Issue 6 - Past, Present and Future of Govanhill

1 ALSO INCLUDING : The Govanhill Mural • Plans for the Clyde Metro • History of Dixon Halls • Peek Inside Govanhill Baths • Invisible Illness • Pakora Recipe • Archaeology of Queen’s Park • Open Mic Night • How Govanhill Stood up to Hate • What’s Happening to our Ash Trees • Roma Youth Speak Out • Community Ownership • Govanhill Cafes • What’s On • And so much more Featuring articles in: Română, čeština, , Polski Issue 6 Spring 2022 OFANDPRESENTPAST,FUTUREGOVANHILL THE STORIES THAT MATTER TO YOU FREE • GRATUIT • ÜCRETSIZ • GRATIS • ZADARMO BESPLATNO• • STURGEONNICOLA Talking Govanhill,trans rights, rent controls,Ukraine and much more! EXCLUSIVEINTERVIEW

We Support We Develop Providing and enabling access to events and toUndertakingtrainingresearchinfluencepolicyandstrategydevelopment

Offering bespoke services, provide information and signposting to forOfferingservicesspecialistaplatformmemberstoformpartnershipsandcollaborations

Some of our members (from bottom to top, left to right): Jeely Piece Club, African Challenge Scotland, GalGael, Locavore, Urban Roots, People’s Pantry (Govanhill Baths) @glasgow

The past year has shown how valuable relationships with others in our local area can be. It has never been more important that we can share our skills and create opportunities for each other. Not a social enterprise? Don’t worry, you can still be part of our network. Whether you’re starting up a social enterprise, or your organisation supports them, there’s a membership for you. GSEN membership is free for everyone.

gsen.org.uk

Engagingenterprisesandconsultingwithsocialenterprisestoensuretheirviewsarerepresented

We’re a growing movement.

Full membership? You’re an established social enterprise in the Greater Glasgow area and you meet the voluntary code for social enterprise in Scotland

We Connect Facilitating a safe space for members to share resources, ideas and experiences A social enterprise is run like a business, but the profits are invested back into the local area to create meaningful change

Aspiring Membership? You’re developing your organisation, and you’re working towards the voluntary code for social enterprise Associate Membership? You’re a supporter or partner of social enterprises in the Greater Glasgow area

We Promote Providing an outlet for awareness raising of social

At GSEN, we’re creating a space for different organisations to come together and exchange ideas, resources, and support. Our membership is growing and we’re always open to new members. GSEN brings together over 150 social enterprises (our members) and organisations that support their work (associate members)

In keeping with this, the theme for Issue 6 is around the past, present and future of Govanhill. The main features are divided into these categories, but of course very few stories can be so neatly boxed. Threads run through all of them, linking stories from Govanhill hundreds, even thousands of years ago, with what’s happening right now, and then trailing off into imagined futures. It’s a rich and varied journey through different aspects of this ever-changing community. At Greater Govanhill, we believe that the media should better reflect our society and that journalism should be democratised. We think it’s vital a more diverse range of voices are heard. That’s why we have launched a series of journalism skills training programmes. For this issue, our Young Voices team got to put questions to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in a frank and open interview on a wide range of topics. On 22 June, tune into Radio Buena Vida for the special edition of our radio show produced by those with experience of the asylum system. We’ll soon be announcing a wider programme of workshops, that anyone can take part in too. For now though, just get yourself a cuppa and enjoy the magazine.

Davies Creative Director Laura Hurst

Cover Image Maria Marchidanu in her 200 year old Romanian blouse in front of the

Rose O’Doherty has lived in Govanhill for 26 years, is active in local events and conversations and loves being part of this community. She is now retired and enjoys writing and coffee. Read about her favourite coffee spots in the area on page 30.

Laura Wade Translation Support from Ania Marchwiak, Alicja Tokarska, Romano Lav, Yemeni Foundation Scotland, Printed by Gladstone Media Ltd ContributorsFeatured All content, unless otherwise stated, is copyright © Greater Govanhill CIC. All rights reserved. No part of this independently published magazine may be reproduced without permission. Greater Govanhill CIC is a community interest company registered at Langside Lane, Glasgow, G42 8BH, Scotland: SC656194 Any queries, comments or letters, get in touch via: hello@greatergovanhill.com To make a complaint, visit: greatergovanhill.com/complaints A special thanks goes to our advertisers: Arkbound, Finn’s Place, Garolla, Glasgow Social Enterprise Network, Just Enterprise, Neighbourhood Postpartum, Slow Stitch Studio, Studio70, Sub Club, The Wee Retreat, Under One Roof Want to advertise in our next issue? Email becki@greatergovanhill.com This magazine would not be possible without the support of our community. If you want to help keep it going, become a member to be the first to receive each issue: greatergovanhill.com/support

Ben Cave, Ben Francis, Bruce Downie, Craig Hunter, David Doren, David Jamieson, Dylan Lombard, Giacinta Frisillo, Henry Bell, Jack Howse, Kenneth McElroy, Kiki Zheng, Laura Williams, Maisie Wilson, Maria Marchidanu, Marzanna Antoniak, Natalia, Pınar Aksu,

Esmée illustrated the article on community ownership on page 42. Usma Ashraf is an active parent and member in the community, has a passion for a range of arts and crafts such as candle making and supporting local organisations with family-based activities. She is currently working as a Volunteer Development Officer at Amina Muslim Women’s Resource Centre. Read her recipe for vegetable pakora on page 8. J www.paperarcade.co.uk mural

Cirpaci, Rhiannon J Davies, Rose O’Doherty, Ruth Cape, Sammy, Sean Kerwin, Shanine Gallagher,

Anwar, Spyro, Usma Ashraf,

Editing Support Becki Menzies, Chris Jarrell, Jack Howse, Mikey Jarrell Featuring the Photography of Alexander Hoyles, Angela Catlin, Ania Marchwiak, Audrey Bizouerne, Bartosz Madejski, Becky Duncan - Open Aye, David Henderson, Dylan Lombard, Eoin Carey, Kenneth McElroy, Rhiannon J Davies, Simon Murphy, Susanna Hotham, Virginie Chabrol by Balcewicz, Fiona Gibson, Suzie Cichy,

Carey

Illustrations

Words Anne Flynn, Beatrice Onashile, Becki Menzies, Rahela Shgufta Zainab Ashraf and Zanib Ahmad.

Editor-in-Chief Rhiannon

which is, in part, inspired by the garment.

Esmée

Esmée Balcewicz is an illustrator and maker with a passion for fun and colour! You can find her work on @balcewiczesmee.Instagram

Rhiannon J Davies Founder/Editor Letter from the Editor

Dear Readers, I write this just days before the local council elections, which provides a chance to reflect; to ask how the neighbourhood has changed over the years, and what we want from elected representatives in the next term.

by Alex Wilde, Allan Hughes, Ania Marchwiak,

Photo by Eoin

Contents 18 Digging into the History of Queen’s Park What whatexcavationsarchaeologicaltellusaboutliesbeneath 19 Dixon Halls Giving shape to Govanhill 20 Life on Pause Community resistance to our inhumane asylum system 22 How DefeatedGovanhillHate When the Blackshirts came to town 06REGULARS News in Brief All the latest from around the neighbourhood 08 Like my Grandmother Used to Make Pakora from Usma Ashraf 09 Meet the Volunteer Allan Hughes at The Hidden Gardens 10 Roma News and Views Natalia and Sammy’s speeches from International Roma Day 12 Your Govanhill With Big, and Wee Graham from Fulton’s Cafe 13 South East Integration Network Presents… The Glendale Women’s Cafe 16 Style Icon With Ruaridh Newman 34FEATURES EXCLUSIVE interview with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon Answering questions from our Young Voices team 14 Behind the Portrait Featuring Casian Covaciu and photography by Simon Murphy ROMANIANCZECH 21 The BehindStoriesthe Faces From the Yemeni Scotland Foundation PAST 4

Pronunciation:Proverb:Language: Saba bhāla tāra śēṣa bhāla yāra Translation: All’s well that ends well Language: 5

PRESENT FUTURE POLISH

start is half

Translation: A good its

hoibre

Issue 6 Spring 2022 23 Govanhill Baths: Past, Present and Future Featuring photography from behind the hoardings 27 Welcome to Govanhill The story behind the neighbourhood’s newest mural 30 A Cuppa Community Rose O’Doherty takes on a meander through some of her favourite cafes 32 Open Mic at the Bees Knees Close your eyes and listen to the music 39 Set the Seen Festival Bringing invisible illness into the spotlight 40 Power of the Pen Fresh writing from new voices 42 ‘Run it or lose it?’ Who does community ownership actually benefit? 44 Ash Dieback A loss for Queen’s Park 45 On Track for a More Connected Govanhill Plans for the Clyde Metro 46 Govanhill Dreams of the Future A utopian view of 2032 Language Quiz Created by Marzanna Antoniak FUTURE.PRESENT,PAST, Here is some multilingual wisdom about time; beginnings and endings; and life in general. Can you guess which language each proverb comes from? TO CLOSE 48 What’s On Summer is nearly here and there’s lot coming up! 50 Poetry Corner Still Life by Henry Bell 50 Hot Shot Freedom by Angela Catlin @@govanhill_maggreatergovanhillgreatergovanhill FOLLOW US If you like what you read, scan this code to support the magazine by becoming a ormembermaking a one-off donation! GOVANHILLGREATERSUPPORT BengaliScots,Urdu,Polish,Ukrainian,Persian,Irish,appear:proverbstheorderinAnswers,

Proverb:Language:Co się stało, to się nie odstanie Pronunciation: Tso syeh sta-woh toh syeh nyeh od-sta-nyeh

Spring

Proverb:Language:Pronunciation: sāli ke nekust, az bahāraš peydāst

year is evident in

Pronunciation:Proverb:Language: Sh-cho bulo – to proyshlo

work

Proverb: Tus maith leath na

Translation: What’s meant to happen will happen

Translation: What’s done cannot be undone

Pronunciation: Tus maa le-aa neh heb-reh

Translation: What was, has passed

Proverb:Language:Pronunciation: waqt sab say barha marham hai

Translation: A good the

Translation: Time is a big healer

Proverb:Language:What’s fur ye’ll no go by ye

These boards will be bursting with regularly updated community information including: groups and activities, local plans and consultations, support and other services, learning and employment opportunities, as well as key local contacts. If you have feedback or anything you want to flag anything up, contact Marzanna at mantoniak@govanhillha.org

Local Futures Report Released by Thriving Places

news in brief

Women on Wheels Group to Launch Women on wheels (WOW) is a new organisation which will launch in Govanhill on 27 May. It aims to get women onto bikes and keep them in the saddle for life.

Submit Your Ideas for the Govanhill Festival Govanhill Baths Community Trust is inviting people to submit ideas for contributions to the Govanhill International Festival 2022. The festival is a celebration of the diversity of the area and the flourishing arts and cultural scene we have here in Govanhill. It will take place between Tuesday 2 August - Sunday 14 August. Every year, the programme features talks, music, workshops, film, theatre, heritage events and guided walks. This year the trust want to make sure that the festival is as inclusive and diverse as possible and full of new and interesting events by artists, musicians, makers, so are calling out for more people to contribute. The deadline for submissions for your proposed contribution is 5pm on Friday 13th May 2022. For more info, get in touch with festival@govanhillbaths.com

• Govanhill Park (near the S. Annandale Street entrance).

GOT A NEWS ITEM TOSHARE, OR HAVE ASTORY WE SHOULD BEINVESTIGATING? Send an email www.greatergovanhill.comhello@greatergovanhill.comtoandcheckforallthelatestnews.

Thriving Places Govanhill have released the second stage of their locality plan for Govanhill, Crosshill and Strathbungo East as part of the wider report Govanhill Community Engagement and Information Strategy (GCEIS). The plan and GCEIS serve as a tool for people who are trying to make a difference in Govanhill. The strategy explains how to ensure that all residents are well-informed about the services and opportunities in the area and can meaningfully engage with them, with a special emphasis on reaching those who are most excluded. It can be read at: govanhill.info

• Govanhill Workspace (69 Dixon Road)

Greater Govanhill Launches Workshop Programmes

Refugee Festival Radio Show

Founding director, Shgufta Ali said: “The community cycling hub will be a space led by and for women. A space where women can feel supported whether they’re complete newbies, a little wobbly in the saddle or even seasoned riders; all are welcome.”

Throughout March and April, we have been running a journalism skills training course for young people in the local area from backgrounds typically under-represented in the media. We have had sessions on fact checking and interviewing. During April the young people had a chance to interview First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to ask about issues that matter to them. Read the interview on page 34. Our next issue will feature articles produced by the group.

New Community Noticeboards for Govanhill Govanhill has five brand new community noticeboards. Find them in the following locations:

• Dixon Halls (656 Cathcart Road)

Greater Govanhill will be running a series of workshops for people with experience of the asylum system to create, produce and present a radio show to be aired on Radio Buena Vida. The radio show will include stories that the participants have recorded themselves, mixed with music they have picked. The show will be broadcast as part of the Refugee Festival Scotland week on 22 June. If you are interested in finding out more about the workshops we offer, hello@greatergovanhilll.comcontact

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WOW will deliver cycle lessons, lead rides, run maintenance classes and hold lots of inspirational events to get even those women who are on the fence about cycling on a saddle. More details at: womenonwheels.org.uk

• Locavore (corner of Victoria Road and Calder Street)

Introduction to Journalism Skills Course

• Samaritan House (79 Coplaw Street)

On 21 May, The Point on Queen’s Drive will see the launch of a UK wide tour of screenings of The Deathless Woman, the first feature film to be in Romani. This modern ghost story will lead you on a journey through archives and landscapes of Roma persecution during WWII and how this affects Roma people to this day. It will be introduced by Rahele Cirpaci of Romano Lav The film will be preceded by a Romani workshop led by Juice Vamosi, who grew up in a Roma community in Southern Hungary. Since he started translating Romani to English at the age of ten, he went on to master most of the Romani dialects spoken all over the world – a unique skill. He will explain some of the histories of the Romani language, its similarities to Hindi and other IndoAryan languages, how it evolved in different ways as people moved to (or through) different countries and some of the 'loan words' picked up or given. Following this, there will be a chance to ask questions, and to practise some words in various dialects.

ROMANIAN de to order sustainable clothing & textiles. Clothing repair. sed in Mount Florida, contact via stitch.hello@gmail.com @slow.stitch.studio@slow.stitch.studio

Romani Language Workshop and Film Screening

S low Stitch Stud i o . Made to order sustainable clothing & textiles. Clothing repair. Based in Mount Florida, contact via slow stitch hello@gmail com @slow.stitch.studio@slow.stitch.studio

Vă invităm să participați la ediția Street Feast a Govanhill Community Market pe 25 iunie. Vom avea tarabe, muzică live, activități în familie și o masă comună mare. Ne imaginăm mese lungi pe stradă cu vecini din tot Govanhill-ul care împart mâncărurile lor preferate de casă și discuții nesfârșite cu prieteni noi și vechi. Iată doar câteva modalități prin care te poți implica: ține o tarabă în piață; aduceți un fel de mâncare de casă de împărțit;rezentați un spectacol de muzică/dans, conduceți un atelier, conduceți jocuri de stradă sau faceți pictură pe față; ajutați la realizarea decorațiunilor, strângeți scaune și mese și coordonați evenimentul. Mai ai idei? Intrați în legătură! Vom oferi sprijin și vom ajuta la coordonareaEvenimentulevenimentului.esteorganizat de GAMIS, G42 Pop-Ups, Govanhill Baths Community Trust și va avea loc pe 25 iunie între orele 12:00 și 16:00 la Bat. Lab. pe strada Batson, lângă Govanhill Picture House. Contacte: g42popups@gmail.com sau G42 Pop-Ups pe Facebook sau Instagram. in brief

news

Get Involved with a Street Feast on 25 June G42 Pop Ups invite you to take part in the Street Feast edition of Govanhill Community Market on the 25 June. There will be market stalls, live music, family activities and a big community meal. The plan is to have long tables running down the street, with neighbours from all over Govanhill sharing their favourite homemade dishes and chats with new and old friends across the table.You can also get involved by: holding a market stall; bringing a homemade dish to share; performing music/dance; running a workshop; leading street games; doing face painting; or helping to make decorations, collect chairs or coordinate the event. The event is organised by GAMIS, G42 Pop-Ups, Govanhill Baths Community Trust and will take place on the 25th June from 12pm to 4pm at the Bat. Lab. on Batson Street next to Govanhill Picture House. To find out more, contact: g42popups@gmail.com or find G42 Pop-Ups on Facebook and Instagram.

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Radio Buena Vida’s New Hub Radio Buena Vida has confirmed that it has secured a new permanent home on Victoria Road. The online community radio station, which was started during lockdown by Suz O'Neill and David Fleming, will move from its current home at Some Great Reward Record Store just across the street to the unit beside Cùrlach. They hope to open the space early this summer which will double as a radio broadcasting centre and a café/ events space with hopes in the future to provide access to a soundproofed studio space and to hold workshops and training sessions as well as collaborative pop-ups and events. If you're interested in getting involved in community radio, check out their 'Get Involved' page on www.buenavida.co.uk

During Ramadan, this recipe is simple and quick as it’s all put into one bowl and then fried just before iftar [the meal served after sunset when fasting ends]. It’s a common snack to serve when you break your fast, to gift to neighbours or whip up before guests come over to visit. Like many others, my family and I always make a pact to avoid fried food during the month of Ramadan. But in the end we give in due to the convenience and cravings of comfort food after a long day of fasting.

Chop potatoes and onions into small pieces. I prefer cubed but some prefer julienne. Combine these two ingredients with the peas and mix. (You can also try adding chopped cauliflower or aubergine at this stage if you like.)

8. Best served with raita or plain yoghurt.

Some people feel adding the salt at the end stops the mixture from turning out too soft and others prefer not to put an egg in. The good thing with this recipe is that you can fry a small amount, check the taste and add more spices to the mixture accordingly, so the whole batch is never wasted.

8

7. When they look lightly golden, take them out.

This will serve two people – although it depends on how many you like to eat. There are many variations to this recipe and everyone has their own touch they add to make their pakoras taste good.

