Greater Govanhill - Issue 10

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Issue 10

Summer 2023

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THE STORIES THAT MATTER TO YOU

WILD IN THE SOUTHSIDE

Making the most of our green spaces INCLUDING: skateboarding culture • foraging walks • invasive species • Mexican bean recipe turning your street into a community garden • death cafes • queer gardening groups interview with artist Trackie McLeod • poetry • what’s on • local news • and much more Featuring articles in: Slovenský, Português 1

Letter from the Team

Featured Contributors

Dear Readers,

You might be thinking, this new copy of Greater Govanhill feels lighter… and you’d be right. We have also slimmed down from 52 to 32 pages. But don’t worry!

We have moved from a quarterly to a bi-monthly rollout of Greater Govanhill, meaning you’ll actually be getting six issues each year rather than four.

We are delighted to let you know about our two new recruits. Samar and Devon have joined the team as trainee journalists/editors. Both have contributed to the magazine before; Samar was part of our Young Voices team whilst Devon did work experience with us last summer. They’ll be out and about in the community, attending events and reporting on local stories, so do say hello if you see them wielding a pen and paper in Queen’s Park.

We have found ourselves in the park and other green spaces around the area a lot over the last few weeks as we’ve been assembling this issue. And while it’s always a good excuse to get outside it’s also been great to see some of the people-powered initiatives working on growing community.

So go take this copy to your nearest green patch and lie in that sun before it goes behind a cloud – watch out for the midges!

Dylan Beck

Originally from Lithuania, Dylan has lived in Glasgow for over a decade and is proud to call Govanhill their home!

They’re passionate about all things community and specifically interested in mutual aid and disability justice.

Read their exploration of queer gardening on page 22

Jack Howse

Editorial Assistant

Articles marked with the Mind the Health Gap project logo form part of a year long collaboration with investigative journalism co-op, The Ferret exploring solutions to health inequalities. It is funded by the European Journalism Centre, through the Solutions Journalism Accelerator.

This fund is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

A special thanks to our advertisers: Chickaros, Garolla, Glasgow Credit Union and Govanhill Baths.

Want to advertise in our next issue?

Email hello@greatergovanhill.com

Anne Milne

Anne is a documentary filmmaker who has lived in Govanhill since 2017. In her spare time, she enjoys being involved in the local community, taking care of her garden, and swimming in local lochs.

Check out her photographs and thoughts about Albert Road on page 24

We’re also grateful to every one of our members who help us to keep going, even when times are tight. If you enjoy the magazine and want to support us, visit: greatergovanhill.com/members

Editor Rhiannon J Davies Creative Director Laura Hurst www.paperarcade.co.uk Cover Image Skateboarders at the The Recs by Alexander Hoyles Editorial Assistant Jack Howse Staff Journalists Devon McCole and Samar Jamal Words by Anne Milne, Devon McCole, Dorota Gombarova, Dylan Beck, Eddie Kim, Flora Zajicek, Jack Howse, Marzanna Antoniak, Melanie Goldberg, Rhiannon J Davies, Rhys Delany, Samar Jamal, Teresa Baños and Toni Bruce Photos by Alexander Hoyles, Anne Milne, Audrey Bizouerne, Dylan Lombard, Iain McLellan, Jack Howse, Paulina Gombarova, Rob Reid, Simon Murphy, Toni Bruce and Teresa Baños

Melanie Goldberg

Melanie graduated from Glasgow last year with a degree in politics and is a freelance journalist originally from the Southside. She loves to write on a variety of topics but has a particular interest in antisemitism.

Read her interview with a death cafe volunteer on page 10

Illustrations by Issey Medd, Laura Hurst, Libby Walker and Sasha Delmage Translations by Juliana Da Penha and Dorota Gombarova Printed by Gladstone Print Ltd

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 82 Bowman St, Glasgow, G42 8LF, Scotland: SC656194.

Any queries, comments or letters, get in touch via: hello@greatergovanhill.com To make a complaint, visit: greatergovanhill.com/complaints

Contents

Issue 10 Summer 2023

REGULARS

FEATURES

04

12

Can Foraging Food PORT Help us to Connect?

News in Brief

All the latest from around the neighbourhood

06

SL OVAK IA

Roma News and Views

Tomas – the backcourt gardener

07

My Life Before Govanhill With Noha Al-Maghafi from Yemen and London

10

Volunteer Spotlight Meet Jenny Watt from Southside Death Cafe

11

Like my Grandmother Used to Make Mexican frijoles de olla and all their uses

UG UE SE

Exploring the links between finding food and health N

16

Building Community on Four Wheels

14

Meet the skaters making the most out of outdoor space

Through the Cracks

How green initiatives are carving out space in urban settings

19

How We Turned Our Whole Street into a Community Garden

TO CLOSE 28

Have you seen Carfin Street recently?

