🗣️ Glasgow’s Post-war Housing: A People’s History call-out 🗣️
Glasgow Story Collective (GSC) has received funding to deliver a heritage project that documents the oral history of Glasgow’s post-war housing programmes, offering opportunities to former and current residents to record their memories of Glasgow’s older housing, including their experiences of living in housing schemes and high-rise flats. They offer training and work to disadvantaged and marginalised individuals and groups who want to get involved with local projects. To get involved email gscollective@outlook.com.
🚨 Labour Councillor calls for emergency summit on violence against women and girls 🚨
Southside Central Cllr Soryia Siddique has said Glasgow needs an emergency summit on violence as statistics from The Safe Glasgow Partnership show an alarming rise in violence against women and girls with a 41 percent rise in domestic violence against women, as well as reports of rape increasing by 40.6 percent and sexual assault by 28 percent in the last year alone. Soryia Siddique responded by calling upon fellow councillors, public authorities like Police Scotland, transport providers and businesses across Glasgow to work together to help create a safer environment for women and girls. She is also backing a Glasgow Women’s Safety Action Plan.
🏢More housing for the Southside as works began on 50 new affordable homes🏢
Construction on a new development, which began early last year, will introduce 50 new, energy-efficient homes to the Southside. On behalf of Southside Housing Association, AS Homes Scotland are tasked with bringing much needed social housing to the development on Pollockshaws Road, where the Arnold Clark showroom once stood. Keppie Design’s plans suggest the development will include a mix of one, two and three-bedroom flats, which are expected to be wheelchair accessible. Lower energy lighting and solar panels will be incorporated to improve energy efficiency and reduce residents’ energy bills. The project has been delayed but construction is now expected to be completed by 2026.
🦠 Mould and damp safeguards to be introduced in 2026 🦠
Awaab’s Law, named after Awaab Ishak, the two-year-old boy who passed away in 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by damp and mould in his home, will be introduced in Scotland. From as early as October this year, the steady introduction of Awaab’s Law will force social landlords to investigate complaints of dangerous damp and mould in homes within a set time period and fix issues. The introduction of Awaab’s law will come as good news to Southsiders, as the Southside Central ward was identified as having the highest number of complaints related to condensation from 2020-2024 in a report which was presented to the Housing, Transport and Regeneration Committee last year.
🏘️ Living Rent call for tourist tax to be reinvested into housing and social services 🏘️
The introduction of the Visitor Levy in Glasgow will see tourists taxed an additional 5 percent on stays in hotels, hostels, guest houses and B&Bs to raise an estimated £12.5 million annually, with £11 million allocated for events and city improvements. On April 22, Living Rent Glasgow announced they’d sent a letter signed by trade unions, local leaders and charities to Glasgow City Council demanding the money raised from the tax be reinvested into housing and ‘crumbling public services’ that benefit residents. You can read the open letter on their website.
📚 New release from a local writer! Inklings #29: How Does Change Happen? by Sam Gonçalves 📚
Filmmaker, writer and Greater Govanhill board member Sam Gonçalves, who’s been busy helping us prepare for our latest installation in our Community Canvas Space in the Tramway, has also been working away on his latest book: Inklings #29: How Does Change Happen? The book explores ‘Scenes From the Frontlines of Activism’, including real stories from activists and organisers making a meaningful difference in some of the biggest issues of the 21st century. The book is published sometime in May. Until then, pre-orders are available here.
📢 Get involved with Radical Glasgow Tours 📢
Radical Glasgow Tours, the team who create and deliver interactive walking tours exploring Glasgow’s history of activism, protest, political and social change, are looking for Glasgow residents to get involved. They are asking people to share photos, experiences, anecdotes, rumours and gossip relating to the radical histories of Glasgow. If you have any material you'd like to share you can email radicalglasgowtours@gmail.com.
🇵🇸 Art Workers for Palestine Urge Individuals and Orgs to Sign Petition Calling on CCA to Sign PACBI 🇵🇸
Last weekend, a petition was launched by Art Workers for Palestine Scotland, workers at CCA, Falastin Film Festival, and Solidarity Screenings, calling on the board of CCA to adopt a BDS policy, an anti-imperialist ethical framework, and to support the cultural boycott of Israel in line with the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). Supporters argue that such a move by CCA would represent a significant step in advancing the cultural boycott campaign and challenging the normalisation of Israel's policies and practices. The petition is available to read and sign here.