2. Place the gram flour in a bowl, the add in your vegetables, all the spices and then your coriander.

4. Add small amounts of water initially. If the mixture is too thick, add in more water, but be careful not to make the mixture watery.

Vegetable Pakora

5. Heat the oil in a pan.

like my grandmother used to make

Ingredients 160gm of gram flour 1 tsp of chilli powder 1 tsp of salt 1 tsp of garam masala ½ tsp of cumin seeds ½ tsp of dry or chopped fresh coriander 1 large potato 3 tbsp of fresh or frozen peas 1 medium onion 50ml of water 1 egg Sunflower oil to deep fry

1.Method

There’s nothing quite like your grandmother’s cooking to transport you to a more familiar setting. And the kitchens of Govanhill tenements are filled with the aromas of a multitude of different cuisines reflecting the make-up of the Inneighbourhood.thisseries,we ask people to provide a recipe that tastes like home. Got a recipe to share? Get in hello@greatergovanhill.comtouch:

By Usma Ashraf

3. Add in your egg and mix thoroughly with a spoon or your hands.

6. Make small balls of the veggie mixture with two tablespoons and gently drop them into your hot oil.

Vegetable Pakora

This recipe is mine, but everyone has their own technique. Growing up in an Asian household, measurements when cooking were never a thing. You would always be told to guess with your eye. It would be frustrating not knowing the exact amount but with practice you end up adjusting the taste and measurements to your liking.

I moved to Govanhill from the East End about 14 years ago. Having green space was a priority and I now share a southfacing back garden. There is a lovely pear tree at the bottom of the garden that is a delight all year round. That’s where I got an interest in growing things. I used to come home from work, head outside and forget the stress of the office.

SpotlightVolunteer

When I was made redundant five years ago, I was at a loss with what to do with myself. I went to an employment agency and they suggested to try voluntary gardening at The Hidden Gardens. I’ve been doing it ever since.

When I became a volunteer at The Hidden Gardens, I felt extremely inspired. I gained new confidence and felt rejuvenated from the stresses I’d gathered over years. It sounds like a cliché, but gardening is really therapeutic and great for mental wellbeing. It’s also quite creative. I learned how to plan a garden and study foliage textures, plant placement, and colour combinations with flowers. I gained a nurturing spirit looking afterGardeningplants. creates a habitat for insects to thrive, which encourages birds and other creatures to visit and often nest in.

Allan Hughes

Portrait by Virginia Chabrol

Looking after a green space gives you a real sense of purpose, and the garden will reward you three fold. I believe plants communicate with us and can enhance an inner calm that contributes to our well-being. What is unique about The Hidden Gardens is that it’s an activity-based organisation, which aims to create social and cultural interaction in the heart of a built up area. Govanhill has a rich diversity of cultures, and from the outset, the Hidden Gardens has embraced this by encouraging local people to meet and share interests. People from differing backgrounds can participate in activities like cooking, Pilates, bird watching, or art. They often host free events with music, craft workshops, story-telling, exhibitions, and much more.

The Hidden Gardens

Another aspect of The Hidden Gardens’ commitment is social inclusion. I am a member of the men’s group, which aims to encourage men who may feel socially isolated to meet up with new friends through taking part in workshops. I’ve often met guys who start off feeling a bit awkward, but, with a little patience and encouragement, through a shared interest, they often find confidence. I too experienced personal change within the group. I wasn’t in the best of places after losing my job, but the group helped me come to terms with – and accept – my situationWedo mindfulness, foraging, tai chi, cooking; a whole variety of activities. Over lockdown, we met on Zoom and took part in writing, drawing and poetry. Music is a great favourite, and we even had online guitar lessons. We often meet up and have a good old Everyonesing-along.iswelcome at The Hidden Gardens. Why not drop in, see what’s going on and have a chat? All the activities are relaxing, a fun way to spend an afternoon, and a great way of making new friends. If you’re interested in finding out more about volunteering at The Hidden Gardens or coming along to one of the groups, visit thehiddengardens.org.uk/get-involved or get in contact via andrea@thehiddengardens.org.uk or 0141 433 2722. Through my time at The Hidden Gardens, I have revived some old interests. I have taken up art and poetry. I also have an album on Soundcloud called ‘Allan and Sally play music from the Hidden Gardens.’ You can scan here to listen:

I originally worked in medical illustration in the Western Infirmary. But advances in technology caused my job to become obsolete. As a mature student I gained a degree in digital art and design. Following that, I got a job as an administrative assistant. But it was very repetitive and monotonous work, which left my mind feeling blank.

NATALIA Ahoj všichni, jmenuji se Natalia a jsem slovenská Romka. Pracuji s projektem Govanhill Roma Youth Project. Než se podělím o své zkušenosti, ráda bych všem poděkovala za to, že jste zde oslavili tento výjimečný den. Jsem potěšena, když vidím, jak se všichni scházejí, aby oslavili naši kulturu. Budu mluvit o své cestě jako Romka a mluvit o kurzu Catalyst, kterého jsem se nedávno zúčastnila.Romové jsou schopni mnohem víc, než si myslí. Když jsem byla ve škole, nikdy jsem nerozuměla práci, která mi byla dána, vždy jsem si myslel, že nejsem dost schopna, abych získala dobrou práci. Dostala jsem komentáře od lidí, kteří říkali, že se nikdy nikam nedostanu, protože jsem Romka a jsem jina. Nemyslíte si, že svět, ve kterém žijeme, může být občas krutý a chladný, ale to neznamená, že bychom se měli vzdát. Začala jsem si vše zpracovávat v hlavě a uvědomila jsem si, že mohu být víc, než říká vnější komunita, vzala jsem všechny ty negativní komentáře v úvahu a změnila své myšlení, začala jsem si více věřit, snažila jsem se zůstat otevřena a otevřený. Vyzvala jsem sáma sebe, abych zkoušela nové věci, a tady jsem se dostala, díky všem, kteří mi pomohli dostat se tak daleko. Jsem tak vděčna, že pracuji s organizací, kde se cítím respektována a společensky přijímána. Školení Catalyst mě naučilo má lidská práva, spolu s dalšími úžasnými věcmi, jako je vždy stát si za svým, používat svůj hlas a pomáhat ostatním, kteří potřebují vaši pomoc. Vyzývám dnes každého z vás, abyste se vždy postavili za sebe a ostatní, když uvidíte nespravedlnost! To je to, co jsem se naučil v tomto kurzu a v tom budu pokračovat.

Romská mládež mluví nahlas

Romano Lav made me realise that we’re not alone, that we can use our own voices and that we have great power. When we work together we are strong. I ask you to stand with us, your Roma brothers and sisters, to fight for a beautiful world free from the ugliness of racism!

Roma Youth Speak Out

The catalyst training has taught me about my rights as a human being, along with other amazing things, such as always standing up for yourself, using your voice and helping others who need your help. I call on each and everyone of you to always stand up for yourself and others when you see an injustice. That is what I have learned in this course and that is what I’ll continue doing!

SAMMY Hi everyone, my name is Sammy. Today is such a special day for all of us. This is our opportunity to show people what our culture is all about. I can say that I’m proud to be Roma and to be different from other cultures. I want people to know what Roma is and what being Roma means to us. This is why I joined Romano Lav. Romano Lav taught me so much; many new different things that I never knew about. They taught me that I have the right to stand up for other people. I have the right to have rights, and to haveEverfreedom.sinceI was little I experienced so much racism and hate from other people just because of my skin colour and for being Roma. Hateful comments made me hate my skin colour; made me wish I wasn’t Roma. But I’ve learned how to embrace that, I’ve learned how to love myself, and love my culture. Being different is okay! I gained confidence, I’ve learned how to stand up for myself and for others.

SAMMY Ahoj všichni, jmenuji se Sammy, v první řadě vám všem děkuji, že jste tady. Dnes je pro nás pro všechny tak výjimečný den! Toto je naše příležitost ukázat lidem, o čem je naše kultura a co pro nás znamená být Romem. Mohu říci, že jsem hrda na to, že jsem Romka a že se liším od jiných kultur. Chci, aby lidé věděli, co je Rom a co pro nás znamená být Romem. Proto jsem se přidal k Romano Lavovi. Romano Lav mě naučil tolik a naučil mě tolik nových věcí, o kterých jsem nikdy nevěděla. Naučili mě, že mám právo zastat se druhých lidí. Mám právo mít práva a mít svobodu.

The following texts are speeches written by Sammy and Natalia for International Roma Day. Both took part in Romano Lav’s ‘Community Catalysts’ course, in which a group of 12 Roma young people spent 8 weeks learning about their rights and how to fight for them. Projevy Sammyho a Natalie z Mezinárodního dne Romů. Zúčastnili se kurzu v Romano Lav’s ‘Community Catalyst’ – skupina 12 mladých Romů, kteří absolvovali 8 tydenní kurz, v němž se dozvěděli vše o svých právech a o tom, jak za ně bojovat.

Už od malička jsem od ostatních dostával tolik rasismu a nenávisti jen kvůli své barvě pleti a kvůli tomu, že jsem Romka. Nenávistné komentáře mě donutily nenávidět svou barvu pleti, přát si, abych nebyla Rom. Ale naučila jsem se, jak to přijmout, naučila jsem se milovat sáma sebe a milovat svou kulturu! Být jina je v pořádku! Získala jsem sebevědomí, naučila jsem se, jak se postavit za sebe i za ostatní. Romano lav mě přiměl uvědomit si, že nejsme sami, máme právo používat vlastní hlasy a že máme velkou moc. Když pracujeme společně, jsme silní. Žádám vás, abyste stáli s námi, vašimi romskými bratry a sestrami, a bojovali za krásný svět bez ošklivosti rasismu!

Hello everyone, my name is Natalia and I am Slovakian Roma. I work with the Govanhill Roma Youth Project. I am delighted to see everyone coming together to celebrate our culture. I am going to talk about my journey as a Roma individual and speak about the catalyst course I have recently attended. Roma people are capable of so much more than they think. When I was in school, I never understood the work that was given to me, so I always thought I was not capable enough to get a good job. I got comments from people saying I’ll never get anywhere due to being Roma and being different. Don’t you think the world we live in can be cruel and cold hearted at times? But that doesn’t mean we should give up. I started to process everything in my head and realised that I can be more than what others say. I took all those negative comments into consideration and changed my mindset. I started to believe in myself more. I pushed myself to remain open minded and I challenged myself to try new things –and this is where I’ve got to. Thanks to everyone who has helped me come this far; I am so thankful to work with an organisation where I feel respected and socially accepted.

NATALIA

CZECH roma news and views

Salutare tuturor, numele meu este Natalia și sunt rom slovac. Lucrez cu Proiectul Govanhill Roma Youth. Înainte de a împărtăși experiența mea, aș dori să le mulțumesc tuturor pentru că sunt aici pentru a sărbători această zi specială. Sunt încântat să văd pe toți venind împreună pentru a sărbători cultura noastră. Voi vorbi despre călătoria mea ca persoană romă și voi vorbi despre cursul Catalyst la care am participat recent. Romii sunt capabili de mult mai mult decât cred. Când eram la școală, nu am înțeles niciodată munca care mi se dădea, mereu am crezut că nu sunt suficient de capabilă pentru a obține un loc de muncă bun. Am primit comentarii de la oameni care spun că nu voi ajunge niciodată nicăieri din cauza faptului că sunt rom și sunt diferit. Nu crezi că lumea în care trăim poate fi uneori crudă și rece, dar asta nu înseamnă că ar trebui să renunțăm. Am început să procesez totul în capul meu și mi-am dat seama că pot fi mai mult decât ceea ce spune comunitatea exterioară, am luat în considerare toate acele comentarii negative și mi-am schimbat mentalitatea, am început să cred mai mult în mine, m-am împins să rămân deschis la minte și M-am provocat să încerc lucruri noi și aici am ajuns, mulțumesc tuturor celor care m-au ajutat să ajung până aici. Sunt atât de recunoscător că lucrez cu o organizație în care mă simt respectat și acceptat social. Formarea Catalyst m-a învățat drepturile mele ca ființă umană, împreună cu alte lucruri uimitoare, cum ar fi să mă susțin mereu pentru tine, să-ți folosești vocea și să-i ajut pe alții care au nevoie de ajutorul tău. Îi fac apel la fiecare dintre voi aici astăzi să vă ridicați mereu pentru voi și pentru alții atunci când vedeți o nedreptate! Asta am învățat la acest curs și asta voi continua să fac. SAMMY Bună tuturor, numele meu este Sammy, în primul rând vă mulțumesc tuturor pentru că sunteți aici. Astăzi este o zi atât de specială pentru noi toți! Aceasta este oportunitatea noastră de a le arăta oamenilor despre ce este cultura noastră și ce înseamnă pentru noi să fim romi. Pot spune că sunt mândru că sunt rom și că sunt diferit de alte culturi. Vreau ca oamenii să știe ce este romul și ce înseamnă a fi rom pentru noi. De aceea m-am alăturat lui Romano Lav. Romano Lav m-a învățat atât de multe și m-a învățat atât de multe lucruri noi diferite despre care nu am știut niciodată. M-au învățat că am dreptul să apăr în favoarea altor oameni. Am dreptul să am drepturi și să am libertate. De când eram mică am primit atât de mult rasism și ură de la alți oameni doar din cauza culorii pielii mele și pentru că sunt rom. Comentariile pline de ură m-au făcut să-mi urăsc culoarea pielii, m-au făcut să-mi doresc să nu fiu rom. Dar am învățat cum să îmbrățișez asta, am învățat cum să mă iubesc și să-mi iubesc cultura! A fi diferit este în regulă! Am câștigat încredere, am învățat să mă apăr pentru mine și pentru ceilalți. Romano lav m-a făcut să realizez că nu suntem singuri, avem dreptul să ne folosim propriile voci și că avem o mare putere. Când lucrăm împreună, suntem puternici. Vă rog să fiți alături de noi, frații și surorile voastre romi, pentru a lupta pentru o lume frumoasă, fără urâțenia rasismului! Discursurile lui Sammy și Natalia de la Ziua Internațională a Romilor. Au participat la cursul „Community Catalyst” al lui Romano Lav – un grup de 12 tineri romi care au urmat un curs de 8 săptămâni pentru a afla totul despre drepturile lor și cum să lupte pentru ei.

Tinerii vorbescRomiNATALIA

ROMANIAN Sammy delivering her speech at International Roma Day in April. Photo by Susanna Hotham. roma news and views

Big Graham: Kirsty McColl, Tina Turner, Def Leppard – I’m definitely an 80s boy! For Wee Graham: Tracy Chapman, or anything else folky or country. What is thatfavouriteyourdishyouserve? That has to be our homemade steak pie, potatoes and veg. It’s Wee Graham’s mum’s recipe… thanks Margaret!

If fancyyou takeawayainGovanhill,whatdoyouorder?

Prior to going into business together, Wee Graham used to work as a catering manager with the world’s largest corporate catering company, while Big Graham had a sales, advertising and banking background. They decided they wanted to get out of their high-pressured work environments, and do something for themselves. They opened their first cafe on Allison Street in 2002, then Fulton’s on Victoria Road in 2016. They say the fact they’ve now spent 20 years running establishments here is “thanks to the fab people of Govanhill”.

Where do you love to shop in the area? It’s great to have a wander round the charity shops. But we also love the fact that with all the local shops and businesses, you can get just about anything – from buying my latest mobile phone to selling our last house.

As you turn into Victoria Road, looking straight ahead into Glasgow. Or just sitting in the Allison Arms with pals and a pint. What’s on theheadphonesyouratmoment?

Wee Graham: a Wilbur Smith novel

Wee favouriteGraham’sispizza from Errol’s Hot Pizza. It’s such a treat to eat! What do you like most about running a cafe in Govanhill? We love the diversity of people we get to meet. All walks of life pass through our doors.

G o v a n h i l Yl our 12

G raham Fulton, Graham Russell , aka Big Graham and Wee Graham, run Fulton’s Cafe on Victoria Road. They are a married couple who have been together for an incredible 28 years. Wee Graham was born in Maryhill and grew up in Irvine while Big Graham born and bred in Newton Mearns.

Big Graham: Mother’s Boy by Patrick Gayle, or anything by local author, Karl Hill. And we are both loving watching Heartstopper on Netflix

Favourite spot in Govanhill?

What are you reading/ watching?

workshops, cups of tea,

MacCulloch Street.

Looking back over a decade of working in the community, Godsal reflects: “Planning our 10 year celebration party is showing us how far we have come. We want to link to lots of the women who have joined us through this journey and celebrate with them. We want to reach out to other communities and women, and make everyone welcome.”

Garolla garage doors are expertly made to measure in our own UK factories, they’re strong and solidly built. The electric Garolla door rolls up vertically, taking up only 8 inches inside your garage, maximising valuable space. Give us a call today and we’ll come and measure up completely FREE of charge. CALL US TODAY ON: 0141 538 0035 MOBILE: 07537 149 128 WHAT’S INCLUDED WITH EVERY DOOR: • FREE EXPERT MEASURING & FITTING • 2 REMOTE CONTROLS • ACOUSTIC & THERMAL INSULATION • FREE DISPOSAL OF YOUR OLD DOOR • AVAILABLE IN 21 COLOURS Now garagefifor£895only*afullyttedelectricdoor. WAS £1,354 INCLUDING VAT. SEIN Presents…. THE GLENDALE WOMEN’S CAFE

By Ruth Cape advertorial

Looking ahead, they would love to be open for a second day in the week to bring more people to the café and are hopeful for a bigger, more flexible space; the dream is for somewhere with a range of rooms for different activities, prayer, cooking and more. The café is open on Tuesdays, and all women are welcome. Visit glendalewomenscafe.org.uk for information, or get in touch via theglendalewomenscafe@gmail.com or 07871350149. If you can, please consider donating to the café via the website to help keep it sustainable.

Godsal & Parveen at the Glendale Women’s Café

and now works

The pandemic has, naturally, affected how the café works. During the lockdowns, women connected on Zoom and did some outdoor activities such as woodland photography and local heritage walks. Being in the space together was hugely missed (along with Parveen’s hugs). Now, to keep people safe, the café no longer works as a drop-in, but women can sign up for sessions.