What’s On

Some of the best events happening locally in June and July

20

Upsetting the Balance

The invasive species damaging the local eco system

21

Mapping the Southside’s Sustainability Solutions

30

Poetry Corner

Tidying by Eddie Kim of Gomo Kimchi

30

Check out these new walking trails

22

Hot Shot

Featuring the work of young Roma photographer, Paulina Gombarova

Grounded, Rooted, Growing: The Queer Joys of Gardening The growth of – and need for – inclusive gardening groups

24

Dreaming Big for Albert Road How transforming a street could improve circular economy

08

Behind the Portrait

WE NEED YOUR HELP We’re growing as an organisation, but we’re still small, independent and grassroots. Help us become sustainable by becoming a member.

Scan this code to support us with £3 a month.

Featuring Trackie Mcleod, with photography

by Simon Murphy

FOLLOW US govanhill_mag 3

greatergovanhill

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news in brief Queen’s Park glasshouse partially reopens

Simon Murphy’s Govanhill photobook to be published

The Queen’s Park glasshouse has reopened to the public after shutting its doors in 2020. The majority of the animals who once resided there have been rehomed. But there are still plants to wander amongst and a pond with fish in to visit.

Open from Monday to Thursday and Saturday to Sunday the greenhouse will be open from 10am to 3:30pm, and on Fridays it will be open from 10:30am to 3pm.

Award-winning photographer Simon Murphy will be releasing his first ever photobook, Govanhill, in October.

The much anticipated work will feature photos that showcase the vibrant and diverse streets of Govanhill through Murphy’s eyes, creating a portrait of a place. The release of the book will coincide with Simon’s Street Level Photoworks exhibition which will take place from 14 October to 23 December.

Residents share how they want to see the Southside improved

Initial feedback has been published on the Liveable Neighbourhood consultation, ran by Atkins Consulting on behalf of Glasgow City Council.

Greater Govanhill’s Community Newsroom was one of the spaces used for pop up events gathering residents' views. The project overall aims are to reduce the city’s car dependency by transforming the streets into safer, more accessible, and more attractive spaces for those who live, work, and study in the Southside.

More than half (55 percent) of those who responded to the Pollokshields East to Gorbals consultation felt negatively about the safety and cleanliness of the local area, but 84 percent agreed that their streets and local spaces were important to them. Residents specifically called for better care and maintenance of the area's footpaths, as well as improved priority and parking for cyclists and pedestrians, and improved accessibility for disabled residents – who struggle with busy crossings and high kerbs. Calls for more green spaces, community centres, and more language resources were also put forward by locals who shared a desire for better social contact within the community.

You can see the comments, and have your say by visiting: bit.ly/LiveableGH

Feedback wanted on new urban park under M74 Plans for the Devon Street Urban Park are being consulted on. Glasgow Urban Sports (GUS) have proposed for an unused area, under the M74 canopy and the green space on Devon Street to be transformed into an outdoor gym with space for skating, cycling, in-line skating and BMX. As well as, a green space for public art and events to support the mental and physical wellbeing of the local community.

The project is intended to be a collaborative process with the public, who will be encouraged to review design proposals when consultations take place this Summer. The public is also being encouraged to give feedback through social media and complete a survey. Future progress will be shared with the public on GUS’s social media.

Further information on the project as well as the survey can be found on GUS’s website.

Young women struggling to access the healthcare they need A new report on The Status of Young Women in Scotland 2022-2023, produced by the Young Women’s Movement, has revealed that many women are struggling to access healthcare and 17% felt that their experiences accessing healthcare were primarily negative.

The report included 900 young women and people of marginalised genders with participants from every Scottish local authority. It was found that young women felt that booking appointments was one of the biggest challenges to accessing healthcare.

Alongside this many Black, Asian and minority ethnic women felt that they were not taken seriously by healthcare professionals because of their background. The report highlights key concerns from various women which can be utilised by policy makers and health care professionals to implement effective change.

Glasgow City Council launch bin hub pilot The council are preparing to install purpose-built bin-hubs at the front of properties across the city, particularly in parts of Pollokshields, in the hopes of improving sanitation in the Southside after residents’ calls for change. The trial is set to start in Pollokshields this summer and is expected to last for a year.

The council have stated that they are targeting areas with the worst safety and sanitation problems and are aiming for more frequent collections of refuse, as well as better recycling options, with the end goal of making the streets and back lanes of Glasgow’s Southside much cleaner and safer for both residents and staff members alike.

4

news in brief GAMIS fundraiser exceeds target

Glasgow Artists’ Moving Image Studios (GAMIS) have smashed their fundraising target to establish a permanent home at the Phoenix Furniture warehouse. They have become known locally for their pop up screenings, programming cinema and supporting artists and filmmakers in Govanhill and wider Glasgow since 2018.

Speaking about the news, the team said: “We are overwhelmed with gratitude to the people of Govanhill, across Glasgow and the world who donated to our Crowdfunder. We’re now busy planning the next phases, buying the equipment we need to make the old Phoenix warehouse a permanent space for artists’ moving image and community cinema. Essential maintenance to the building and logistical timelines mean we won’t be programming anything public facing until the autumn but in the meantime, we’re packing up t-shirts, tote bags and rewards to deliver to all our patrons very soon!”

Glasgow Zine Library moves to Albert Road Glasgow Zine Library are readying themselves for a summer opening at their new haunt on Albert Road. A successful crowdfunder, along with match funding means they have been able to make the space accessible, while Bungo Sign Co and Paints of Ladder gave the shopfront a new look.