🎬 Everybody to Kenmure Street is showing at Cannes Doc 🎬
Filmmaker Felipe Bustos Sierra’s film Everybody to Kenmure Street will have a showcase at Cannes Doc: the film market held alongside the Cannes Film Festival, on Saturday 17 May. Each year, Cannes Docs showcases work-in-progress documentaries in the editing or post-production stage. While this isn’t the party they’re hoping to have once the film is finished, or the red carpet at the GFT, Felipe said: “Getting this recognition at Cannes is a great boost to help us push ahead and get the film finished.”
New openings
Qasba
A new Scottish/Algerian food spot is expected to open on 21 Alison Street. The owners have announced on social media that foodies can expect house made merguez, tagine, pizza carré, tasty sandwiches and breakfast style dishes from the Levant. At the time of writing, the team behind Qasba teased they are merely weeks away from opening. Keep an eye out!
Zennor
Coffee shop Zennor has taken over the former two eight seven space on Langside Road, which closed in November. Having relocated from Dennistoun, the team soft-launched on Saturday 19 April and are sharing more about the renovations, which includes a sit-in area. On Instagram they said: “Every waking moment has been spent building this new space – it truly has been a labour of love.”
What’s on around the neighbourhood…
Govanhill in One Day at the Tramway
Where: Our Community Canvas space upstairs at Tramway, 25 Albert Drive
Through 17 rolls of film this exhibition captures one autumn day in the neighbourhood, told through analogue photography, short films and community stories. The exhibition will run for the next couple of months, so there’s plenty of time to pop by.
More info: FREE drop-in during Tramway opening hours
Trans Makeup Afternoon
When: Sunday 18 May, 2–4:30pm
Where: Cùrlach, 537 Victoria Road
Cùrlach have offered use of the salon to LGBT Health and Wellbeing for an afternoon delivering a skillshare event on makeup. It’s a chance to get to know some products, have a chat about makeup artists to follow, or just have some fun trying something new – masc or femme!
More info: FREE but ticketed via Eventbrite, open to people of all genders or none.
South Asian Queer Book Group at Category Is Books
When: Sunday 18 May, 7–8:30pm
Where: Category Is Books, 34 Allison Street
New monthly book club focusing on the South Asian queer experience. The first read is Desi Queers: LGBTQ+ South Asians and Cultural Belonging in Britain by Churnjeet Mahn, Rohit K. Dasgupta and DJ Ritu.
More info: FREE, no booking required
Guy Davis at The Glad Cafe
When: Sunday 18 May, from 8pm
Where: The Glad Cafe, 1006a Pollokshaws Road
Two-time, back-to-back Grammy nominee Guy Davis brings his blend of roots, blues, folk, rock, rap and spoken word to The Glad Cafe.
More info: 18+ ticketed from £20 via universe.com
Esther Rose at The Glad Cafe
When: Monday 19 May, from 7pm
Where: The Glad Cafe, 1006a Pollokshaws Road
New Orleans-based artist Esther Rose brings her unique sound to Scotland.
More info: Ticketed from £15 via seetickets.com
Queer Solidarity Forever! at Category Is Books
When: Thursday 22 May, 7–8:30pm
Where: Category Is Books, 34 Allison Street, G42 8NN
Join writer Jake Hall in conversation with artist and writer Rose Ruane, discussing the book Shoulder to Shoulder: A Queer History of Solidarity, Coalition and Chaos.
More info: FREE, no booking required
'The Roma: A Travelling History' Book Launch
When: Friday 23 May, 6–8pm
Where: The Roma Cultural Centre, 43 Nithsdale Street
An evening with author Madeline Potter to celebrate the launch of her new book! The Roma is a lyrical display of travel writing, taking the reader on a personal journey through Romani history and identity in Europe today.
More info: FREE but ticketed via Eventbrite
We're Still Alive: Resistance, Solidarity and Hip-Hop in Iran
When: Thursday 29 May, 6-7:30pm
Where: Some Great Reward, 520 Victoria Road
Southside record café Some Great Reward hosts a listening party celebrating the music and message of Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi. Known for using hip-hop to speak out for human rights and democracy in Iran, Toomaj has faced imprisonment and a death sentence for his activism. This event offers a chance to share his music, learn more about his story, and stand in solidarity with those resisting oppression.
More info: FREE, all welcome.
Queen’s Park Arena Summer Programme is out now
Every year, Queen’s Park Arena is transformed into a hub for film screenings, live music and arts and activities. This year’s programme of events brings a whole host of films, from The Silence of the Lambs to entertainment for the little ones with Disney classics like Wall-E. You can also give a swing of the discs with their intro to DJ workshops or get creative with graffiti sessions, plus much more!
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.