The South East Integration Network (SEIN) is a network of community groups and organisations working across the south east of Glasgow providing services & activities to promote diversity & support community integration. The Glendale Women’s Cafe are one of SEIN’s 80+ member groups. Meet the rest of SEIN’s members at: seinglasgow.org.uk/meet-our-members cycles, which gives women the opportunity to share skills that they have learnt in previous workshops. Godsal, the project coordinator says: “Much of what we do is around community engagement and networking. It’s great to connect with other organisations delivering activities or advice or training. This means that women at the café get to hear about what they can join or take part in, in their local community.”

sessions.

The Glendale Women’s Café began life in a small portacabin on Local women were offered massage, facials, mendhi, and a chat. Parveen, who volunteered at the time as manager remembers doing all of this with no water or electricity – they would pop home across the road to wash cups for the next It became so popular they had to look for a bigger space –and found their current home at 423 Shields Road. The aim of the café has always been to provide space to bring women together. Workshops and activities have included English lessons, cycling, banner-making and poetry. Everything is led by what local women ask for; this is a big part of what the café is about. The workshops often run in

Photo by Simon Murphy Interview by Rhiannon J Davies

BEHIND CasianPORTRAITTHECovaciu

In the future I want to have a family and lead a beautiful life. I mean I want to be happy. Always happy.

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“I met Casi walking along Allison Street with his friend Roni. Both of them looked fantastic and it turns out that they were heading to buy a present for a wedding that was happening that day. I just had to photograph them.

I love the food in our celebrations. We eat sarmale (stuffed cabbage leaves) and roast meats and other dishes. My mum does the cooking. I’m originally from Oradea in Western Romania. But we travelled around and I lived in France and Ireland before coming to Glasgow.

“Much of my portraiture comes from chance meetings in the street. You never know what will happen or who you might meet around a corner so my process involves clearing my mind and wandering, open to life and opportunity. The project has been building over a number of years now and I’m starting to think about beginning work on a book of the Followphotographs.”@smurph77 on Instagram for more.

This photo forms part of Simon Murphy’s Govanhill series in which shoots portraits of people who catch his eye as he walks about the neighbourhood, camera in hand. The project celebrates the diversity and community of the area, finding beauty in our Speakingdifferences.about this image, Simon said:

I was on going to a wedding when Simon asked to take my picture. That’s the traditional clothes we wear for weddings; a long overcoat, a blue suit with white stripes and a traditional hat. I like to look smart and get dressed up. I do it for Christmas and Easter and other events too. The rest of the time, I prefer to wear tracksuits.

There are some fun traditions in a Gypsy wedding. We go to the house of the parents of the bride. There will be lots of other women there, and the groom has to pick the bride out from the group. When he does this, we take her and go to the ceremony.

It means a lot to me to be Gypsy. I love the fact that I can speak many other languages like French, English, Romanian, Spanish and Gypsy. And I love the music, singing and dancing in our culture.

I want to make something of my life. That’s why I wanted to come to Glasgow –so I could go to a proper school. I went to Shawlands Academy and loved it. I plan to become a barber. Ever since I was tiny, I’ve always enjoyed like going for haircuts. So now I’m training at the City of Glasgow College. Govanhill is where I want to live forever. It’s where I grew up. We arrived ten years ago, when I was seven, so I feel like I’ve been here my whole life.

I like that I have friends from all different cultures here. And there are lots of nice parks, places, clubs. Glasgow is a friendly place too. I work in the Transylvania Coffee and Shop. It’s a good experience for me, learning how to make coffee and people are always coming in to talk.

I’m wearing an oversized t-shirt over a thin wool turtleneck and a pair of baggy canvas trousers. I’m also wearing these Unsound Festival socks I got when I went last year. It’s this music festival in Krakow that features experimental music, DJs, local Polish and global artists and talks. I’ve been a couple of times now and want to continue to go every year forever – it’s just amazing. Last year’s festival was the first I’ve been to since the pandemic began, so it was really special.

Do you have any favourite colours, textures or articles of clothing?

I don’t actually have that many clothes. I have a lot of different outfits, though. I just put my clothes together in different ways. I was really big into those long-sleeve shirts in the early 2000s with a short sleeve sewn over the top. My outfit today is a nod to that. I actually struggle with wearing colours, though. It makes me feel uncomfortable. Muted colours make me feel like myself. What would you call your style?

Ruaridh Newman

Style Icon

Ruaridh originally hails from the small town of Huntly in Aberdeenshire, but has been a long-time Southside local. After completing a degree in physics, he started his career as a web developer. His passion for music comes through in his work for the online electronic music mag, Resident Advisor. You can find Ruaridh in and around Govanhill playing a game of Mölkky (aka Finnish skittles) in Queen’s Park or DJing electronic music for his pals.

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I don’t follow any fashion people or things. I just look around and see people in the street and if I like their clothes, I try to dress more like that. Govanhill definitely has a style.

Do you have a style icon?

I’d like to try to make more of my own clothes. I tried making my own trousers once, after I went on a beginner’s sewing course at Sew Confident [in Finnieston] with my partner Ola, but I didn’t like them because they just didn’t fit right. It’s really hard to find patterns for men’s clothes, so you end up using a woman’s clothing pattern, but trying to make it fit a man’s figure. It doesn’t really work. I’d never done anything like that before. It’s very precise. You have to work out how everything fits together. I loved it.

Hey Ruaridh! What have you got on today?

Yeah, for sure. I grew up in the countryside and we mostly wore a lot of gardening and outdoorsy clothes. But when I moved to London, I started noticing everyone looking good all the time. I notice people around here a lot, too. Where is your style heading now?

What’s next for your style?

Interview by giacinta frisillo Portrait by Alexander Hoyles

I don’t have a name for my style, but my parents called me “urban” once.

Is Govanhill’s style influencing your look?

I’ve been trying to find some nice big woolly jumpers lately. My great-granny made one for my dad when he was at uni. She knitted this thing that comes practically down to your knees and is all knobbly. I don’t know if he ever wore it, but when I went off to uni, he gave it to me. In Glasgow, it’s so cold you have to wear layers, which I love.

FREE SUPPORT FOR START-UPS justenterprise.org/start-up/ One to one advice, workshops, and webinars for those doing good in their community!

Though the excavations were somewhat inconclusive as to whether or not Camphill was prehistoric in nature, there is tantalising evidence of another nearby prehistoric subterranean structure just by Queen’s Park on Minard Road, sometime before 1918.

There is only a brief mention of this in records held by Canmore (Scotland’s national record of the historic environment), which states: ‘An underground galleried and alcoved house was brought to light at 36 Minard Road’. This may have been a monument known as a ‘souterrain’, which comes from the French for underground, or perhaps a dwelling. This would indicate the area has been inhabited, used and traversed long before Paxton drew up his park plans. Despite Fairhurst and Scott’s excavations leading to something of a disappointing assessment of Camphill, they also made a fitting find. Leading out from the enclosure was a ‘stretch of trampled clay’ with ‘patches of gravel’. This may be the remains of an ancient road or routeway – potentially the oldest to have been found in the city –suggesting that people have been trampling around Queen’s Park for hundreds if not thousands of years!

Queen’s Park is many things to different people – a place to relax and unwind, meet with friends, coo at signets or just stretch your legs. But it’s also a place of real historic and prehistoric significance; something else to consider when you’re next sitting on that bench. here is nothing quite like plonking yourself down on a Queen’s Park bench, with a Continental Deli ‘Hot ‘n’ Spicy’ in hand, to watch the world go by. Joggers compete with waddling ducks for path space, Glasgow School of Art fashionistas rock their charity shop finds, young parents chat with auld heids, Tinder dates converge at the flagpole, bairns take turns to roll down the hill, skateboards scrape along the steps of Queen’s Park arena, and then there’s the never-ending array of doggos on parade. Queen’s Park holds a key place in the heart of many Southsiders. The number of different people who frequent it on a daily basis tells you that much. Of course, this is a wellpresented green space, with several paths and features to enjoy, so you might expect it to be busy. But even prior to its development as a park in the late 19th century by Sir Charles Paxton, this place was an important part of Glasgow.There is a very obvious reason for this; the hill (which is actually a ‘drumlin’, if you want to be pedantic about it – drumlins are elongated, teardrop-shaped hills of rock, sand and gravel that formed under moving glacier ice, tens of thousands of years ago). The drumlin here, named Camphill – once the original name for Queen’s Park – is the

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By McElroyKenneth focal point of the park, offering extensive views across the city. It is also where you can find some of the oldest remnants of the Queen’s Park story. At the top of Camphill, obscured by a ring of trees and vegetation, is a monument which no doubt goes unnoticed by a great many Queens Park visitors. A substantial ring of earth can be found atop the hill, some 1.2m high in places and measuring roughly 93 x 95m. It forms an enclosure of sorts – but what is it? The truth is difficult to discern. The name ‘Camphill’ comes from the local perception that the hill was the site of a Roman encampment. Interestingly enough, a shard of Samian ware pottery (a type popular throughout the Roman Empire) was found here in 1985. A coin bearing the image of Drusus (son of the emperor Tiberius), dating to around 23 AD, was also found prior to the construction of the Camphill Bowling Green.

According to Dr Kenny Brophy, senior lecturer in archaeology at the University of Glasgow, it has been suggested that the hilltop ‘enclosure’ dates to the Iron Age –making it potentially over 2,000 years old. Yet Brophy writes on his blog, The Urban Prehistorian, that this “has never been established – although the form and location of the site means it cannot be ruled out”. As far back as 1867, attempts were made to try and understand the monument. A crude excavation took place here where a ‘paved surface’ and a ‘cake of charred oats mixed with fragments of oak’ (which sounds like a Southside cake, right enough) as well as a millstone were discovered. This led some to suspect it was a settlement or a corn drying kiln – very different conclusions.

Almost a century later, archaeologists Horace Fairhurst and Jack Scott investigated the site in greater detail. Their excavations did not reveal any Iron Age origins, and their evaluation has been described as ‘rather limp’ by Brophy. They concluded that they suspected it could be Iron Age in origin, but their discovery of shards of 14th century pottery and a fragment of blue glass cast doubt on this hypothesis. In the end, the pair regarded the site as a ‘clay castle’, which is something of a vague descriptor.

When Dixon Halls on Cathcart Road, opened on Friday 12 December 1879 it was one of the more unusual burgh halls of the time, because it served not just one burgh (municipal district), but two. Known originally as the Crosshill and Govanhill Burgh Hall, it was the gift of the local landowner, William Dixon, to the recently formed burghs of Crosshill and Govanhill.Theconstruction of Queen’s Park and Victoria Road, which began in 1859, allowed development in the area on a scale that had not been possible before. In the space of little more than 15 years, new streets were laid out, many new houses and tenement blocks were constructed, and the local population grew from just a few hundred to over 12,000, so some degree of municipal control was urgently required to provide essential services.

The Police of Towns (Scotland) Act in 1850, stated that ‘a populous place’ could become a burgh if it had more than 1200 residents. Crosshill achieved burgh status in 1871, empowering the new commissioners to spend money on local services, like paving, lighting and cleansing. In 1877, Govanhill also became a burgh, and able to deal with localSoonissues.after, William Dixon declared his intention to gift a public hall to the two new burghs. This would provide a much-needed social space and a place to conduct municipal and judicial business. It would also, perhaps more importantly, be a symbol of all that the burghs had achieved in becoming selfgoverning and independent. The hall is not the oldest building in the neighbourhood; there are several houses and tenement blocks which are older. It is not even the oldest public building; that distinction lies with the original Calder Street School, built in 1874. But it is perhaps, architecturally at least, the most impressive building that has survived from that formative period.

DIXON HALLS

The Dixon Halls was the centre of the community for many years, and still is for some people today. While the halcyon days may have gone, it is worth remembering that the Dixon Halls represented local identity and celebrated the achievement of building and creating a community from almost nothing, in less than twenty years. The Dixon Halls is a treasure in our midst, which gave shape and form and substance to an idea, the idea of Govanhill and Crosshill. Bruce Downie is a historian and author of Loved And Lost: Govanhill’s Built Heritage which can be ordered from www.govanhillbaths.com

By Bruce Downie Map reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland the name to Dixon Halls, to honour their benefactor. In the years that followed, countless social events took place in what was one of the most significant local venues; glittering formal dances, operas, music recitals, plays, political meetings and humble churchDixonsocials.made one important stipulation; if the burghs ever decided to become part of the City of Glasgow, then Glasgow would have to purchase the hall and donate the money to the construction or upkeep of a southern infirmary. That day came in 1891 and prompted a fierce debate about the value of the hall. At first Glasgow offered just £4,500, but eventually around £7,000 was donated to the Victoria FollowingInfirmary.annexation, Dixon Halls became one of Glasgow’s public halls and

Giving Shape to Govanhill

For more

Kenmure

Discussions around the asylum system are once again in the news. While it’s right that a welcome has been extended to those fleeing the war in Ukraine, it has only served to highlight the differences between how we treat those arriving from other countries. Human rights activist, Pınar Aksu, who has experience of the asylum system herself, reflects on some of the key moments from the past few years and the unity now needed in the face of the Nationality and Borders Bill. At the start of the pandemic, when we were unsure of everything, people seeking asylum and refuge were evicted from their homes across Glasgow and put into hotel accommodation.Theywereinformed on the day of the move and were given just 30 minutes or so to pack their belongings, without being told where they were going. This was condemned widely as something that was not right and should not be normalised. Unfortunately we lost our friend Adnan Elbi, in May 2020 in one of those Glasgow hotels. Campaigners and organisations continued to raise concerns about these provisions, however our voices were not listened to. In June 2020, Badreddin Abadlla Adam, who was moved into the hotel at the start of the lockdown, lost his life at the Park Inn Hotel in Glasgow. It was recently reported that he had contacted the Home Office, the housing and social care provider Mears as well as the charity Migrant Help 72 times in the run up to the incident. These calls were once again ignored. At the moment, people are now in hotel detention across the country. It’s a method which should not be normalised; a process which takes away people’s dignity and freedom.

THE

By Pınar Aksu

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Now that the Nationality and Borders Bill has been passed by the UK Parliament, we are witnessing one of the most inhumane proposals on immigration. Key aspects of the anti-refugee bill include creating offshore asylum processing centres, criminalising people when they arrive in the UK by boat, taking citizenship away from people without notice, restricting family reunification, and creating a two tier refugee system. The bill is condemned widely by third sector organisations as well as many politicians, lawyers, UNHCR, people with lived experience and grassroots groups. It will be a direct violation to human rights and the UN Refugee Convention, as well as international protection mechanisms. The bill will not be fair and it will sow direct division among communities, especially with the plan to create offshore detention in Rwanda. This proposal will enable people being sent to Rwanda while asylum claims are being processed and, once granted status, to stay in Rwanda.Although the House of Lords have added amendments such as ending offshore detention and providing the right to work for people in the asylum process, the House of Commons have been rejecting these amendments.Now,theping-pong process has ended and the bill passed, we all need to be ready to continue opposing the bill. We need to remind everyone that the bill is divisive, inhumane NATIONALITY AND BORDERS BILL infoon the FestivalofseeResistance,page48 Street photo by Simon Murphy 20

THE PANDEMIC AND THE PARK INN HOTEL In April 2021, a friend experienced a dawn raid, in which more than eight immigration officers came to detain the family, causing extreme shock for everyone. Our friend was taken to the hospital for medical needs and was left alone there. As the communities reorganised to raise awareness about what happened, we spoke out about how the practice of dawn raids should never happen anywhere. It is a traumatising experience that leaves people in shock and is condemned by many. Around three weeks later, on 13 May 2021, the dawn raid on Kenmure Street in Pollokshields took place. As the van was about to leave, people came together to stop it happening. Someone lay beneath the van, and others started to gather, chanting: ‘These are our neighbours, let them be, let them free’. With resistance arriving from all across the city, after eight hours, our friends were free! This was community resistance.

DAWN RAID – KENMURE STREET

Community Resistance to an Inhumane Asylum System

This year on 13 and 14 of May, the Festival of Resistance is taking place on Kenmure Street to remember the solidarity which occurred. This solidarity is now needed more than ever, as the asylum system is being used by the UK Government for political gains.

Saber and Shatha got married in 2014, before the ongoing Yemeni Civil War. Little did they know that their future would not go as planned. They both graduated with a degree in IT. However, they both also had hidden talents. Saber is a pianist and composes his own classical music and Shatha is an abstract artist.In late 2015, their neighbour’s house was targeted with an airstrike which left devastating damages to the surrounding houses including Saber and Shatha’s. They were displaced and moved between houses for almost two years. After repairs were done to their home, they were featured in a 2018 documentary as part of a film festival. Saber and Shatha were cyber-bullied and received death threats just because of the film’s poster. This incident affected their art activism and they began seeking a safe place that would allow them to resume their practice away from people’s judgement and harassment. They were both granted a fellowship at The Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities in Edinburgh via the Artist Protection Fund. They moved to Scotland in November 2020. As part of the fellowship, Shatha made a series of paintings depicting Yemeni families and their struggles in Yemen; she called the exhibition the White Canvas. She also won the The John Byrne Award for one of her oil paintings entitled ‘What Is More Painful? Hunger or Fear?’. Saber released his second album ‘Embrace from Edinburgh’ in 2021, drawing on the feelings and inspirations he has experienced since arriving in Scotland. Photos by David Henderson The following stories of four people fleeing persecution to find refuge in Scotland were shared by the Yemeni Scottish Foundation as part of a project they developed for Scotland’s ‘Year of the Stories’.

Mohammed arrived in the UK in January 2020, while Essam stayed in Spain before moving to Belgium in the hope of being reunited with Mohammed. Essam entered the UK in October 2021, after spending 18 months apart. Mohammed has received his refugee status while Essam is still awaiting a decision. They are finally settled in Scotland and feeling safe.