GZL was previously located on Cathcart Road but the library has outgrown the space as their collection of zines (self-published magazines) has grown to over 2000. The new space will also have a designated room for its library, a design studio and a large room exclusively for workshops.

Share an object that means something to you Last year Greater Govanhill partnered up with photographer Morwenna Kearsly to photograph objects that are dear to our readers alongside the stories that make them significant.

We’re running the second part of the project, and want your stories. Do you have something that you want to share? To take part, fill out the online form at greatergovanhill.com/objects or email hello@greatergovanhill.com.

More frequent trains on the Cathcart circle Services have increased in the new May 2023 timetable.

Weekdays from the 22nd May, there are now 11 services, up from the previous 6. ScotRail have said that, subject to sufficient drivers completing their training, this will be increased to an hourly service from December.

Big Noise celebrate 10 years in Govanhill

Big Noise Govanhill will mark its 10 year anniversary with a concert from talented young musicians. The concert on the 14th of June will be a musical celebration of the programme and its success in supporting young people through instruments, songs and supportive relationships.

The programme runs in primary and secondary schools as well as nurseries across Scotland with 1200 regular participants in Govanhill. Big Noise Govanhill kicked off celebrations by performing side by side with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in April. This follows a trip some of the young people took to India to perform a Concert for Friendship.

The Govanhill Go-Kart Challenge New local charity, the Next Step 4 U will soon be announcing details of a go-kart challenge open to charities, schools and local organisations. The aim will be to build and race a wooden go-kart, with prizes for the winners. For more info, email ddoren4713@gmail.com 5

roma news and views

S L O VA K

Romano Lav interview Tomas - the backcourt gardener

Romano Lav rozhovor s Tomáš - záhradníkom na dvore

Slovak Roma Tomas and his mum Vera have created a garden in their backcourts where they grow fruits, vegetables and flowers. Tomas has a vision impairment which makes his eyes extremely sensitive to light – however this does not stop him gardening. We headed to his garden to find out more…

Slovenský Róm Tomáš a jeho mama Vera si vo svojom dvore vytvorili záhradku, kde pestujú ovocie, zeleninu a kvety.

Tomáš má poruchu zraku, kvôli čomu sú jeho oči mimoriadne citlivé na svetlo – to mu však neprekáža v záhradkárčení.

Zamierili sme tam, aby sme sa dozvedeli viac…

Can you tell us a little bit about your gardening?

Môžete nám povedať niečo o vašej záhrade?

What do you like about gardening?

Čo ťa baví na záhradkárstve?

Interview by Dorota Gombarova and Toni Bruce

Tomas: I like to garden and grow, but at the moment I don’t really have the right tools for it.

T: I like planting things for people to see and be happy.

I’ve been gardening for three years now.

Why did you start?

T: I just wanted my garden to look nice. There was a lot of broken stuff here. We just wanted to clean it up and make it look nice and grow plants.

How long did it take to clean up the rubbish?

Vera: It took a long time, we had to take things one by one out of the garden, cleaning took a while and we got help from our neighbours, Nina and Katie. Tomas is out every day, looking at the plants, cleaning the front and the back. Raining or not, he’s outside! His eyesight may not be good but he still does it.

What sort of things do you like to grow?

T: Flowers, potatoes, onions, other vegetables – but I mainly like to plant flowers.

Why do you prefer to plant flowers?

V: We planted a lot of flowers in Slovakia, we wanted to bring them here as well. From a very young age Tomas would come with me and help with the garden and growing vegetables.

From when he was about eight years old.

What do you do with the vegetables you grow?

T: We cook with them, different dishes with chicken and potatoes in particular.

V: We’ve done everything here ourselves, we’re happy with people helping us. Sometimes other people don’t respect what we’re doing.

Now that we’ve done all this, fixed the garden up, and people just keep staring at us from the windows: ‘Oh it’s ‘them’ doing that. It’s Slovaks doing that, we thought they’re not that clean’. So we are changing people’s minds about us.

Do you think it would be better if more people had gardens like yours?

V: Yes it would be good if more people did this. But I think people would say: ‘Oh, it’s not my garden, I don’t have to look after it’.

How do you change people’s minds?

V: If they have it clean in their house, they should have it in their garden as well!

Rozhovor Dorota Gombarova a Toni Bruce

Tomáš: Rád záhradujem a pestujem, ale momentálne na to nemám vhodné náradie.

T: Rád pestujem veci, aby ich ľudia videli a boli šťastní.

Záhradníctvu sa venujem už 3 roky.

Prečo ste začali?

T: Chcel som len, aby moja záhrada vyzerala pekne. Bolo tu veľa rozbitých vecí. Chceli sme to len vyčistiť, aby to vyzeralo pekne a pestovať rastliny.

Ako dlho trvalo upratovanie odpadkov?

Vera: Trvalo to dlho, museli sme zo záhrady vynášať veci jednu po druhej, upratovanie trvalo a pomohli nám susedky Nina a Katie. Tomáš je každý deň vonku, obzerá si rastlinky, čistí spredu aj zozadu. Prší alebo nie, je vonku! Jeho zrak nemusí byť dobrý, ale stále to robí.

Aké veci najradšej pestujete?

T: Kvety, zemiaky, cibuľa, iná zelenina – ale ja najradšej sadím kvety.

Prečo radšej pestujete kvety?

V: na Slovensku sme vysadili veľa kvetov, chceli sme to priniesť aj sem. Od malička so mnou chodil Tomáš a pomáhal so záhradou a pestovaním zeleniny. Odkedy mal asi 8 rokov.

Čo robíte so zeleninou, ktorú pestujete?

T: Varíme s nimi, najmä rôzne jedlá s kuracím mäsom a zemiakmi.

V: Všetko sme si tu robili sami, sme radi, že nám ľudia pomáhajú.

Niekedy iní ľudia nerešpektujú to, čo robíme. Teraz, keď sme to všetko urobili, upravili sme záhradu a ľudia na nás stále pozerali z okien. Ach, to robia „oni“. Robia to Slováci, mysleli sme si, že nie sú až takí čistotní.

Takže meníme názory ľudí na nás.

Myslíte si, že by bolo lepšie, keby viac ľudí malo záhrady ako vy?

V: Áno, bolo by dobré, keby to urobilo viac ľudí. Ale myslím si, že ľudia by povedali - Ach, to nie je moja záhrada, nemusím sa o ňu starať.

Ako meníte myslenie ľudí?

V: Keď to majú doma čisté, mali by to mať aj na záhrade!

My Life Before Govanhill

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

SAUDI ARABIA OMAN ERITREA

YEMEN Sana’a

NOHA AL-MAGHAFI

ETHIOPIA

SOMALIA

Interview by Marzanna Antoniak

How would you describe your cultural heritage?

I identify as both Yemeni and British as I spent most of my childhood in Sana’a (Yemen’s capital) and London.

They are both big cities but each has its own individuality and character, and they both taught me a lot about the disparities between the standard of living in a wealthy country like the UK compared to a country like Yemen, known as the poorest in the Middle East.

Ever since moving out of my mum's flat in West London, I started to realise that I needed to be more intentional about integrating my Yemeni culture into my life, especially as I live with my partner who’s from elsewhere.

I’ve placed items that remind me of Yemen all around my house and more recently I’ve learnt to cook a lot of my favourite Yemeni dishes. This has worked very well and has assured me that connecting with my cultural heritage is something that I want to continue and expand on.

What about your working life?

I have had several jobs, including in many retail stores, but also had the opportunity to work on larger projects as a translator and researcher for BBC Arabic. Recently, I worked at the Scottish Refugee Council which was a challenging, but eye-opening role. Despite studying my master’s degree in migration, it is only through experience that I was able to understand how badly the UK immigration systems affect people. Now I work at Migrant Voice, and I work on new music at the same time.

How did you enjoy spending your time as a child and what gives you pleasure now?

I have always been interested in art. Growing up, I loved to draw and I did it very often. I was generally a quiet kid, so I preferred activities that let me be in my own little world. Drawing, painting, and making music all allowed for that. This was also important because I have a big family and there was always a lot going on, which I did really enjoy, too. I have fond memories of going to the parks in London with family and our friends on Eid, as well as making up dance routines to Arabic songs and photo collages with my cousins in Yemen. These days, I enjoy making music and all forms of art, which I started sharing in 2018 on my Instagram page @intibint.

What made you come to Scotland?

Being in nature is something that I value a lot! Whilst I loved London, I did constantly find myself feeling a little bit lost in this big and busy concrete jungle and I didn’t enjoy that too much. Ever since I first visited Scotland and got to see the beautiful nature it had to offer, I told myself that one day I would move here.

How do you feel in Govanhill?

I love it. I love how multicultural it is. It’s great to hear multiple languages walking down Victoria Road where I can find all the ingredients for my Yemeni food.

What about your education?

I went to school in the UK, Yemen, and Switzerland. It was challenging because I moved school at least once every three years, but it also means that I got to learn three languages well and gained insights about life in different places. It’s important to learn about how things function outside of the places we know and how what we do impacts other parts of the world, especially if you live in the West. This has all been part of my education growing up. As an adult, I attended the University of Sussex and studied media practice. Later, I went to SOAS University of London to study Migration Mobility and Development.

I really enjoyed both and feel extremely lucky to have been able to take them.

What is your dream?

This may sound cliché, but it is world peace. It would be nice to finally go home to Yemen without fear, and be able to actually visualise a life there. I always saw myself moving back there after university, but then the war started during my second year and I haven’t been back since. It really would be a dream come true to be on a flight home to a peaceful Yemen whilst sharing that feeling and experience with all the other people whose homelands have been suffering too.

7

BEHIND THE PORTRAIT Trackie Mcleod

Portrait by Simon Murphy Interview by Rhiannon J Davies

1

Trackie Mcleod is making waves right now in the contemporary art world. His own experiences of growing up queer and working class in Glasgow are reflected in his work.