THE STORIES

BEHIND THE FACES

Essam Mohammed& ARABIC ARABIC

Aloqabi Essam and Mohammed are brothers who were born and raised in Sanaa. They both have a passion for breakdancing and were part of one of the first dance-crews in Yemen. In 2013, they participated in Arabs Got Talent in Lebanon. Mohammed was 17 years old while Essam was only 13. When they returned to Yemen after the show, Essam was beaten-up by a group of people who opposed the western idea of breakdance and they called him an infidel. The two brothers continued receivingMohammedthreats.graduated high school in 2014, a few months before the current war started. The brothers stopped publicly performing to avoid getting attention, receiving more threats, or getting harmed. In late 2017, Essam disappeared and his family did not know anything about what had happened to him for three days. They finally found out that he was being detained at a police station simply because of what he was wearing; skinny jeans which was seen as westernised and feminine. Essam was detained there for a month where he was subject to physical and psychological assault. After bribing the officials to release Essam, the brothers only had one choice; to leave the country. The journey began by crossing several countries to reach Spain. There, they received the devastating news that their father was killed on the frontline. After staying there for a while, Mohammed left as he was being discriminated against. The brothers went their separate ways.

Altowai&BamatrafSaberShatha

It was in this climate of radicalisation that normally peaceful Queen’s Park became a battleground between British fascists and theirTheopponents.British Union of Fascists (BUF) was founded in 1932 by Oswald Moseley, a charismatic aristocrat who emulated Mussolini in Italy and Hitler in Germany. Its members wore black shirts and used political violence to disrupt left wing opponents. As the ‘30s progressed, the BUF grew closer to Nazi Germany and became increasingly racist, antisemitic and violent. At its peak, it claimed 50,000 members across the UK. In Glasgow, the party received establishment backing from the likes of Patrick Boyle, the 8th Earl of Glasgow, and recruited street thugs through Billy Fullerton, a notorious anti-Catholic gangster in the city’s Bridgeton area. But the organisation remained weak in ‘Red Clydeside’. Its largest hub of support in Scotland was in the rural borders, where it attracted businessmen frustrated by the failing economy. The surge in party membership coincided with the rising politicisation of society. After the great depression, unemployment and poverty soared. Many workers responded with demands against the rich and powerful, who in turn sought allies from the fascists. But as Hitler increasingly threatened war in Europe the BUF began to lose establishment support. In desperation, Mosley drove local chapters into more provocative and confrontational action – especially targeting JewishThecommunities.GlasgowBUF chapter was part of this drive. It had suffered years of constant harassment by an alliance of socialist, trade unionist and Jewish radicals. Every activity by the party was disrupted by groups of young workers, motivated by a fear of the rising tide of European fascism. These efforts had kept the BUF small and isolated in Glasgow, where there were only around 100 members. Determined to raise their profile, the Glasgow branch invited one of the BUF’s most notorious and fiery speakers – William Joyce. He was a leading figure in driving the party in an ever more antisemitic direction. Most of Glasgow’s thousands of Jews lived in the Gorbals area, north of Govanhill which also had a smaller Jewish community. These

DEFEATED DEFEATED populations were swelling as Jewish refugees fled into the city from Nazi Germany. This is probably why the BUF chose Govanhill as an area for agitation. They hoped to sow division where communities were mixed, and incite violence against Jewish people. When Joyce came to speak at the gates of Queen’s Park, he found his blackshirts outnumbered by young communists, trade unionists and members of a remarkable organisation called the Workers’ Circle –groups of young working class Jews who organised cultural events alongside trade unionism and political action. Professor Henry Maitles, a Scottish historian who interviewed surviving participants of Glasgow’s thriving ‘30s antifascist movement, tells of how one protester, Monty Berkeley, destroyed the stage set up for Joyce by removing the legs. He then had to make a run for it, being chased by the police –but got away. The years following the confrontation in Queen’s Park vindicated the stand of the anti-fascists. Some of them were veterans of the fight for the Spanish Republic, besieged by a fascist-aligned military coup supported by Italy and Germany. They would go on to provide aid for Spain’s underground and refugees. As they engaged in this solidarity, the aristocrats and press barons who had initially backed Mosley’s blackshirts continued to push for peace with the fascist powers. Disillusioned by the failure of the BUF to break resistance in Britain, Joyce placed his faith in a victory for Hitler. When the second world war broke out, he moved to Germany and began broadcasting propaganda for the regime, specifically for the British public. He was hanged for treason at the war’s end. Govanhill held on through six grim years of war. Though it escaped the worst of the bombing raids in Scotland, which mostly targeted industry in the Clyde area, it was hit by incendiary bombs. Residents built shelters, and survived rationing and war labour at home while many of the area’s young men were sent to fight abroad. Today, the fight against hate by residents of Govanhill and Glasgow is a powerful reminder of the need to protect our diverse communities through unity in action.

PAST 22

When Govanhill

Y ou may have noticed that the gates of Queen’s Park, facing Victoria road, are something of a soapbox. Political messages on a range of issues are frequently plastered across them. It’s the starting point of marches and the site of vigils about everything from climate change to misogyny, police brutality to council cuts. This isn’t a new function. In the 1930s, as an economic crisis multiplied Glasgow’s unemployment levels and war threatened, the foot of the park became Scotland’s answer to speakers’ corner. Preachers, politicos and orators every description could be found offering their solutions.

Hate Hate

By David Jamieson Photos by Rhiannon J Davies

Aye CIC 23

For more on the history, pick up a copy of 99 Calder Street: A History of Govanhill Baths and Washhouse by historian, Bruce Downie. Available to purchase govanhillbaths.comfrom

PRESENT

GOVANHILL BATHS Past, present and future All photos

‘Thelane.Steamie’ was attached to the back of Calder Street baths in Kingarth Street. It was a very busy place, with women bringing huge bags of laundry to be washed in large tubs/basins. This was a woman’s domain in those days, and no man would dare to enter without good reason, as the place would fall deathly silent and all heads would turn in their direction. Those stares could put the fear of God into any man.

Some weekends in the 1960s, my parents would take us to have a splash about in the big mixed pool. It was a noisy and busy space, with adults and children running around the rim of the pool, diving or jumping in. I couldn’t swim but I could doggy paddle for Britain in the shallow end. As I got older, I would progress to using bright orange coloured water wings, venturing further up towards the deep end. It could be very perilous, as you dodged all these different swimmers diving in or heading down the fast

The steamie was across the road and a block away so, it wasn’t too far for me to walk alongside the pram. Inside I would scramble onto a chair, along the back wall of the building and I would play quietly until my mum had finished doing her washing. If one of us children became too boisterous, we would be picked up and put into one of the empty steel sinks until we had calmed down It was very hot inside the building, with steam billowing all around. There was a large machine with heavy turning rollers, which the women would push the sheets through. They’d come out the other side, crease free and ready for two women to fold into squares. All the while, the women would be talking away about their lives, families, problems and more importantly catching up on the gossip. With the sheets folded and put neatly back on the pram, we would head off home. By David DorenThe Pastby Becky Duncan of Open

W hen I was a boy, the Calder Street Baths (later known as Govanhill Baths) had a large mixed bathing pool, a women and infants pool, and a small private pool which was rented out for parties and used as a training pool. There was also a Turkish baths with a steam room and sauna which were predominantly used by men. Many tenement homes were still without an inside bathroom so, people from surrounding areas would come here to make use of the baths and showers.

I remember my mother putting our clothes into pillowcases, and larger items onto a bedsheet, then tying a knot with all four corners. These impromptu laundry bags would be taken downstairs from our third floor flat and put on top of my pram, which was kept in the close.

The Present PRESENT 24

T he Govanhill Baths project is big. The physical footprint of the building is big in relation to the streets around it. But the actual development is big, too. A multi-million pound renovation project, painstakingly preserving original stonework and motifs whilst installing a state of the art community facility. But, I think, bigger than both of these, is the movement behind the project. The Govanhill Baths Community Trust is a collection of grassroots campaigners, thinkers, doers and makers, coalesced around this amazing space. They are, quite literally, shifting the ground, raising the roof and rebuilding a hub fit for their locale. When Community Land Scotland asked me to take photos of Govanhill Baths in 2021, I was delighted. When Govanhill Baths asked me to document their development regularly I was honoured. I feel it's a privilege to be in the building, witnessing its changes, capturing the altering scenes and responding to the visual memories of 100 years of There’shistory.theiconic red and white of the main pool, currently housing green sludge, theatre scenery and a crumbling mezzanine. The changing room walls still have poetry on them. Graffiti tells tales of love, lust, music, politics, religion and race. There’s old wood and retro wallpaper at the back of the steamie. Desolate machines in the basement, with soggy bouncy floors and rats nests behind blue doors. There's obvious changes: a new roof here, a skylight there, sunshine and shadows making new marks on old raised bobble tiled floors. Upstairs, where the slipper baths were once cemented into place, neat piles of rubble are topped with pick axes. A ladder rises out of the solitary bathtub in the corner. I am regularly shown round the site by Tam, a builder who knows every corner and all that goes on. Tam is local too & still lives in Govanhill. He tells me he looks forward to his grandchildren using the baths, like he used to. When the baths are done he says he will retire. Tam’s last work project is quite the legacy. By Becky Duncan, photographer for the baths development

PRESENT 25

The Future PRESENT 26

United We Will Swim!

W e are so excited to be able to welcome the community into the baths again. The reopened building will have two swimming pools, a gym, Turkish suite, dance studio, community kitchen/cafe, and much more. Our amazing wellbeing programme and People’s Pantry will also find permanent homes inside the building. All of these facilities were chosen by the local community, reflecting the fact that the baths wouldn’t have survived without the commitment and energy of the people of Govanhill. In addition to all this, we have commissioned a range of permanent art installations from both world-famous and local artists, commemorating the importance of art in the occupation of the baths, and ensuring that local people have access to top-quality artwork for generations to come. We will be employing as many staff as possible from the local area, ensuring that all information is presented in multiple languages, and providing communityspecific events and facilities. For example, we are extremely excited to launch both women-only and LGBT+ only swimming sessions, which are really in-demand locally. The baths will be back at the heart of the community, as they have been since 1917.Finally, we wouldn’t be Govanhill Baths without our amazing history. The reopened building will have a permanent place for our archive, as well as an arts and exhibition space. People will be able to come and visit, learning more about the history of their community whilst also sharing their own stories of this amazing place. We hope you are as excited as we are to get inside the baths again.

By Katherine Midgley, heritage learning programme coordinator, Govanhill Baths Community Trust

When Joan Baez and Bob Dylan were the only voices that could be heard from my bedroom, my aunt brought me a gift, a family heritage that no one else would otherwise wear again. Almost two centuries old, the blouse travelled through different corners of the world, telling her story, learning about other identities, today finding coloured patterns in a Govanhill corner where our voices echo as one.

The mural, which sits just off South Annandale Street on the side wall of A Gray Motors depicts the neighbourhood’s name in graphic lettering; each letter completed by a distinct pattern. The letters are surrounded by the colourful flowers of spring that seem to bask in the clear blue skies of Govanhill in Govanhillspringtime.

Eight public sessions, each one made accessible for different groups in the community, brought people together to share stories, memories, and ideas to help shape the project.

HOW THE PROJECT CAME TOGETHER HOW THE PROJECT CAME TOGETHER 27

By Jack Howse Photos by Audrey Bizouerne

By Maria Marchidanu, whose inherited blouse inspired the letter ‘O’

Almost two centuries ago, a traditional Romanian blouse was twirling at dances, waving dreamily at the fruit market, waiting patiently by the windowsill during the night. White, black, and blue, the blouse spoke of Muntenia, a southern corner of Romania where the colours shaped one part of my family’s story. For a century or so, the blouse slept a long and wistful sleep, dreaming of a time when she might go to other dances and other fruit markets.

From Middle Eastern tiles to a Romanian blouse and from Scottish tartan to tenement tiles; each letter of the new Govanhill mural features a pattern found by the local community, in celebration of its diversity.

Open Museum is a collaboration on heritage between some of the many community-led groups in Govanhill, including Govanhill Community Development Trust and Govanhill Housing Association. They came together to create a museum throughout the neighbourhood including a trail that lines the streets of Govanhill.

Speaking about the mural, Marzanna Antoniak and Marion Eele, project coordinators said: “The aim of this project is to bring Govanhill’s unique built and cultural heritage out onto the streets where everyone can share in it and take pride in our vibrant neighbourhood. We will also be collaborating with residents who live at the locations of the artworks to continue improving their areas, taking it towards further regeneration of their little patches of Govanhill. Designed by locals, the first mural has turned out to be a cheerful representation of the many cultures of Govanhill and we hope that there will be lots of selfies taken by proud residents and visitors alike.”The S. Annandale Street mural is the first of two murals coming to Govanhill this spring as part of the project’s pilot phase.

PRESENT

Influenced by South Asian clothing and designs contributed for the mural by a resident from Sri Lanka. Similar motifs can also be seen in tenement tiles. The six-petal flowers also resemble the windows of Trinity Church on Daisy Street.

A box which belonged to the grandmother of a Govanhill resident, features a traditional Polish pattern of pansies. Wild flowers such as these can be seen in traditional designs across Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, and nearby countries. Wycinanka, or cutout paper art, as seen in the letter N, is a traditional craft in parts of Poland. The celtic knot is an ancient design found across Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall and further afield. The Claddagh, as seen in the stained glass Irish Diversity Window at Govanhill Library, is one of Ireland’s most recognised and precious images, symbolising the purity of a cherished relationship. Kente (also known as nwetoma, kete or chinchini) is a Ghanaian textile, made of handwoven cloth, strips of silk and cotton. Historically the fabric was worn by royalty. Similar designs can be seen in other types of weaving from around the world, including Central and Far East Asia, and South America.

A popular Romanian embroidery motif, as featured on an almost 200-year old blouse brought to Govanhill from Transylvania.

PRESENT 28

Scottish tartan pattern from the kilt of a member of a traditional bagpipe and drumming band who lives in Govanhill.

This leopard print design was submitted by a Roma lady from Govanhill, and it is certainly common in local street fashion. This is the stained glass design above the door of Langside Synagogue on Niddrie Road. A member of the Jewish community in Govanhill highlighted its importance, especially given the recent campaign to have the building listed.

WHERE DO THE PATTERNS OF THE GOVANHILL MURAL COME FROM? WHERE DO THE PATTERNS OF THE GOVANHILL MURAL COME FROM?

This Middle Eastern design (especially popular in Iran, Turkey, and many Arab countries) can be spotted at numerous locations around Govanhill, including mosques and shops, as well as residents’ homes. Govanhill Baths also used to have a Turkish baths suite, where similar tiles would have been seen.

PRESENT 29

In the 26 years I have lived in Govanhill, I have seen a growth in café culture in the area. It’s something it has really become known for lately. Some cafés have been around so long you can’t imagine the neighbourhood without them. Others have more of a more short-lived presence. The range and variety of establishments represent the diversity of the area. Drinking in these cafes makes me feel part of this wonderful community and although I often frequent them with my partner Suzanne, I enjoy chatting with the owners and just watching the buzz around them as people come and go. And of course I love the coffee and the other drinks on offer. In this article, I wanted to take you on a meander through some of my favourites, stopping for a cuppa or two along the way. 30

Opposite Locavore on Victoria Road, you’ll find Cake & Make (previously called Coffee Patisserie). It has a diverse clientele and, although primarily a cake shop, it doubles as a café. It is very inexpensive for tea, coffee, and excellent paninis with fresh salad. But I recommend the carrot cake!

A couple of doors up from the Bluebird Café is a more recent opening, Canary Girl. The name comes from proprietor Robbie’s grandmother, who worked in a munitions factory, where, like others, her skin turned yellow as a result of working with TNT.

PRESENT

One of the oldest cafes in Govanhill is the Bluebird Café on Cathcart Road. It has been run by Dino and Mirella for 40 years and, before that, by Mirella’s Italian parents. They still sell sweets from big jars and cater for regular clients with filled rolls, tea, coffee, and hot chocolate – my tipple of choice – and, of course, ice-cream.

A By Rose O’Doherty Cafe illustrations by Fiona Gibson Community

A little further north on the same street is an even newer arrival. MacChai has friendly staff and sells delicious Pakistani street food – I particularly like the smashed samosa – as well as spiced chai, coffee and a good range of desserts and ice-cream. As expected, we found it open on Christmas Day and had our dessert there after a walk following our ChristmasWalkingdinner.down Calder Street to Victoria Road, we come to Locavore. This social enterprise is actually a food store focussing on organic and local produce. But there’s also a café, usually with tables outside, where I’ve enjoyed an espresso or two in good weather.

Robbie originally started out roasting coffee beans in his flat and selling to cafés and other outlets. He has continued to roast his own coffee beans in Canary Girl, selling beans and ground coffee from the café or online. Now he concentrates on providing excellent coffee, teas, lattes and juices, and the most wonderful pastries. Small but beautifully formed, Canary Girl does a roaring takeaway trade. This kept Robbie going during the various lockdowns.

Just off Victoria Road on Bowman Street is Bee’s Knees, which has just emerged from behind some inconvenient scaffolding. It is a charming café run by Anna who is originally from Poland. She serves lovely teas – Rooibos Custard is one of my favourites – as well as coffee and a selection of crepes, dumplings, and beautiful cakes. Bee’s Knees has a lovely friendly atmosphere, mismatched furniture and can be hired for community events or private parties too. Last but not least, is Transylvania Coffee and Shop which opened during the pandemic. I discovered it on one of our walks to Queen’s Park. It sells a range of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as tinned goods and chutneys from Romania and Eastern Europe. It has tables outside and serves excellent coffee, teas and a range of Romanian pastries and cakes. A real newcomer to the area, it is worth a visit on a fine day. This is by no means all that Govanhill has to offer. These are just a few of my favourites that showcase the wonderful diversity of this neighbourhood in the different foods that they sell and people that run them. I apologise for any cafés in Govanhill I’ve left out, but that just means I’ve more to explore, which I always look forward to!

Many of these establishments have been struggling through difficult years of the pandemic, so give them a try. You won’t be disappointed.