Bold colours and reimagined iconography are staples of his mixed-media work which feature familiar phrases. His Trainwreck billboard last year poked fun at the Tory government with a Trainspotting poster mock-up featuring the cast of recent leaders. In the works are a brand collaboration on a clothing line and a potential exhibition in London. Find him on Instagram @trackiemcleod This photo forms part of Simon Murphy’s Govanhill series. Follow @smurph77 for more.

Art wasn’t something that I really grew up with. Being a full time artist never seemed feasible.

Now that I’m able to do that, it’s exciting.

When I first applied to go to Glasgow School of Art, I was unsuccessful. That spurred me on more. I was like ‘I’m coming back next year and I will get in this time’.

Being able to have a finger in lots of different pies, and do a bit of everything is really important. I don’t just do graphic design, I tap into photography, video, sculpture. Not staying in one lane is important to me.

It’s been a slow burner to get where I’m at just now. But now it’s like, ‘just run, just keep going, see what happens’.

I tap into humour quite a lot. And my work is quite Scottish-centric, touching on things like masculinity, class, sexuality. They are important themes in my work.

My work that takes the piss out of British culture is what people engage with most. Work that’s nostalgic, humorous and rooted in Glasgow.

Translating my work beyond Scottish audiences is something I’m still working out. My work is rooted in my lived experience so I think Scottish people definitely resonate with it more.

I want to be around my people. My plan was to move to London but there’s so much going on in Glasgow and in Scotland that I’m fine here just now. Maybe one day I’ll test the water somewhere else.

Scottish people have carved out their own sense of humour. That’s why Scottish patter videos go viral on TikTok or Instagram. It’s silly and down to earth and what Glasgow’s about.

I did the Trainwreck billboard last year as a way to get my work out there. I worried if I’d done the right thing, but the reaction I got back was amazing. It felt aesthetically on brand for me to do that.

I’m more inspired by celebrity culture, music, and funny stories you hear on the bus than artists. It’s a melting pot of inspiration from the people in places I’m surrounded by rather than any one thing.

It can be quite nerve wracking to put work out there for other queer people to be like ‘I’ve felt like that’. It opens up a conversation.

It’s really important for my work to make a statement. It can be serious or silly, but I want it to be understood. Understood – that’s the word.

I can’t deal with high conceptual art that people feel left out of. I want people to be involved in it in some sort of way.

A lot of my work references the late nineties and early noughties. And a lot of vocabulary is taken from the things my parents used to watch. So I think people my age and older get it.

I always want to make sure art is accessible. So there are always stickers and t-shirts and prints, even when I’m doing bigger work.

Instagram can be horrible at times, but it’s a good platform to share my work. I’ve been lucky to work with some really cool brands. It makes my life easier as I can put some of me into it and it keeps me ticking over.

The advice I’d give to others is to get amongst it. Stick to your guns and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Don’t be scared to ask people. Throw everything at it.

Try and make your own community. I made mine through my chosen family. It’s important to have people around you who will support you as much as you do them.

I’m taking everything as it comes. I’m still making a name for myself. I’m still at the beginning.

Volunteer Spotlight Jenny Watt

Southside Death Cafe As told to Melanie Goldberg Portrait by Audrey Bizouerne

I

n truth, I have absolutely no idea why I’m so interested in death. I guess it probably comes from that interest in people’s different views on spirituality, what their processes and celebrations look like, and coming at it from more of a world religion side of things.

It’s more about who that person is, what their family situation is, what things are important to them and what are some of the things that are getting in the way of them having the best life possible. It’s more on the spiritual care side of things than the medical care side of things.

When I was 14 and looking to do work experience, I thought an interesting place to do it would be the children’s hospice. There were lots of complications, so I ended up not being able to, but ever since I have been interested in talking with people who are dealing with death, dying and grief. I was also curious about the beliefs and customs of cultures when it comes to these topics, so instead of going down the medical path, I chose to study philosophy to give me the opportunity to explore this further.

During lockdown, I got an email from my old university, St Andrews, saying that they were having an online death cafe.

It sounded interesting so I joined in for about 18 months before they moved back to face to face.

I decided that I wanted to have something similar that I could go to locally. I knew there were some such cafes set up in Glasgow at different times through different organisations, but there weren’t any current cafes that I could see on the Death Cafe website. I was speaking to my colleagues and convincing them that we needed one for the health board, so we set up an online death cafe which launched last year. I also met someone who works at a hospice and was really interested in it, so we decided to set up a more regular one at Finn’s place. It’s been going since November on a regular basis.

One of the reasons why I like running the Death Cafe is because no one’s going to be shocked that we’re suddenly discussing death. People will come along and know that they’re going to hear the word death, and that we’re going to be talking about things that might stir up emotions. It’s also just a safe space for some people to sit and process feelings.

I think this is a really powerful environment to create.

Death Cafes also give people the opportunity to speak about some of the practical things like Power of Attorney, making wills and planning funerals as they often come up

in conversation. We tried to create even more opportunities for people to discuss these things by hosting lots of events through Demystifying Death Week (an annual week of activities across Scotland at the start of May). We ran sessions on how to donate your body to science, and even one about what stories and songs you might want for your funeral.

We also ran a session on ‘how to host a death cafe’ and, really, my hope is that people see that they don’t need to be an expert, all they need to be able to do is confidently sit in a room while people experience emotion and not be completely terrified of that. Managing that is the biggest hurdle. Then it’s about finding a community space that works, and that could even just be a cafe. Then we can build up that momentum and more people start to come along.

In the future I’d like to do more. I want to use our public buildings for public use and have those conversations. That’s what I think would be really nice, to be able to have enough death cafes so that no one’s having to travel hours and fork out loads for transport costs – it’s there, it’s local, and it’s at a time that suits them. Really, the more death cafes and the more choices people have, I think the better.

Jenny’s next cafe is on Thursday 8th June, 7.30pm in June at Finn’s Place, Langside Church 10

like my grandmother used to make

Frijoles de Olla: Mexican Black Beans Words and photos by Teresa Baños 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 diverse make-up of the neighbourhood.

In this series, we ask people to provide a recipe that tastes like home.

Got a recipe to share?

Get in touch: hello@greatergovanhill.com

Along with maize, beans are one of the most essential components of Mexican cuisine, and they were a big part of my upbringing. So when I first arrived in Scotland and was met by the baked beans you have here, I didn’t quite know what to do with myself. I don’t mean to hate on baked beans, I know they’re a beloved staple but I just can’t get into the sweet, sticky, tomatoey sauce when I’ve been raised with Mexican beans. So this recipe is my response to the baked bean, not in an attempt to discourage anyone from enjoying baked beans, but to present you with a new way to love beans.

If you open the fridge door in any Mexican household, you’re almost guaranteed to find a large tupperware of beans like these. They’re nutritious, they’re comforting, and they’re incredibly versatile: whether providing a hearty base, as protagonists of a dish, or as faithful companions… These beans can do it all! My beans of choice are black beans, I just love how savoury and rich they are. This recipe is more like a few recipes in one, with a key recipe for the beans and a few ideas of different ways to enjoy them.

Frijoles de Olla Ingredients • • • •

2 cans black beans in water ½ brown onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 vegetarian stock cube

• Pinch of sweet smoked paprika • Pinch of salt • 1-2 tbsp of neutral oil of your choice

Method

1. Heat oil in a saucepan and add onion, as well as a pinch of salt.

2. Fry on a medium heat until translucent.

3. Add in minced garlic and fry for about a minute (or until the colour starts to deepen).

4. Add in both cans of beans, crumble the stock cube into the pan, and add the paprika.

5. Let the beans simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the liquid thickens up a bit. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

How to Enjoy Them On their own Serve beans into a bowl and top with chopped coriander, chillies, or crumbly cheese (like feta).

With rice Blend around ½ an onion and 1 clove of garlic per 2 people into the amount of water you’d use when making rice for 2 people. Cook the rice following your favourite method/recipe. Once cooked, serve a few scoops of black beans with the rice (whether you mix them together or serve them side by side is up to you!)

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Scrambled eggs In a pan, scramble 1-2 eggs per person, and once they are cooked to your preferred level of doneness, add 1-2 big spoonfuls of black beans (and their liquid) to the pan, mixing them with the eggs. Serve with toast or tortillas.

Refried beans Heat a splash of neutral oil in a frying pan, and add a few spoonfuls of black beans. Mash the beans until smooth(ish) using a potato masher. Refried beans are great as a dip or put them in your favourite sandwiches, molletes (a type of open sandwich in Mexico) and quesadillas.

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Can foraging help us feel connected?

By Rhys Delany • Illustration by Sasha Delmage Translation by Juliana Da Penha

L

iving in a city as busy as Glasgow can often make us feel disconnected to nature which can have a negative impact on our mood. Yet the Mental Health Foundation has found how our personal ‘connectedness’ with nature can lead to a stronger sense of personal happiness.

In recent years, the NHS has also seen the benefit of being outdoors for our mental health. Social prescribing is the idea of making people more active in their lives without relying on antidepressant medication. These schemes see GPs prescribing outdoor activities such as group walks and gardening as a way to improve our social lives and physical fitness – and consequently our health.

But this goes further than just fresh air and exercise; just as important to our reconnection is listening to birdsong, touching the bark of trees, smelling flowers, and foraging, an activity that has grown in popularity in the last few years.

After the Covid pandemic, those living in homes without a garden found local urban green spaces like parks, public gardens and riversides to be invaluable. The act of seeking food in the wild really taps into our core instincts. Looking, listening, smelling and tasting the local plant life can benefit us in multiple ways. With various people running foraging walks around Govanhill, I decided to give one a try.

Jemima Hall is an artist and ancestral skills teacher. I joined her for a walk where she spoke of the importance of spring as a time that both our bodies and nature reawaken from winter.

Trees and flowers begin to blossom, as do vital greens that our ancestors would have snacked upon.

She showed us where to find garlic mustard and ground elder, plants that grow in abundance in Queen’s Park and are easily identifiable by their spines and veins. She explained how many of these plants and trees can have medicinal qualities such as the anxiety-relieving hawthorn and the vitamin and mineral rich stinging nettle.