Folklore has it that coffee was discovered in present-day Ethiopia when a shepherd boy noticed his goats ‘prancing’ after eating berries from a wild bush. From there it spread through Arabia as merchants traded their goods. It arrived in Europe around the 1500s. Coffee houses started to emerge in England, later spreading to Scotland. They were frequented by men only and became places where discussions were held, and trade deals made. In recent years, climate change has affected coffee production. The depressing forecast is that, by 2050, many coffee-producing areas will cease to exist, and the lives of small coffee-growers will be endangered. A failure to act now will cause 75 percent of coffee-growing areas to disappear, resulting in shortages and higher costs. Aim to drink carbon neutral coffee, as much as possible. For more info, check out A Short History of Coffee by Gordon Kerry –I found it a fascinating read.

A Short History of Coffee 31

Open Mic Bee’s Kneesat Lucy Zax and Liz 32

Eachbegins.person who wishes to, gets their chance to sing, recite, dance, play or perform up to three pieces. Anyone can perform. No one is excluded. It is what makes this open mic so special. It is a gathering of people from different cultures and backgrounds who want to spend time together and share their art. Each performer is welcomed to the stage with a smile from the hostess and a round of applause from the audience. The vibe is friendly. You can tell that some players come Words, photos & translation by Ania Marchwiak here regularly. Liz Walshaw, who moved to Glasgow from Manchester, says: “I never know what to expect when I go to the Bee’s Knees open mic but I always know I’m in for a treat”. Barry Noakes, a local folk and country musician, started coming to the café in autumn last year and now not only he comes regularly but also helps with the technical side of the gig. During the breaks, everyone mingles together. Smiles and words are exchanged across the tables.

THE SOUNDS OF GOVANHILL: I t’s Friday evening and as you walk down Victoria Road from Queen’s Park you see a bright light twinkling on Bowman Street. It’s the Bee’s Knees cafe, a hidden gem of Govanhill. It’s clear something is happening inside. Every time the door opens, a burst of music escapes out into the ether. It is enough to lure you in.

Friendships are born. The owner of the café, Anna Strzałkowska, also does her rounds greeting familiar and new faces. “It is a privilege to share this space with so many talented people,” she says. “I am always grateful for every single soul that comes to these evenings. I can never be sure what is going to happen or who is going to come. In the past, we even had surprise visits from musicians from Ireland and Belgium. I also love the variety of instruments you can hear during those evenings. It’s never just a guitar, we often get musicians who play banjo, fiddle, harp, mandolin, saxophone, electric piano and once we even had a woman who played with two cups! It’s always an adventure.”

PRESENT with their guitars. We hear familiar tunes that will never be played in the same way again.

Anyone who walks in the door is greeted with a smile and asked if they are performing tonight. Some people are sitting around the tables, some are standing and others are gathered at the back. The main room is filled with musicians and their instruments, and of course, the audience. The smell of fresh coffee and cake fills the air and pots of tea are flying around the room. The stage where the artists will perform is being prepared; stands are being adjusted, guitars tuned and microphones tested. The place is buzzing when suddenly a horn sounds; an announcement. “Good evening and thanks for coming to our open mic”. So the evening

Bee’s Knees Open Mic takes place once a month and the event is always announced on the Bee’s Knees cafe social media.

After the break, Adnan Shamdin steps up. It seems that everyone knows him and he gets a big round of applause before he even starts playing the oud. Suddenly, we are taken out of the café with the magical sounds of Kurdish music. “Bee’s Knees Café has a very special place in my heart,” says Adnan. “It’s like a family home for me. I play in many places across Glasgow but the open mic at Bee’s Knees is the best one”. The evening goes on and the place gets even more full. Hassan Nezamian treats us to the sounds of a santour, the oldest Iranian instrument which has 72 strings. His friend is accompanying him on a drum called a daf. Some of the musicians start to mix, forming duets or even full bands. There is Edwin playing the banjo with Barry accompanying him on the fiddle. Iain and Daniel join them

The amount of talent the people of Govanhill have at their doorstep is astonishing. We also get to hear Lucy who plays the harp and sings in a very distinguishable voice. Someone from the audience shouts that it is “purely angelic”.

The last musician of the night is Zax who plays guitar. He makes up words for his songs, as he strums some of the best blues notes this side of the There’sClyde.nobetter way to spend a Friday night.

Piątek wieczór. Idąc z parku Queen’s Park w dół ulicy Victoria Road, można dostrzec jasne, migoczące światło dochodzące z Bowman Street. To kawiarnia Bee’s Knees — perełka Govanhill. Widać, że w środku coś się dzieje. Za każdym razem, kiedy otwierają się drzwi, ucieka z nich muzyka wędrująca w nocne niebo. To wystarczy, żeby dać się skusić na wejście do Wszyscyśrodka.wchodzący do kawiarni witani są uśmiechem i pytaniem o ewentualny występ tego wieczoru. W środku niektórzy siedzą wokół stolików, inni stoją, a jeszcze inni gromadzą się z tyłu kawiarni. Główne pomieszczenie wypełnione jest muzykami i ich instrumentami, no i oczywiście nie brakuje także publiczności. Zapach świeżej kawy i ciasta unosi się w powietrzu, a dzbanki herbaty fruwają po pomieszczeniu niczym latające spodki. Przygotowywana jest także scena, na której odbywać się będą występy — prowadzący ustawiają statywy, nastrajają gitary i testują mikrofony. W kawiarni jest jak w ulu! Nagle wszystkich dobiega dźwięk klaksonu. To znak. „Dobry wieczór wszystkim i dzięki, że do nas dziś dołączyliście”. Zaczyna się. Każdy, kto wyrazi chęć, będzie miał okazje zaśpiewać, wyrecytować, zatańczyć, zagrać lub odegrać trzy różne kawałki, czy to własnych, czy wykonywanych w oryginale przez innego artystę. Na scenę może wejść każdy. Wszyscy są mile widziani. To jeden z wielu powodów, dla których to wydarzenie jest tak niesamowite. Zrzesza ludzi różnych kultur i narodowości i pozwala im spędzić razem czas, dzieląc się nawzajem swoją sztuką.Występujący zapraszani są na scenę uśmiechem od prowadzącej i burzą oklasków od publiczności. Atmosfera jest przyjazna. Da się wyczuć, że niektórzy bywają tutaj regularnie. Liz Walshaw, która przeprowadziła się do Glasgow z Manchesteru, komentuje: „Nigdy nie wiem, czego się spodziewać na open micu w Bee’s Knees, ale wiem, że zawsze wydarzy się coś ciekawego”. Barry Noakes, grający muzykę z pogranicza folku i country, zaczął przychodzić do kawiarni zeszłej jesieni, a teraz, oprócz bycia stałym bywalcem, pomaga również przy technicznej stronie wieczoru.Podczas przerw wszyscy wstają z miejsc, wędrują po kawiarni i rozmawiają z resztą widowni. Tworzą się przyjaźnie. Widać też właścicielkę kawiarni, Annę Strzałkowską, witającą się ze znanymi i nowymi twarzami. „To zaszczyt dzielić tę przestrzeń z tyloma utalentowanymi ludźmi,” mówi. „Jestem zawsze niezmiernie wdzięczna za każdą duszę, która przychodzi na nasze wieczory. Każde wydarzenie to niespodzianka, do ostatniej minuty nie wiemy, kto się pojawi lub co się wydarzy. Na poprzednich wieczorach open mic mieliśmy nawet gości z Irlandii i Belgii. Uwielbiam też różnorodność instrumentów muzycznych, które można usłyszeć podczas występów. Rozbrzmiewa nie tylko gitara, ale często pojawiają się banjo, skrzypce, harfa, mandolina, saksofon czy pianino elektryczne. Występowała też u nas kobieta, która wystukiwała rytm na dwóch kubkach! Za każdym razem to innaPoprzygoda!”przerwie na scenę wchodzi Adnan Shamdin. Wygląda na to, że wszyscy go znają, bo witany jest gromkimi brawami, jeszcze zanim wyciągnie ud. Nagle, dzięki dźwiękom kurdyjskiej muzyki z kawiarni przenosimy się w inny świat. „Kawiarnia Bee’s Knees zajmuje specjalnie miejsce w moim sercu,” mówi Adnan. „Jest dla mnie jak dom rodzinny. W ciągu tygodnia grywam w różnych miejscach w Glasgow, ale wieczór open mic w Bee’s Knees nie ma sobie równych”. Wieczór trwa dalej, a kawiarnia wypełnia się jeszcze bardziej. Hassan Nezamian funduje nam niespodziankę w postaci dźwięków najstarszego z irańskich instrumentów muzycznych. Mowa tu o santir, który ma aż 72 struny! Znajoma Hassana akompaniuje mu na dafie, irańskim bębnie obręczowym. Niektórzy z muzyków zaczynają grać między sobą, tworząc duety a nawet całe zespoły. Pojawia się Edwin, który gra na banjo, a na skrzypcach wtóruje mu Barry. Na gitarach dołączają do nich Iain i Daniel. Słuchamy znanych utworów, których nigdy już nikt nie zagra w ten właśnie sposób. To jedyny w swoim rodzaju występ. Govanill może poszczycić się niezmierzoną ilością niesamowitego talentu. Na scenie pojawia się też Lucy, harfistka i posiadaczka bardzo ciekawego głosu. Kiedy schodzi ze sceny, ktoś z publiczności woła, że tak właśnie wyobrażał sobie grające na harfach anioły. Ostatnim muzykiem na scenie tego wieczoru jest Zax. Szarpiąc struny gitary w bluesowym stylu, wymyśla na bieżąco słowa do swoich utworów. Ten piątkowy wieczór był naprawdę fantastyczny. Wieczory open mic w kawiarni Bee’s Knees odbywają się raz w miesiącu. Datę można zawsze znaleźć na profilach mediów społecznościowych kawiarni.

PRESENT

Edwin and Barry Adnan Marek Hassan POLISH 33

PRESENT Nicola Sturgeon

Interview questions by: Anne Flynn, Becki Menzies, Ben Francis, Dylan Lombard, Jack Howse, Kiki Zheng, Maisie Wilson, Rhiannon J Davies, Shanine Gallagher, Zainab Ashraf and Zanib Ahmad.

Photos by: Dylan Lombard and Rhiannon J Davies

Exclusive!

Interview with

In this exclusive interview with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, young people from backgrounds typically under-represented in the media who have been learning journalism skills with Greater Govanhilll, got to ask their burning questions. The interview took place just before the local elections in the First Minister’s constituency office in Govanhill.

There are many other threats to women's rights right now. What's happening in America around abortion rights is horrifying. So I get frustrated that we're focusing on the trans issue, as the big threat to women. Meanwhile, we’re taking our eye off the ball with all these real threats. There is no part of me that believes standing up for trans rights and standing up for women's rights is in any way contradictory or mutually exclusive and I feel really strongly about the need to stand up for that.

Jack Howse: Transgender issues are very much in the media at the moment. Considering there are such polarized opinions around transgender rights, even within your own party, how do you think we can end these culture wars?

AF: You said that acknowledging historic injustices is vital to building a better country, but what would you say to people who argue that miscarriages of justice are mostly swept under the rug?

JH: There are people, even within your party, who might not have the same views as you. How do you combat that?

NS: I think you've got to be a bit careful about talking about historic injustices. I was talking about when classes, or groups of people, are subject to injustice because of who they are. Individual concerns with miscarriages of justice have to be tested in the justice system. We have systems that give people the ability to appeal convictions or go to the criminal cases review commission. We should always be alive to injustice being swept under the carpet. But it's important to distinguish between class injustices and individual cases that need to be dealt with through the proper processes.

The thing that frustrates me about this debate is, I've been a feminist for as long as I can remember and I get very frustrated at the suggestion that standing up for trans rights is somehow denigrating women rights. As long as I've got a breath in my body, I will argue against that. The threats to women in our society come from abusive men. It's on a spectrum from catcalls in the street through to serious assault and murder of women. But it's abusive men who do that. Trying to somehow say that the threats to women come from trans women, is wrong.

women are no longer tried for being witches, but with the abuse that women get on social media and in society generally, and the way in which women in the criminal justice system are often treated and misunderstood, yeah I do think there are still parallels. I think recognising some of the historic aspects of this helps us to feel what we need to do to continue to sort these things out.

Anne Flynn: I wanted to ask about your apology to those tried for witchhood and whether you think there are any parallels with the treatment of women in the criminal justice system today?

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Nicola Sturgeon: I do think there are parallels. One of the reasons why I thought it important to give the apology was to recognise that the treatment of women, and the sexism and misogyny that is still very prevalent today, has really deep historical roots. That’s in addition to the fact that I think it's right that we do recognise historical injustices. If you think about the women who were accused of, tried for, or executed for being witches, it was women who were a bit different or who spoke out or who were deemed to not follow the rules of being a woman back then. Instead of being accepted for who they were, they were castigated as witches. Because they were women, anything they did that set them apart was used against them. And that's still theObviouslyreality.

NS: In terms of my own party, I'm not going to say there are not strong views against the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) and recognising trans rights, but I don't think that's a majority or evenly balanced. Nor do I think that's the case in society. I think we can overstate some of this because there is a very vocal group of people who don't agree with the consensus about the gender recognition reform proposals. I accept that their concerns come from a place of sincerity, while there are others trying to weaponise this debate for reasons of transphobia.Transpeople are probably the most stigmatised and discriminated against group in our society. I think it is right that you recognise the reasons for that stigmatisation and address it. The GRA reform doesn't give a trans person a single extra right they don't have right now. It just makes the process of gender recognition less traumatic, less intrusive and less degrading for people.

NS: I will argue the case. I can't make people take particular views, but as a party, we need to stand very firmly against transphobia, as well as sexism, racism, homophobia. Often there is a judgement and a balance to be struck between that. But people, as we've all got a right to do in a democracy, can express their views and speak out. They're never easy balances, but I hope my party should be judged on what we do. I'm determined we will take the gender recognition reform legislation through the parliament and make that change. All the focus of the debate is on GRA, when actually there's much more we have to do to improve the reality of life for trans people So that's what I'll continue to stand up for. People are entitled to disagree with me, obviously, and I'll argue my case. I support Scotland being an independent country for a lot of reasons. I want Scotland to be on an equal basis to countries all over the world. But for me, it is also about Scotland being a place that is equal and inclusive, where people are respected for who they are, regardless. That's what I want for Scotland now and in the future.

Ben Francis: In a couple of interviews about Ukraine, you said that a no fly zone should be kept on the table, which could lead to escalation in the conflict. Do you still stand by those comments? NS: I stand by what I said, but, what I said, as is very often the case, was slightly misrepresented. I wasn't supporting a no fly zone in particular. What I was saying more generally, was questioning the decision on the part of NATO to be very explicit with Vladimir Putin about what was off the table, which could give him a free hand to think he could do certain things with no consequences. You have people in Ukraine who are fighting a heroic battle against his aggression, but he's somebody that will – and has – used nuclear threats. He's committing war crimes every day right now. And I think, if your starting position with someone like him is to say that no matter what you do, we are not going to take action beyond a certain point, are we not giving him too much of a green light? So that's the point I was trying to make. It wasn't a particular call for a no fly zone.

I get very frustrated at the suggestion that standing up for trans rights is mydenigratingsomehowwomenrights.AslongasI’vegotabreathinbody,Iwillargueagainstthat.

Becki Menzies: The Scottish Government isn’t bringing in rent controls until the end of 2025. Why take so long when we know rents are already too high, and there's not enough good quality housing and tenants’ rights –especially for young people, who have no hope of buying?

NS: People laugh at me when I say this, but I'm naturally a very shy person. I've always had to work really hard to be able to speak in front of audiences. But over the years, I've become a great believer in the fact that no matter how long you do public speaking, you should always feel nervous and you should always prepare. So that sense of never being entirely comfortable is actually quite good, because it means you don't get complacent.

Talking about personal stuff is not something I do as a tactic to make myself seem more human, and if I did it's probably failing. But I suppose, the longer I'm in politics and the older I get, I find it a bit artificial not to talk a little bit about being a person as well as a politician. I don't share everything about my private life. But I do when I think it's relevant to what I do as a politician or, and I don't want to sound arrogant because I'm only one person, when I think sharing some private, personal experiences might help others.

I think because I've got a platform, I've got a bit of a responsibility to do that. Take the menopause, as an example; I’ve been wondering ‘What it’s going to be like in my job? Is it going to be obvious? Am I going to struggle?’. And I suddenly realised there was nobody that had done a job like me before who had given a speech about it I could go and read or listen to. It would help me a lot to hear another female politician talking openly about it. So if I don't have anybody to go to then, thinking about women in politics ten years from now, maybe I can give them someone they can go to. That's what I mean by talking about my own experiences if I can help a little bit. I might have to overcome the discomfort of doing it, but I think it's important to try.

BF: But don't you think that could still be quite a dangerous precedent to set – for countries to be saying that a global war is a potential thing they might engage in?

Kiki Zheng: You recently spoke about the menopause on Loose Women, but clearly weren’t comfortable doing so. Do you find talking about your more private side helps to create a more friendly image? And is that a public speaking technique, or is it something that comes naturally?

BM: One thing people are calling for is a rent freeze. You already see landlords around here putting their rates up since rent controls were put on the table. The way to tackle that now is by putting in place a rent freeze so landlords can't just up the prices to make the most money possible in the next few years.

NS: We need to keep all of these things under review. I don't want to sound as if I'm not Take the menopause, as an example; I’ve been wondering ‘What it’s going to be like in my job? Is it going to be obvious? Am I going to struggle?’.

NS: Rent controls are an important part of what we're doing, but it's not the only thing we need to do. We have to legislate properly, which unfortunately takes time. These things are always potentially subject to challenge and legal challenge. We've got to make sure we get it right so that we can be as sure as possible that it can withstand challenge. What I would say is, both my party and the Greens – it's Patrick Harvie who's in charge of this policy – have no interest in slowing it down without good reason. So if it's taking this length of time, it’s for good reason. We're doing all other stuff along the way. We already made some changes some years ago so that there is a system where local councils can apply for some powers around rent levels in their area. The reason we're going further is most councils state these are not the easiest powers to use, but there are rights there already. We're providing help for people who are struggling with rent just now through a grant fund, an increase in support for discretionary housing payments, and putting a lot of investment into building more houses, because actually it's the supply of houses that we need, to make sure this is good enough for the future. In Govanhill, we're doing a lot with the council and housing associations to tackle rogue landlords, and get properties out of their hands. Rent controls is an important part of it, but it's not the only part.