Jemima relayed the importance of birch leaves and bark, how when brewed into tea can clear sinus congestion, reduce inflammation and alleviate a headache. Likewise, the sap which is filled with magnesium, potassium and calcium can cleanse our liver, promote healthier skin and improve our wellbeing.

“I think when you’re outside, and surrounded by green and the sound of birds it connects something primal within us which calms our mind,” Jemima said. “There’s so many studies about that and about taking off your shoes and putting your feet in the soil – the good that it does to be earthing and grounding yourself, at an atomic level’ Jemima has seen connections made during her time leading local walks: “It’s a mix of people, different ages, men and women, sometimes kids join, sometimes dogs join and to see people connect and chat in the moments in between, it’s wonderful.”

Catriona Gibson, a medical herbalist, also runs foraging walks around the Southside. Having worked with people

suffering from mental illness and other long-term issues such as homelessness and addiction, we spoke about what she sees as the mental health benefits of being outdoors.

“Marking the seasons and being aware of the seasons, I think that helps to ground you quite a lot. In a world where it can be quite difficult to feel that in yourself, I think that’s quite a positive element in terms of mental health.”

Health Scotland reports that areas with high rates of poverty, poor housing, family conflict, unemployment, childhood adversity and chronic health problems are where mental health issues are most likely to emerge. Having Queens Park on the doorstep of Govanhill means that foraging is an activity within everyone’s reach.

However, it’s important to only ever do so with knowledge and certainty. Catriona’s walks focus more on identifying rather than picking plants. This is due to the mistakes a beginner can make. She warns for example of the poisonous hemlock, which is common in the UK and from the same family of plants as carrots, celery and parsley, but can be deadly.

I asked Catriona if we owe nature a little more respect in this regard. “I think so, and I think people can also have reactions to things and sometimes someone is just really sensitive and eats something and it’s not right for them. Foraging should be done with intention and sustainability. You need a really good ID book. And it’s like any good habits that you get into, you want to do it as little and often as possible and learn things slowly.”

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Forragear alimentos pode ajudar a nos conectar?

P O R TU G U

iver em uma cidade agitada como Glasgow pode fazer sentir desconectados com a natureza, o que pode trazer um impacto negativo no nosso ânimo. A Mental Health Foundation demonstrou como a nossa conexão com a natureza pode nos trazer um forte senso de felicidade.

Nos últimos anos, o NHS também reconheceu os benefícios de estar ao ar livre para a nossa saúde mental. A ideia da Prescrição social é fazer com que as pessoas sejam mais ativas em suas vidas sem depender de antidepressantes.

Nesses esquemas, os médicos prescrevem atividades ao ar livre como caminhadas em grupos e jardinagem como uma forma de melhorar a nossa vida social e forma física e, consequentemente a nossa saúde.

Mas isso vai além de apenas ar fresco e exercícios; tão importante para a nossa reconexão e ouvir os pássaros, tocar o casco das arvores, cheirar as flores, e forragear, uma atividade que cresceu em popularidade nos últimos anos.

Depois da pandemia de Covid-19, as pessoas que vivem em casas sem jardim reconheceram o valor inestimável de espaços verdes urbanos como parques, jardins públicos e beira de rios. O ato de procurar comida na natureza explora realmente os nossos instintos. Olhando, ouvindo, cheirando e experimentando as plantas locais pode nos beneficiar de muitas maneiras. Vendo muitas pessoas organizando caminhadas de forrageio, eu decidi experimentar.

Jemima Hall é uma artista e professora de habilidades ancestrais. Eu me juntei a ela numa caminhada onde ela falou sobre a importância da primavera, como uma época em que tanto os nossos corpos como a natureza despertam do inverno. Arvores e flores começam a florescer, assim como as verduras vitais que nossos ancestrais teriam comido.

Ela nos mostrou onde encontrar mostarda de alho e sabugueiro, plantas que crescem em abundância no Queens Park e são facilmente identificáveis por seus espinhos e veias. Ela explicou quantas dessas plantas e arvores podem ter propriedades medicinais, como o espinheiro que alivia a ansiedade e a urtiga rica em vitaminas e mineirais Jemima falou sobre a importância das folhas e casca da bétula, quando transformada em cha, pode limpar a congestão sinusal, reduzir a inflamação e aliviar a dor de cabeça. Da mesma forma, a seiva, que e rica em magnésio, potássio e cálcio, pode limpar o nosso fígado, promover uma pele mais saudável e melhorar o nosso bem-estar.

“Acho que quando estamos ao ar livre, cercados de verde e com o som dos pássaros, isso nos conecta a algo primitivo dentro de nós, que acalma a nossa mente”, disse Jemima.

“Existem muitos estudos sobre isso e sobre tirar os sapatos e colocar os pés no solo - o bem que faz estar ligado a terra e se enraizar, em um nível atômico”.

Jemima presenciou conexões que se estabeleceram durante o tempo em que conduziu caminhadas locais. “É uma mistura de pessoas, de diferentes idades, homens e mulheres, às vezes crianças participam, às vezes cães participam e ver as pessoas se conectarem e conversarem nos momentos intermediários é maravilhoso.”