If Putin gets away with what he’s doing in Ukraine – and hopefully he won’t –he won’t stop there. He’ll go further and threaten the countries on the

Union’sEuropeaneasternborder. PRESENT

NS: Where's the international norm in what Vladamir Putin is doing? The war in Ukraine didn't start however many weeks ago. It started years ago when he annexed Crimea and went in and occupied and caused a war in Eastern Ukraine. If Putin gets away with what he's doing in Ukraine – and hopefully he won't – he won’t stop there. He'll go further and threaten the countries on the European Union's eastern border. Nobody wants this position but if the democratic world puts limits on what it's going to do, it doesn't mean he'll stop. So you end up with an escalating, dangerous situation at the hands of Vladimir Putin.I've spent most of my life in politics when it comes to these kinds of issues opposing illegal wars. I, and my party, were strong opponents of the Iraq war. I absolutely believe that international law and the principles of democracy and sovereignty of countries are really important. But the world cannot stand by and allow someone like Putin to do what he's doing, because he won't stop in Ukraine if he gets away with it.

understanding the case you're making, because I really do. But if you were to go to local housing associations, they would be very cautious of rent freezes because you've got to invest in a property and make sure the house is kept up to standard, and you need an income at a time of rising costs to do that. With private landlords – you get some really bad landlords who exploit tenants, but there's a lot of good private landlords out there as well – you've got to strike a balance between making sure that you've got a supply of quality housing, but that being affordable. That is sometimes quite a difficult balance to strike.

People are moving into the area earning big salaries, Shawlands Arcade is being knocked down to build new flats that will be out of the price range of many people, and at the same time there are high rates of child poverty. How can we narrow this divide?

NS: We have a responsibility to do everything we can. Take child poverty – any level of child poverty is too high in my view – and levels of child poverty are too high in Scotland. For context, they are lower in Scotland because of a lot of the policies of the Scottish Government, than in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We introduced the Scottish Child Payment, which doesn't exist anywhere else in the UK. We just doubled it and will increase it again, which will lift lots of children out of poverty. Research the Child Poverty Action Group recently published showed that the combined effects of Scottish government policies and the low cost of childcare because of the free childcare position we have, will reduce the cost for a low-income family of raising a child in Scotland by 31%, the equivalent of £24,000.Sothatis what we are doing, and we need to continue to do that. A lot of the levers though, to tackle poverty and to reduce the inequality gap, don't lie with us. Most of the decisions around taxes and welfare still lie with London, which is one of the reasons I want Scotland to be independent. In the meantime, we need to put pressure on them to do the work. Unfortunately I'm not hopeful about the outcome.

One of the things I think there's a strong case for is a wealth tax. And there's arguments to be made for windfall taxes on companies and sectors that, either because of the pandemic or the wider cost of living crisis, are making vast profits. I don't have the power to do that. So there is a big limit on what the Scottish Government can do. But with what we can do, I do think we're doing a considerable amount.

NS: I've been a strong supporter of Palestinian rights all the time I've been in politics. The Scottish government is very strongly supportive of a two-state solution and of finding a peace settlement that supports that in Palestine. As a minister, I’ve led debates in the Scottish parliament on this. And we will always be there standing up for Palestinian rights and for that peaceful two state solution, which I think is what the people of Palestine deserve – and have a right to.

ZA: For Ukraine, there have been boycotts and widespread charity initiatives. There is always hesitation to provide that for the people of Palestine. Can you use your powers to encourage that? NS: The Scottish Government continues to support any humanitarian appeals for Palestine as we would for other parts of the world. In terms of boycotts and what international law says about Israeli settlements, we don't support trade with settlements. Equally we don't support a wider boycott of Israel, but we would follow the international law position on that.

NS: I would take welfare, for example. We now have limited social security powers.

NS: We don't have a statutory curriculum in Scotland, we have a sort of curriculum framework; the Curriculum for Excellence. It is all about educating good citizens, not just filling people's hands with facts and figures, important though that is. I would hope that we had an education system that gave young people a wider awareness of the world around them, including around asylum issues. But one of the things that the Tories are doing right now, is trying to stoke a culture war, which is taking shape in a number of different ways on a number of different issues, but asylum and immigration is clearly a key one. So I think it's a fair point. Maybe we need to think more about how we give young people an awareness of why people seek asylum or the obligation of countries to offer sanctuary to people. And also, in a much more basic sense, why it's important for a country to be diverse and open to people who come from other parts of the world, whether they come here to work, get an education, ...over the years, I’ve become a great believer in the fact that no matter how long you do public speaking, you should always feel nervous and you should always prepare.

Shanine Gallagher: I recently went to an event at MILK Cafe where they were discussing the hostile environment policy and the asylum process. It got me wondering why these big topics were never really covered in school, and if anything was being done to improve that?

PRESENT

MW: If you had the power, what else would you prioritise to try and narrow that gap?

Maisie Wilson: The Southside of Glasgow is an example of the growing inequality in Scottish society.

If we had the powers, we could better integrate benefit and tax systems so that they work together – things like a basic income, which we are trying to move ahead as far as we can to something like a minimum income guarantee. But I think there's a strong case for a citizen’s basic income. We can't do that right now, because we don't control all of the tax and welfare systems.

Zainab Ashraf: What support is the Scottish Government extending to the people of Palestine who are still suffering under brutal occupation and an Amnesty International-recognized apartheid regime?

There's 12 different benefits now under our control. I think seven of them don't exist anywhere else in the UK. So we've created entirely new forms of support. If we had control over the whole welfare system, we could do that to a greater extent. The benefits my government controls have gone up by 6 percent this year, while the benefits UK Government controls have gone up 3.1 percent.

JH: How has Govanhill changed since you’ve been the constituency MSP, and what do you see for the future of the NS:neighbourhood?

Zanib Ahmad: What's it like to be a woman in politics today, with the attention and misogyny you face and the glare you constantly under?

PRESENT or seek asylum. Scotland's a better place for being diverse, I think it could be more diverse in many ways. But we actually need people to come to this country to make a contribution, because we don't have enough people to do all the jobs required. So there's a self interest in all of this as well. I hate the whole debate about immigration in the UK. I think that it's slightly better in Scotland, but we shouldn't be complacent. But I absolutely abhor the Tory approach to immigration. And that policy of sending people to Rwanda is one of the most disgusting things that I think I've ever heard.

NS: One of the things I'm conscious of is that I've been in politics for so long, I've become a bit inured to some of this. Sometimes, I see it more starkly through the eyes of younger women. It's harder for women in politics today than it was when I was starting out. Some things are better – there are more of us, there is more of a focus on equality and diversity, but in my earlier days, there wasn’t social media. All the unpleasant people who hurl abuse through social media were there, they just didn't have the platform or the access to do it. And it is really toxic, for people generally, but particularly for women and ethnic minorities, as well as for disabled and LGBT+ people. I think that makes politics and public life generally much more difficult. I know women have more questions about getting into politics now. We've got lots to do to make sure it doesn't go in the wrong direction.

RD: In terms of this social media, that is any more than the Scottish Government could do about regulating big tech? NS: We don't have regulatory powers there, but I do think that is a big need for greater regulation. I'm always hesitant to talk about media regulation because a free media is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. But with social media, you don't have the same checks and balances that exist with traditional media. So, you have a situation where a lie gets put out there with the same force and the same status as the truth and you get to a point where nobody can distinguish between the two. That really erodes and undermines democracy. The companies themselves should be taking more responsibility. But I think we need to see a regulatory framework that reduces abuse, but also a public discourse where people can distinguish between lies and the truth. We can accept that we can all disagree, but we should have a basic accepted idea of what's true and what's not.

...that policy of sending people to Rwanda is one of the most disgusting things that I think I’ve ever heard.

Coming from a Tory government, that is a big statement.

Coming from a Tory government, that is a big statement.

NS: We don't have to accept toxic abuse. Even in the position I'm in, I don't have to accept somebody hurling rape threats or misogynistic abuse at me. What I meant is, I have to accept, whether I like it or not, if – not that I would be stupid enough to do this obviously – but if I was to walk into a barbershop while it was still the law to wear masks and momentarily forget to put my mask on, then I may think it is a bit disproportionate to get splattered across all the front pages. But I have to accept that because that's the scrutiny that comes with my job. I might think that's ridiculous, but I accept that bit because it'sWedemocracy.shouldn't accept the abuse and the toxicity of social media. That's the bit we do have to push back against, or we will have a situation where women and others won’t want to do this anymore. In this council election campaign – I think all parties would say this, but I can only speak for mine – we found it more difficult than we have done, certainly in all my time, to get women to stand to be candidates. That should really make us all stop and think that this is not going in the right direction.

I've been MSP for Govanhill since 2011, and certainly over the last five years, I defy anyone to come to Govanhill and not see progress. There's still a lot to be done in terms of housing, cleansing, and some law and order issues. I accept all of that, but take a walk down Victoria Road and, the diversity in Govanhill, the sense of vibrancy around the businesses that are here and setting up, I think it's absolutely on the right track. In terms of the future, look at Govanhill and you see the future is already taking shape before our eyes. The next issueof the magazine willbe produced by theGovanhill Young Voicesteam featuring storieson issues passionatethey’reabout.

NS: Not getting caught without my mask! No, the thing I looked forward to most when the restrictions were at their tightest is what I've been enjoying most now – just interacting with people again. How long has it been since we've been able to do just this – have a number of people sitting in one room together. Like most people, I really miss seeing my mum and dad, as well as my sister and niece and nephews and my pals. So I'm just enjoying getting used to seeing people again and not having to think about it. I'm sure we all just want to forget about the pandemic as soon as we can, but there are some things we should try never to completely take for granted again, and being able to see people you care about when you want is one of them.

Rhiannon Davies: Do we have to accept that there isn’t anything that can be done to reduce the level of abuse?

I think Govanhill is firmly on the right track. There are big issues in Govanhill. They're not unique to Govanhill, despite the efforts of people to say that they are. Some of them are maybe more acute in Govanhill than they are in some other areas. It's not about denying issues in Govanhill, but I hate the narrative about Govanhill. I also hate the fact that there are a lot of people who try to use Govanhill to get at me. They can get at me if they want, but they shouldn't denigrate Govanhill to do it. There's a lot of racists who have probably never been in Govanhill who try to use Govanhill to peddle their own hate.

Dylan Lombard: Now that the COVID restrictions have eased, what are you looking forward to?

I always preface this by saying my job is a privilege and being a politician is not compulsory, it's voluntary. Nobody makes you do it and you have to accept the tough bits as well as all of the good bits. But there's no doubt that living your life under perpetual scrutiny takes its toll. And there are days where I think I can't do this anymore. I just can't wait to shut the door and hide away. So it is difficult sometimes, but I have to accept that.

Dee was inspired to put on a festival after reading IllFeelings by Alice Hattrick. Described as a genrebending ‘defiant exploration of life with a medically unexplained illness’, she says the book validated all the things she thought she had been going crazy with. Dee hopes the festival will be a space to share the collective experiences of those affected, carers and people who want to know more.

Photo by Alexander Hoyles and clay work. There will also be mindfulness and movement sessions and foraging walks to make herbalist healing potions.

“I was cycling to work after a gorgeous holiday in Portugal when a taxi driver mowed me over. I landed on my neck and thought I’d broken it. The pain began to spread and got worse and worse. For four years, I was literally bed-bound.”

By Rhiannon J Davies

In the UK, one in five people suffer from an invisible illness, a number which is set to rise with long Covid. Common invisible illnesses include arthritis, digestive disorders, migraines, lupus, lyme disease, multiple sclerosis, depression and mental illness. Despite so many people experiencing these conditions, there is still very little public understanding and awareness and many feel stigmatised as a result. Set the Seen festival will be held in the Queen’s Park arena on the 28 May from 10am-10pm. There will be a variety of workshops looking at how to develop healthy coping strategies, create awareness around invisible illnesses, foster a sense of inclusion and develop connections within the local community. They will include creative writing workshops, visual journaling

As well as more serious stuff, Dee says to "expect some frank talking and potential hilarity" in a series of conversations on the couch.As well as a photography exhibition and panel discussions, the festival will close with a concert by the Nevis Ensemble, Scotland’s twenty-piece street orchestra. Through music, it will explore the difficult reality of living with an invisible illness, as well as what it means to overcome barriers; the struggle and the strength to doAllthat.public events at Queen’s Park Arena will be livestreamed and there will be an online forum throughout the festival so that everyone who wishes to participate has the chance, even if they are unable to be physically present.

Before the accident, Dee Clark was a marathon runner who used to DJ and put on events – a selfconfessed party girl who was always out and about, with her finger in a lot of pies. For years she experienced the pain without any awareness of why it was so persistent. It was only when she started to come out in bruising without having any accidents that finally led to a diagnosis of the long term condition, fibromyalgia.Describing her symptoms, Dee says: “It’s a complete assault on your body. You can’t sleep. Your nervous systems are in constant fight or flight mode. You get anxiety because of that, even when there’s nothing wrong. Then there’s the fatigue. I don't think there’s a word in the English language that’s able to articulate this. It’s like dragging a double decker bus through rush hour. You feel so heavy. And you get this brain fog. I’ve been sat with friends I’ve known for 20 years and not been able to remember their names.”

PRESENT

intoInvisibleBringingIllnesstheSpotlight

To find out moreor get @settheseenqpacheckinvolved,outonInstagram

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Make Room for the Muse

Arkbound is a publishing social enterprise based in Bristol and Glasgow. Our aim is to support authors from disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds to get their voices heard, especially for writing that covers important social and environmental themes. The Arkbound Foundation furthers this through workshops, events and mentoring. Typically, the Power of the Pen project was dedicated to reaching out to individuals in Scotland who had found their mental health exacerbated by the social isolation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The aim of this project was to help individuals tackle these issues and create a new sense of community through a series of creative writing workshops. Some of the participants agreed to share some pieces of the works they produced during the program with Greater Govanhill:

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The Archivist Lucrezia Gaion

The scent of old books made him feel at ease every time he walked in the archive. Paul took a seat at the table where the old tome lay on a cushion, weights keeping the pages open just as he’d left it. He started to work on it, careful with its brittle edges. With precision and care he sponged away the dust, caressing each page with circular motions.

More information: www.arkbound.com Donate: www.arkfound.org/donate.php Questions: matisse@arkfound.org 40

[…]

Paul ran a hand through his greying hair. He had worked at the archives for all his adult life. Colleagues had come and gone, but he’d stayed. He still remembered his first day as a graduate student intern. A little thinner then, his hair jet black. He polished yet another page and turned it. Something slid off of it onto the table. The paper was thick and yellowed. He turned it and took an in-breath. It was a photograph. A photograph of his parents. His mom was smiling at the camera, his dad kissing her on her hair. His vision blurred. He ran a finger down the photo. What was it doing there? A date was scribbled on its edge. 2 September 1987. Two days before they were killed. A loud buzz in his ears drowned out the silence. His breath became shallow. A photo he had no idea existed had been left inside an ancient tome in the archives. He had to go to the police. *** The room smelt stale. It was bare, with whitewashed walls. A table and two chairs were the only ‘Please,furniture.takeaseat,’ said DCI Ada Smith. Her face was pale with dark circles under her eyes. ‘Coffee?’ Asked DC John Brown. He was in his mid-forties. ‘Please.’ Paul sat at the edge of his seat. Thinking back to bringing the photo into the police station, he wondered if he’s done the right thing, putting it in a plastic bag wearing gloves. He’d seen it done in films. Smith handed him a mug of black coffee. He took a sip. The recorder started. ‘These are DCI Smith and DC Brown. In the room is Paul Giglio. Paul, I want you to tell me again where you found the photo. Talk me through what happened.’ He dried his palms on his trousers. ‘I was at the archive. I’m a conservator. I was working on this tome when the photo slipped out. I turned it and there they were. My parents two days before being killed. Now, if you don’t mind…’ he made to get up. ‘Please.’ Smith raised a hand. ‘Sit down.’ He did. ‘I don’t think you understand the severity of the situation, Paul. You’ve found a piece of evidence that is key in solving a closed murder case.’

Lesley O’Brien Make room for the muse to enter your space cup the grace of her whispers feel her breath on your face she’s in the twist and the twirl of a girl crossing the street the sway of a crow murmuration as twilight ubiquitouscreepsshesits awaiting arouse from your slumber tranquilised by pills and city life thunder the purr of the engine the ping of your phone the canned laughter game shows that suck you into your sofa as soon as you get home she has the patience of a saint she knows you’ll come to your senses

It’s simple she says, Choose: touch, taste, sight, smell, sound I’m around the next corner with breath foundtojustconsequencestakingwaitingbe

Power of the Pen at Arkbound

“The trip down to Earth isn’t as long as it used to be, but it’s still enough that the guests get antsy. Food helps.” “You’ll be on the ship? Down to Earth?” Victor’s pulse quickened.

“Have they seen Jurassic Park?” Uncle Drew asks mom.

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Give me back the feeling in my legs

Draw me up to my full height

A Letter From My Future Self Inesa Velaviciute My YouDear,willlie dormant sometimes. And sometimes, your erratic self will take two steps forward, nurturing the shoot into being. Don’t worry. Life’s energy, vitality will translate into action.

“It’s fine,” Victor said, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes. “I work for Cygnus. One of the valets.” He held up the keys to Lana’s jet and shook them sharply.

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“No, not yet. We’re watching it next weekend,” mom replies.

The woman’s eyes narrowed, then darted over his shoulder towards the parking hangar. “Fine. Help me with these, will you?” Victor paused, then leaned down to grab two of the sandwiches. “I didn’t know anything was back here,” he said as he straightened and chucked the sandwiches on the tray. “Are you catering?”

“Yep,” the woman said as she hoisted the tray up, bottom lip fixed between her teeth.

Sculptblue back my wasted muscles

I don’t know why my brother was roaring but I know why I was. Yes, I was looking forward to seeing Jurassic Park. But I was roaring because I was angry. I was frustrated. I wanted them to listen to me. For once. Pay attention to me. ROAR!

“ROOAAAAARRRRR!!!!!” My brother copies me and now there are two dinosaurs. Finally, we catch their attention.Myuncle takes out his camera and takes a picture of us. The rest of grown-ups, including mom, smile. I guess they thought we looked cute – two little kids pretending to be dinosaurs.

Extract from ‘The Cool Kiss of Metal’ Gabriella Rodriguez […]Victor spun towards the commotion. Unable to see anything from where he stood, he paced forward before rounding a corner to face a set of double doors. He pushed through and found a young woman in a narrow corridor, cursing to herself as she scrambled around on the floor. She’d dropped a tray full of carefully wrapped sandwiches, her face blazing red and framed by a halo of frizzy flyaway hairs.

“What are you doing?” Victor asked. He kicked one of the fallen sandwiches by his feet, watching it roll over and over again towards the woman.

I could hear the sound of the wind, the leaves of the palm trees rustling.

Sketch me standing on a mountaintop

[…] The Angry Dinosaur Zyra Evangelista […]I remember one time, we went on a family trip out of town...

The woman was inching away from him now, a polite smile fixed to her face. “Yes –well, not all the way down.” She backed up against another set of double doors, and Victor caught a glimpse of a large room behind her, full of bustling bodies. “I’m sorry, I really have to get going!” With that, she was gone. Victor’s mind raced. He stepped forward, halted, then strode over to the doorway the woman had vanished through. He nudged one of the doors open and peered through the crack, adrenaline rushing through his body as an impossible plan took shape in his head.

I was staring at the lake, and in the distance, the small volcano right in the middle of it.

Take turpentine to my ruined nerves

“Roooaaaarrrrr!”, I yell.

The prepared mind does bring the Ithealing.willopen the closets, air out cellars and Exposedattics. to light, will cast a beam on the lingering shadows. You will lie dormant sometimes. And sometimes, the misplaced fragments of self will take steps forward, illuminating what must be seen, MoreStepsretrieving.forward.thanthere are sands in the worlds of time.

The woman stared up at him, brows knitting together. “You shouldn’t be back here.”

You’re not given much of a choice when you’re a kid though – which sucks – because you can’t do anything.

Stretch parachute silk as a canvas

“Listen to your elders, they know best so you must obey them.”

It was cool and breezy. So different from what it’s like in the city where we lived. We were in the garden. We just had lunch. We were here because it’s what families are supposed to do on weekends – spend time with each other because adults (except for dad) don’t have to be at work and kids don’t have to be in school.

I was pretending to be a dinosaur. You can’t stop dinosaurs, they’re too big. Hear that grown-ups, I’m a dinosaur!

“Well they seem excited to see it,” Uncle Sam adds as he takes another photo of us.

Make me tower over all my troubles

Etch me skydiving through the endless

Pour molten metal into the space vacated by my left calf Add your clay to my crumbling bones Paint me beautiful Paint me whole

Instructions to a Portrait Artist Lindsay Oliver Paint me beautiful Paint me whole Rub out the charcoal of my pain

I don’t remember how old I was, but my uncles considered me and my brother too young to wander off on our own. We couldn’t even explore the rest of the garden. Fair enough, I guess. But I wish the grown-ups would at least ask what we wanted to do.

‘RUN IT

FUTURE to community ownership and what lessons could be learnt.

By Alex IllustrationWildeby Esmée Balcewicz

LOSE IT?’ 42

The ownership of buildings or land by a community group, rather than a private company or the state, is often associated with empowering communities to have more say in their local areas. In the last 20 years, this thinking has been part of what the UK government has termed the ‘Big Society’. On the one hand, this can be seen as a move towards creating more opportunities for decision-making at a local level. But, it can also be perceived as shifting responsibility onto communities to run services.

But has the process of community ownership empowered the community in other ways, beyond saving the building? Community ownership can be a powerful tool to bring people together, galvanise them into action and be a platform for sharing collective concerns about other issues. It can also challenge decision-making by city councils about neighbourhood development, a process which is often seen as monolithic or impenetrable. This soft power is important because people feel that there isn’t much trust in the official structures as a way to influence the planning of neighbourhoods.

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I would argue that, at a city level, there needs to be more of a critical debate with the citizens of Glasgow. We need to discuss more about what community ownership can achieve, how it can be supported and when it is appropriate for who to take ownership of what, rather than it being just an individual negotiation for each project. Hopefully, there will be opportunities for more genuine partnership working between the council and communities in the future. It would be interesting to consider how the community would respond if tomorrow the council offered to run Govanhill Baths in partnership. But for the time being, at a local level, we can use tools such as the Scottish Government’s new Local Place Plan to influence the future shape of the community in Govanhill. And we can continue to get involved with projects and campaigns related to assets in the community. As is often the case in Govanhill, I expect people will continue to test out

Buying on the Open Market Community groups can buy a building or land on the open market. This would have been an option for members of the local Jewish community who wanted to retain the Langside Shul as a community facility and place of worship. It went to auction but it wasn’t possible for the required purchase price to be raised in time.

Routes AssetOwnershipCommunitytoTransfer

The term community is complex, however, and in an urban setting in particular, it can refer to overlapping communities of place, interests, and culture. Partly for this reason, community ownership in itself doesn’t necessarily mean it is representative of the wider community or guarantee broad democratic accountability.

FUTURE

In recent years there have been more debates about the why, who and how of community ownership – for example in relation to the Third Lanark football ground, the Langside Synagogue and Langside Halls. Some of the reaction to People Make Glasgow Communities indicates that people do care about these issues. However, in terms of publiclyowned assets, some feel they are being given a false choice of ‘run it yourself or lose it’. Community ownership is usually seen as a specific solution to a specific problem about how to control and manage an individual community space. It is often not related to how resources are distributed across a city and whether there is justice for communities in how spaces are planned.

The council has previously been cautious about community ownership and acknowledged it potentially shifts power and resources away from bodies that are democratically accountable to the electorate. Nonetheless, it launched People Make Glasgow Communities in 2021 which opened up a huge range of public assets for community ownership. It also explicitly associated this with empowerment and control by communities.

Where the asset (land or buildings) belongs to a public body such as the Council or NHS and it has decided it is surplus to requirements, it can either sell it for market value, like Kinning Park Complex or for a nominal amount, like the Govanhill Baths. For assets which are unused like the Changing Rooms, or currently operational like Langside Halls, interested parties can be invited to apply for community ownership or an organisation can make a request. Long leases are also considered to hand over control of an asset like Bellahouston plant nursery to Locavore, Langside Halls to the Langside Halls Community Trust or the Changing Rooms to South Seeds.

According to the Scottish Government, in 2021, only 18 percent of Scots feel like they can affect decisions in their area. Arguably, community ownership can give communities some economic power as grassroots organisations can use the buildings and land they own to raise funds and invest in other facilities and projects. This means they can respond more directly to local needs as well as keep profits in the community. The Govanhill Housing Association supporting Sistema Scotland to be located in Govanhill (where it runs the Big Noise orchestra programme) is seen as a good example of this. The reality is, however, that the independence of community organisations to respond to needs is limited and will always be tied to official structures and reliant on some grant funding. Organisations are also pitted against each other for resources, even competing, at times for example, with Glasgow Life, the charity which delivers cultural, sporting and learning activities on behalf of Glasgow City Council.

Another question that I considered in my research was: ‘Do people care who runs a community service as long as it is there?’. That may certainly be the case for many people who don’t have time to engage, but perhaps that will change as more communityowned facilities are opened and are able to demonstrate that they can adapt more quickly to community needs. South Seeds conducted a study in 2017 which mapped opportunities and indicated that there was an increasing level of interest in community control of resources.

Community Right to Buy A community group can request to have the first option to buy when an asset is for sale. This is used primarily for private sale of land and buildings. More recently communities can now request to force the sale of land or buildings to community ownership which have been neglected or could be used for sustainable development. This is still fairly new and not been used much yet in an urban context.

Spring is here, and Queen’s Park is once again showing signs of life; buds are blooming, birds are tweeting, and the park is awash with Bluetooth speakers and picnic rugs. It’s hard to imagine this vibrant source of life – a place that brings joy, relief, and comfort to so many – suffering under the siege of illness. And yet, Queen’s Park is sick; its ash trees are succumbing to a disease that is set to alter its arboreal landscape forever. Ash dieback (or chalara) was first detected in the UK in 2012, and it didn’t take long for the disease to make its way from Buckinghamshire – where it was first spotted – up to Scotland.

Now, it’s rife in Glasgow. There are 460 ash trees in Queen’s Park, and – from a survey carried out last year by Ryan Fleming, a tree expert working on ash dieback around Glasgow – 286 of these are infected with the disease. Sadly, many of the trees showing no signs of infection in the last survey, are predicted to display symptoms over the coming years. It is estimated that the UK will lose 80 percent of its ash trees to the disease. The numbers in Queen’s Park will be no different, meaning we are likely to lose around 350 trees from the park. There’s no known cure for ash dieback, and given that it is spread through airborne fungal spores, it is almost impossible to mitigate. All that’s left is damage control. In the final stages of infection, the wood of the tree becomes too brittle to sustain its own weight. Heavy branches fall to the ground and the trunk will ultimately topple. In areas like Queen’s Park, this poses a risk to public safety. Ryan’s job is to manage this risk, ensuring that the only casualties of this arboreal epidemic are the trees themselves. He monitors infected ash trees in heavily populated areas. When the risk of the tree crumbling under its own weight becomes significant, Ryan and his team cut it down to ensure there are no human tragedies. Some infected ash trees have already been sacrificed in favour of public safety. Next time you pass The Glasshouse, take a look at the ornamental lawns outside. You’ll see two exposed stumps where a pair of weeping ash used to However,stand.not every infected ash tree in the park will meet its end by way of chainsaw.

Ryan hopes that the replanting scheme is taken seriously, and that the ash trees are replaced with a species that is native to Scotland, like oak or beech. However, in decisions like this, money talks. It states in the latest Queen’s Park management plan that decisions about replanting contracts are determined 70 percent by cost and 30 percent by provenance.Itmaybetoo late to save these trees, but we can make a case for who their successors should be. The future of the park’s arboreal landscape is very much in our hands.

Ash Dieback: A Loss to Queen’s Park

FUTURE

By Laura IllustrationWilliamsbySuzie Cichy

Glasgow City Council is mapping out a replanting scheme for those that succumb to the disease. Although no plans are set in stone, it looks like all felled ash trees will be recommended for replanting. For obvious reasons, the replacement will not be species for species, but it’s also unlikely that substitutions will be made in exactly the same locations. Over the course of the coming years, the treescape of the park will change drastically. Some areas will lose large patches of their canopies, whilst in other places new saplings will start to take root, filling the void of the bygone ash.

Those found in areas of low foot traffic will be allowed to succumb naturally to the disease. When their branches drop off and their trunks eventually snap, nature will be allowed to take its course. The deadwood will provide shelter and habitat for flora and fauna until it decomposes back into the earth, releasing its minerals and enriching the surrounding soil. Where trees are forcibly removed, the timber is recycled or reused wherever possible. Some of the wood is repurposed as biomass fuel which is used to power the furnace that heats the glasshouse, keeping the park’s resident reptiles warm. On other occasions, the wood is collected by local charities and social enterprises, like The BullWood Project, an organisation that aims to introduce Glaswegians from all backgrounds to the art of woodwork. It’s nice to think of the doomed ash trees being repurposed in this way, transformed into a rickety first stool or a slightly lopsided woodenNonetheless,vase. as we walk around the park, it's difficult to not feel a sense of impending loss. Ryan points out one ash tree, located at the top of the steps leading up from the Langside roundabout. He tells me that it could be anywhere between 100 to 120 years old, which means the tree must have been planted only a few decades after the park was first opened to the Victorian public. There are hundreds of small shoots growing from the tree’s branches. This is called epicormic growth, it’s a sign that a tree is under great stress and a common symptom of ash dieback. Ryan explains that a tree does this when they know they’re dying; they shoot out new branches to grow fresh leaves to photosynthesize. They fight to stay alive, but their valiant efforts only prolong the inevitable. The tree will soon have to be put out of its misery. I ask why the ash trees are left to the later stages before they are felled. My deeply engrained anthropocentric tendencies tell me that it’s to soften the blow for the park’s human visitors, to make the change gradual instead of sudden and shocking. But it turns out it is because the shift needs to be gentle for the park’s non-human inhabitants who take residence in, and on, the ash trees. There are 955 species that make use of ash trees in Scotland. Of these, 45 are obligate, meaning they occur only on ash trees, and 62 are highly associated with ash, meaning they are rarely found elsewhere. The ash trees need to battle the disease for as long as possible to ensure that these species are not left without habitats. There’s a formula to estimate the monetary value of a single tree, called the CAVAT (capital asset value for amenity trees) value. Multiple factors are taken into account: the tree’s air purifying capabilities, its value as a certain I agree with our human predisposition to ascribe everything a monetary value, the CAVAT value of some of these trees helps our economically-wired brains to comprehend the cost of this epidemic – some of the older ash trees are valued at over £50,000.

In Govanhill, the subway is just out of reach –a ‘close but no cigar’ system. The nearest station is Bridge Street, a 30 minute walk or 10 minute bus journey from the Victoria Road entrance of Queen’s Park. This relatively long walk or the expense of a bus ticket for a 10 minute journey means this link is often not considered.

COP26, an all-in-one ticket that could be used on trains, buses and the subway was introduced for delegates. However this was never rolled out further, much to the dismay of many. In one positive move, the SNP introduced free bus travel for all under-22s at the beginning of this year. But while free bus travel for young people and an all-in-one ticket would make the subway system more accessible to Southside residents, the recommendations of the STPR2 consultation are far-more ambitious. The proposals for the Clyde Metro are convoluted and somewhat vague. However a close-knit subculture of Glasgow’s Twitter users have unpicked the proposals. From their research, two main plans from the Clyde Metro proposals have been identified that will hugely benefit the connectivity of the Southside’s transportation network.Thefirst point of interest, and perhaps the one with the biggest impact would see Pollokshields East station turn into a major transportation hub. A new line would be opened from the station heading east and the station would also connect up to the existing subway station of West Street.

alk of the Glasgow Subway being extended is almost as old as the 126 year old transportation network itself. Yet now for the first time since it opened in 1896, there is a very real possibility that the famously oval-shaped route could see its map change to a more spider-like cartography, akin to that of most other major subway systems. This is because the idea of a subway extension has been included in the draft of the Scottish Government’s second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), which ‘recognises the key role that transport has in reducing inequalities, delivering inclusive economic growth, improving our health and wellbeing, and tackling the climate emergency’. The 20 year plan also coincides with the Scottish Government’s promise to have net zero emissions by 2045.

For many, cars are the only viable option, undermining the city's pledges to emission reduction, jeopardising the health of local people, reducing social equity as well as access to work or services, and undoubtedly pushing more people into poverty with the continued rise in fuel costs.”

FUTURE ON TRACK FOR A MORE TGOVANHILL?CONNECTED

Spyro, a Govanhill resident said: “The subway system fails to serve people outside the city centre and the West End. It isn't accessible from any of the train stations between Glasgow Central and the Southside. Combined with the unreliability of buses it can make public transport totally unviable.

By Jack Howse and Ben Cave Unofficial sketch of what the new Clyde Metro map might look like Govanhill stations, making up for those that have been lost during the pandemic (currently there is only one train per hour in the evening through Queen’s Park).

For Southside residents wanting to reach the east and west of the city, journeys usually involve either unpredictable waiting times at bus stops or expensive transfers between different modes of transportation as a different ticket is needed for each bus, train and subway rideDuringtaken.

Pollokshields East currently links via rail to Queen’s Park and Crosshill, making it far easier for many Govanhillians to access these new routes. The train routes running through these stations would also be converted into a metro-style system which would use the subway carriages we are used to seeing underground. These would be far quieter than current ScotRail carriages. However, the main change would be the increased frequency of trains on the Cathcart circle line route, which would better connect up Govanhill with Shawlands and Pollokshields meaning less rainy dashes across Queen’sThesePark.two proposals would benefit Govanhill by linking the area up with existing metro networks to the west as well as with new routes heading east. The plans would also see this whole network being made into a subway system meaning one ticket (currently priced at £1.75) would work on all these lines and all transfers on the system. The proposals would also mean a far greater number of services running through

Bellgrove, a station in Dennistoun, would only be 20 minutes away. Those wanting to go west could travel one stop to West Street and then change directly onto the existing underground system; the total journey would take approximately 20 minutes. Currently, both these trips take around 40 minutes or more on public transport, so it would slash journey times by about 50 percent.

Plans for the Clyde Metro

While these proposals may sound tantalising, just how realistic are they? And how soon can we expect changes? If current railway projects are anything to go by, we are a long way off. HS2, the high speed line that connects Glasgow to London, and Crossrail, a new railway across London, have been marred in controversy due to spiralling costs and missed deadlines. They have formed a major part of the London-centric culture wars imbued in Westminster politics. However, the Clyde Metro plans are arguably a lot less complex and expensive than HS2 and Crossrail, as much of it involves reopening already-built but disused railway lines. Similarities can be seen with the metro network in the Newcastle-Upon-Tyne area where train lines were converted into a subway network, proving to be highly-effective and cost-efficient.TheScottish Government also has a relatively good track record of successful transportation projects since devolution in 2004. Transport Scotland has overseen the opening of the M74 extension, the New Queensferry Crossing and the first (albeit notorious) Edinburgh tram line, as well as the extensive electrification works of Edinburgh –GlasgowFollowingroutes.consultation, the final STPR2 Report and the basis for development of the Delivery Plan is set to be published by Autumn 2022. And while the plans included may still be a way off being implemented, they do seem to be being seriously considered. In the meantime, quick but impactful changes can be made to the transportation system including all-in-one tickets for Glasgow’s transportation network. Let’s hope that the new Southside Central council representatives will prioritise improving public transport for the area. Follow @ilynnica on Twitter for more.

GovanhillGovanhillGovanhillGovanhilltheDreamsDreamsDreamsDreams

YWCA Scotland’s report, ‘Glasgow: A Feminist City?’ surveyed young women and nonbinary people living in Glasgow about their experiences. Respondents highlighted issues relating to safety, convenience, accessibility and affordability with many concerned about violence and harassment women had experienced due to poor infrastructure.

Shgufta Ali Women on Wheels

The free state of Glasgow Southside was established on the first anniversary of the Kenmure Street protests. The M8 was closed to motor traffic and transformed into Europe’s highest cycle lane, covered from the elements with a canopy of evergreen vines. The cycle path now winds through a managed but wild parkland, radical rent controls in the area prevent harmful gentrification practises.

Lighting up parks and providing decent public transport won’t fix all of the problems faced by women. But these are two easy things we could do to make Govanhill better for everyone.

There’s increased health, social mobility and character for the area. Buses are run by the autonomous people’s assembly, services are reliable and heavily subsidised by a tax on private cars (exemptions for those with mobility difficulties). There’s been a huge decrease in car use. Air quality and pedestrian safety have improved and streets have been transformed by green space, public transport infrastructure and child play areas.There have been vast increases in public space. Green corridors along major roads provide shade, increased air quality, wellbeing, and habitat for local people and creatures. Every resident lives within a three minute walk of a green corridor, connecting to local parks and facilities. The tyranny of the Department of Work and Pensions is removed from people’s lives as Job Centres are left defunct after a universal basic income comes into effect (regardless of visa or citizenship status).

FUTURE Spyro

FutureFutureFutureFutureof

Getting home safely and affordably shouldn’t be difficult.

Illustrations by Laura Wade

We asked a few folk to imagine a future, more perfect version of Govanhill – 10 years from now. We loved these ideas, but want to hear more. Share your vision by hello@greatergovanhill.comemailing

An ideal world should meet the needs of all of its inhabitants (not just me!) so I envisage a community where everyone has their voices heard equally, and greater understanding is fostered between different sections in society. A newly-revamped Govanhill Baths has the potential to act as a centrifugal force in this, bringing people into contact with neighbours through swimming, classes, events and a cuppa in a nonjudgmental manner. Publications like Greater Govanhill have a similar role to play.

As a young woman living in Govanhill, I share the same concerns. There are signs the city is moving in the right direction to improve the experience of women and non-binary people.

Queen’s Park is part of a new pilot scheme to improve lighting. Another potential that Green Councillors have called for is free public transport.

In the future, women on wheels, happily cycling down Victoria Road – the heart of Govanhill –would be the norm and not the exception. The sight of a very obviously Muslim woman would not send onlookers into convulsions. Instead, they would gaze at her in envy and admiration, in awe of her confidence and evident skill; wishing that they too could look half as graceful whilst pedalling.Theroads (and cycle paths) would be a place of synergy and equilibrium, where pedestrians, cyclists and motorists would share the space with ease. As I pedal on by, I would admire the local surroundings rather than cautiously scanning the road ahead to avoid the many potholes or general debris. I would not need to resemble a Christmas tree, kitted out in hideous hi-vis and multiple flashing lights, as adequate street lighting would be part of the established cycle infrastructure.Thewomen, men and children on bikes would far outnumber cars on the roads, the drivers of which would be the very epitome of politeness and kindness. A woman on wheels would be an inspiration, embodying everything that could turn a less-than-perfect reality into a utopia for all.

Cars would be largely redundant, due to the cheap, 24-hour, fully-integrated, publicly-owned transport network, and the new Subway station at Central providing an efficient link to the overground system. Many will still choose to cycle, of course, but people’s needs will largely be met within walking distance of their homes.

Becki Menzies I want Glasgow to be a place where I feel safe, empowered and listened to.

Craig Hunter

Govanhill already represents so much of where we hope other neighbourhoods will be in ten years’ time; with its strong, grassroots activity that celebrates the many communities which make up greater Govanhill. From today’s standpoint, it is impossible to look ahead without a deep concern about the current measures coming from the top of our government which fan the flames of xenophobia, racism, transphobia, and austerity, and worry about the effects that these will have on our communities over the coming years.

I see a big garden where we can grow fruits and vegetables together, and a specific place just for barbecues. Communities can come together and enjoy outside picnics.

I see safer spaces for children where they can enjoy big, well-maintained play parks and have the freedom to explore and run We want Govanhill to be greener! More trees, more green spaces. We want every garden to be clean, accessible and full of nature, not piles of old furniture. We want clean, healthy spaces to live in, but beautiful spaces too. Govanhill is my home and I want to enjoy it as much as possible with my children. Give us bread, but give us roses too!

Despite, or perhaps, in response to this, our hope is that this community continues to build on what we have, continues to get stronger, and continues to welcome all. There are already so many organisations that exist in Govanhill which are doing amazing work to make sure this place feels like home for us all. In ten years’ time we hope to see more of these – working together to improve the lives of those who live here. We hope to hear even more languages spoken across the streets and tenements of Govanhill, and more different voices at the forefront of community activism. We hope Govanhill stands as a shining example of true community integration and belonging.

Sean Kerwin improveourpark.co.uk

Lunchtime in Govanhill 2032. I’ve popped down Victoria Road on my e-unicycle to grab a ciabatta from my favourite deli. Today’s special is lab-grown chicken, vertically farmed avocado and high protein cricket mayo. Delicious. I zoom up to Queen’s Park and look for a bench to sit on. There’s loads of kids in the playpark. The council finally invested in it after intense public pressure. I spot a kid in a wheelchair on the roundabout, shouting ‘FULL POWER’ at his dad. Next to the play area, some teenagers are having a party by the municipal sound system. The council decided at some point in the late ‘20s that music was actually beneficial for people’s health and installed ‘music zones’. This one has got microphones, virtual turntables and is totally waterproof. You can literally be singing in the rain. There’s a kid on the mic rapping about being ‘present’, whatever that means. I’m about to film a quick TikTok video but decide against it. My kids will think I’m a loser for using social media.The sun comes out, I unwrap my ciabatta and soak up the atmosphere. I love this park.

There would be a Roma community centre where people can gather, learn new things

Ruth Cape and Jess Steele South East Integration Network

Rhiannon J Davies

Beatrice Onashile I invest my time, energy and occasionally finance in Govanhill because I have great hopes that the environment could become a sanctuary for its residents. I see a vision of an ultra clean environment, with lots of green areas, with people feeling very proud and possessive about their community. I see cohesiveness among the citizens, having a united front to fight for their rights. I see the new Govanhill Baths as a uniting factor for the community, where residents chill out, relax and make decisions that will enhance their living standards. The people of Govanhill would not be displaced by gentrification; rather the regeneration and cohesiveness of the community would attract further investment in the area. Govanhill will become an upmarket hub where things happen. I also see myself as a voice in Govanhill. The passion of the people of old who fought to retain their public baths from being closed down will still remain. In ten years, Govanhill would be a place people would want to live in, without the displacement of its residents.

It’s 2032, and it has been twelve years since the first Greater Govanhill magazine was published. The solutions-focused coverage has brought innovative ideas into the area, to improve issues around poverty, inclusion, community cohesion and lack of equal opportunities.It'sbeenten years since Greater Govanhill opened the doors to its independent media hub on Victoria Road. It’s a collaborative and inviting space. Anyone can wander in, get a free cup of tea and have a chat. People know where they can go if they have something to share, or want to raise an issue. Anyone who wants to, feels empowered to tell the stories that matter to them. The impact of the magazine has had an effect outside the area too. Others have seen what the media can do if it takes the time to listen. Commercial models of journalism seem like such a relic of the past. Instead, non-profit is the norm (for all businesses in fact), which means sensationalist, harmful and clickbait journalism just isn’t a thing any more. News outlets are no longer owned by distant shareholders. Instead the media is community-owned and run, journalism is representative of diversity in society, and stories published are measured and nuanced, aiming to make a positive impact on society. When I think of a more perfect Govanhill, I see more space for everyone to be together, relax, enjoy the environment, create, and I’d like to see more benches on Victoria Road. The street is full of shops and people from all around the world and it’s nice to be

FUTURE

Founding Editor, Greater Govanhill

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When: 21 May, 12-5pm Where: The Deep End, 21 Nithsdale Road What: This is Not a Craft Market returns on the third Saturday of the month to play host to over 25 local artists and makers! More info: govanhillbaths.com/whatson/ Sound Bath with Tahlee Clark Campbell

When: 22 May, 4:45-5:45pm Where: Tramway What: This event featuring authors and academics David Alston, Kate Phillips and Cass Ezeji promises to be an invaluable session on Scotland’s role in the slave trade. More info: tramway.org/what-s-on

The Glasgow Choir Festival

Summer is nearly upon us, restrictions are lifted and the events calendar is getting packed again. For more events in the area, see: greatergovanhill.com/noticeboard

Roma Film & Romani Language Workshop

this May When: 21 May Where: The Point Community Hub, Queens Drive What: Free Romani language workshop by Roma language expert Juice Vamosi who grew up in a Roma community in Southern Hungary and mastered most Romani dialects spoken all over the world. There will also be a screening of the first Romanes feature film, The Deathless Woman, kicking off a UK wide screening tour. More info: thedeathlesswoman.com

W h at ’ s O n

The Tannahill Event: White Supremacy, Black Lives and Scotland’s Role in the Slave Trade

MAY Aye Write When: 6-22 May What: Aye Write is Glasgow's annual book festival, bringing writers and speakers from across Britain to various venues across the city. More info: ayewrite.com Southside Fringe: When: 14-22 May Where: Venues across the Southside including McNeill's Bar, Remade, Bees Knees Cafe What: The Southside Fringe is focused upon providing a week of quality opportunities for acts, performers and musicians. From markets and wellbeing, towindow exhibitions and commemorating our Southside communities courageous acts of compassion. More info: southsidefringe.org.uk

When: 20-22 May Where: The Wee Retreat and Finn’s Place What: This new festival aims to increase the wellbeing of Southsiders by introducing a variety of exciting activities from meditation, to fermentation, poetry and more. More info: southsidewellbeingfestival.co.uk

Simon Amstell: Spirit Hole When: 20 May Where: Tramway What: ‘Spirit Hole’ is a blissful, spiritual, sensational exploration of love, sex, shame, mushrooms and more by comedian Simon Amstell More info: tramway.org/what-s-on Rags to Riches, This Is Not A Craft Market

When: 21 May, 1-2pm Where: Studio 70 Yoga, 70 Victoria Road What: This 1 hour Sound Bath Meditation will have participants lying down in rest, to listen to traditional vibrational sounds. More info: studio70glasgow.com/workshops

When: 27 May 5.30-10pm

Southside Wellbeing Festival

Where: Queens Park Arena What: Free outdoor festival with a diverse range of choirs from 100+ professional members andlocal community choirs. Cafe bar and street food vendors all day. More info: facebook.com/qparena Set The Seen Festival When: 28 May 10am Where: Queens Park Arena What: A festival to bring awareness of invisible illness and those it affects, their carers and the curious. More info: facebook.com/qparena Festival of Resistance When: 13-14 May Where: Kenmure Street, Pollokshields What: Pollokshields Trust, The Bowling Green Pollokshields and Govanhill Baths Community Trust are inviting all community organisations, anti-racist groups, activists and artists to join us to celebrate the anniversary of the Kenmure Street Anti-Eviction Protest. More info: celebratingkenmurestreetgovanhillbaths.com/

The Rumshack Glasgow Presents Jah Shaka When: 4 June, 5-10.30pm Where: Queens Park Arena What: QPA Live and The Rum Shack Glasgow present Jah Shaka, The Zulu Warrior, at Queen's Park Arena, Glasgow. Jah Shaka is one of the most important roots of reggae and dub music. More info: facebook.com/qparena

Street Feast When: 25 June Where: Batson Street Laboratory, Govanhill What: Govanhill Community Market together with GAMIS and Govanhill Baths will bring a massive Street Feast to the Bat.Lab. There will be long tables running all the way down the street with neighbours from all over Govanhill sharing their favourite homemade dishes, endless chats with new and old friends across the table, market stalls, live music and fun family activities to accompany. Find out how to get involved on page 6. More info: facebook.com/g42popups J U LY advertisement

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BYOB Bring Your Own Bookshop

J U N E Glasgow Science Festival

When: 19 June Where: Indoor & outdoor venues around the Govanhill area What: Big Noise Govanhill's United Orchestra are excited to join Nevis Ensemble for a pop-up musical performance tour of Govanhill. Find their young musicians performing side-by-side with Nevis Ensemble at various locations throughout the day. Free, family friendly, and open to all. More info: facebook.com/BigNoiseGovanhill

Sub Club x Queen's Park Bandstand When: 16-17 July from 4-10pm Where: Queen's Park Arena What: This July, Sub Club step out into the sunshine as they takeover the Queen's Park Bandstand for two days of music & dancing! Joining long term Sub Club residents Harri & Domenic, across the weekend will be a fantastic array of local talent alongside some wonderful guest bookings including Hunee, Soichi Terrada [Live] & Horse Meat Disco to name but a few. Come down for what promises to be a truly magical weekend.

#ScienceOnTheSofa

When: 12 June Where: Outwith Books, 14 Albert Road What: Outwith Books are giving you the chance to sell your second-hand books from a stall outside their shop. This one is for booklovers! More info: outwithbooksglasgow/facebook.com/ Massaoke In The Park When: 14 June, 12-4pm Where: Queens Park Arena What: Massaoke Scotland is back with a singalong for all ages in Glasgow's Queen's Park with a live band playing hits from movies and musicals, and a game of music bingo. More info: facebook.com/qparena Big Noise Govanhill & Nevis Ensemble Pop-up Tour

When: 2-30 June Where: Glasgow Science Centre and online What: Glasgow Science Festival will be back in venues across the City with a fantastic programme of free events. It will be in-person with Glasgow's Making Waves from 2-12 June and online with to 30 June. More info: glasgowsciencefestival.org.uk

Freedom by Angela Catlin

In the summer of 2020, lockdown rules are relaxed and the local youths make sure they enjoy it. Here a young man dive bombs into the White Cart in Pollok Park. After three months of a stay-at-home order, people are allowed to meet outside in small groups and enjoy the sunshine.

Angela Catlin is a freelance photographer with over 30 years experience. She has covered stories from the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, to gang violence in Guatemala and the Women’s Defence Units of Kurdistan.

Hot Shot

CORNERPOETRY

Henry Bell is a writer and editor based on the Southside of Glasgow. His pamphlet The Inner Circle and his biography of John Maclean are available now and he is currently working on a history of the red flag.

Some eagle eyed observers have pointed out, there is a splash in the water before the lad hits, this is because in using a fast shutter speed i.e. 1000th of a second to freeze the movement, the splash of the previous diver was captured too.

For two years, Henry Bell and Angela Catlin documented the pandemic in Glasgow through their poems and photographs. The resulting book, Still Life, offers a glimpse of the grief, fear, solidarity and moments of joy that the experience of Covid-19 brought to Scotland. It is available to purchase from speculativebooks.net GOT A POEM OR LOCALLY TAKEN PHOTO TO SHARE? WANT TO BE FEATURED IN THE NEXT ISSUE? Send them in hello@greatergovanhill.comtotobeconsidered.

a floating flood a guddle of gloves and masks wet through a stormy washing machine of peels and sandwich allwrappersperfectly polluted and gently lit by Glasgow sundown orange and plum a still life of litter in our front garden: a bottle of Irn Bru the see-through jewel of a lateral flow test a rotting lemon a single plastic glove a mud filled covid mask a takeaway a wooden knife all grubbily declaring there is still life

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Still Life by Henry Bell

At Under One Roof, we provide free and impartial information about tenement building maintenance and management to tenement flat owners across Scotland. As a charity, we’re here to provide information that helps you to work with your co-owners and keep your building happy and healthy.

How often do you check your building for potential maintenance issues? This can easily be forgotten as you’re rushing out of the door, but regularly keeping an eye on your building can help you to spot potential maintenance issues. Visit the Under One Roof website to learn more about the common maintenance issues that you can look out for.

Your NeighbourhoodYogaStudio.

Tenement buildings are a part of Scottish history, and there’s a good chance you might live in one.

www.studio70glasgow.com @studio70glasgow

Offering you Yoga 7 days a week from our beautiful studio on Victoria Road. We want you to feel good in your body! Join us for classes including flow, yin, pilates, pregnancy yoga, sound baths, workshops, courses, community & more. advertorial

What makes a happy tenement building? Here are our top tips: Know your co-owners Keeping your building happy and healthy is a community effort. However, it’s common not to know other owners; or have their contact details. When it comes time to organise a shared repair or make improvements, quickly contacting your co-owners can help you make the necessary repair much faster, which could lead to a saving in repair bills. If you’re struggling to find your co-owners, visit underoneroof.scot for your next steps. Keep an eye on your tenement building

Creating a happy tenement building with Under One Roof

Set aside some time to really look around your building. Take photos of anything you want to keep an eye on and check back at a later date to look for any potential changes. Talk to a professional and your co-owners if you think you have spotted a potential maintenance issue, and always observe your building safely. Become a tenement champion Learning more about tenement maintenance and management means that you can share knowledge with your tenement community and help keep your building standing strong. Understanding the different responsibilities may seem difficult. However, we provide easy to read and impartial information across our website, social media, and events across Scotland. Whether you’re living in a tenement building from the 1800s or something more modern, Under One Roof is here to help you connect with your neighbours and provide the information you need to keep your building standing strong into the future.

Lookinganswers?for Find them at underoneroof.scot

Want to advertise in our next issue? Unlike most news websites, we never want adverts to get in the way of a good read. So we just include a small selection of adverts in each print issue. We also offer big discounts to non-profit organisations. Get in touch for a chat: becki@greatergovanhill.com Visit: greatergovanhill.com/members or scan this code WANT TO SUPPORT THE FUTURE COMMUNITYOFMEDIA? This magazine is free and it always will be, because we believe everyone has the right to access quality community journalism. But if you can spare £3 a month, you can help us to build community power through innovative, grassroots media, which aims to make a positive impact. It might not sound like much, but it really does make a world of difference.