Assim como Jemima, Catriona Gibson, uma médica fitoterapeuta, também realiza caminhadas de coleta de alimentos na região Sul. Tendo trabalhado com pessoas que sofrem de doenças mentais e outros problemas de longo prazo, como falta de moradia e dependência química, conversamos sobre o que ela considera serem os benefícios para a saúde mental o ato de estar ao ar livre.

“Eu acho que marcar e estar ciente das estações do ano, ajuda muito a se fundamentar. Em um mundo em que pode ser muito difícil sentir isso em si mesmo, esse é um elemento bastante positivo em termos de saúde mental.”

A Health Scotland relata que as áreas com altos índices de pobreza, moradia precária, conflito familiar, desemprego, adversidade na infância e problemas crônicos de saúde são as que têm maior probabilidade de apresentar problemas de saúde mental. Ter o Queens Park na porta de Govanhill significa que a coleta de alimentos é uma atividade ao alcance de todos.

No entanto, é importante fazer isso apenas com conhecimento e certeza. As caminhadas de Catriona se concentram mais na identificação do que na colheita de plantas. Isso se deve aos erros que um iniciante pode cometer. Ela alerta, por exemplo, sobre a cicuta venenosa, que é comum no Reino Unido e pertence à mesma família de plantas que a cenoura, o aipo e a salsa, mas pode ser mortal.

Perguntei a Catriona se devemos à natureza um pouco mais de respeito nesse sentido. “Acho que sim, e acho que as pessoas também podem ter reações às coisas e, às vezes, alguém é muito sensível e come algo que não é adequado para si. A coleta de alimentos deve ser feita com intenção e sustentabilidade. Você precisa de um livro de identificação muito bom. E é como qualquer outro bom hábito que você adquire, você quer fazê-lo o mínimo e com a maior frequência possível e aprender as coisas lentamente.”

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ESE

Growing E Through the Cracks

By Flora Zajicek Photos by Dylan Lombard

ach spring, I always look for the natural world climbing up around me. I grew up in the middle of a moor and somehow, especially now that I live in a city, bearing witness to the seasons feels like a way to ground myself in the bigger scheme of things.

I take great joy in seeing a single poppy rear its petals and hairy stem from between two pavement slabs, or a dandelion springing up from a crack in a concrete wall. It doesn’t last long, the yellow petals puff up into seeds and the wind blows them off in great gusts.

But these little flecks of colour humble us as humans, they remind us of nature’s resilience and defiance in spite of the walls, lawn mowers and the weed killers we’re so obsessed with. For me, a deep inhale of a bluebell woodland can soothe me and help get everything in perspective.

This got me wondering… what are the tangible impacts of wild and green spaces in cities? How do they impact our health – and the health of our natural world?

There is an accumulating list of scientific studies that have demonstrated the various benefits of green spaces on peoples’ health; access to green space is related to lower mortality from cardiovascular disease, lower levels of obesity, and of type two diabetes. Having greenspace nearby has been associated with lower rates of various mental health conditions too, such as depression and anxiety. Accessing nature and green spaces has even been shown to help us sleep better through the night.

The mounting evidence that demonstrates this link between a connection to nature and our mental and physical wellbeing led to an innovative collaboration between the RSPB and various GP practices. In 2018, GPs in Shetland became the first in the UK to prescribe nature to patients suffering from diabetes, mental illness, stress, heart disease and anxiety. This trial rolled out to its first urban setting in Edinburgh where more than 74 percent of patients said they benefited from their prescription and 87 percent of people said that they would continue to use nature to support their health and wellbeing. Now, nature prescribing is used across Scotland, including Glasgow, and alongside other health interventions, your GP might offer you a prescription leaflet and a seasonal calendar of ideas and suggestions to help you connect with nature.

The Gaelic speakers among you will know that ‘Glasgow’ in Gaelic (Glaschu) is commonly translated to mean ‘the dear green place’. Green is only part of the story, though. If you’re reading this from somewhere local you are probably used to some of the beautiful landscaped gems such as Queen’s Park, and Pollok Country Park, or even the Hidden Gardens. But there are plenty of other, smaller dear spaces that are tucked away, sometimes forgotten and left to grow wild.

One project across the UK is trying to build a network of pollinator friendly routes so that bees and insects can survive, even in urban areas. B-Lines is attempting to restore pathways for pollinators whose habitats have been destroyed due to industrial farming or urbanisation. Even though humans have been living in urban environments for 6000 years, we’ve only become majority city-dwellers in the last decade. This rapid urban expansion along with industrial farming, has been enormously destructive of our pollinators and our meadowlands which have decreased over the UK by 97 percent since the 1940s.

Research has shown that the existence of green spaces alone are not a measure of a healthy natural space, but it’s the quality of the space for insects and pollinators that matters. In Scotland,

the number of flying insects has dropped by nearly 30 percent in the last 20 years. For our outside spaces to be doing the best they can, both for human health and the health of the natural world, they need to be left more wild, with all colours of plants growing to encourage all kinds of pollinators.

In other words, a verge full of wild flowers might do more good for the birds and the bees than a whole recreation ground of grass. And it’s not just the wildlife that benefits. One study has shown that people respond more positively to more biodiverse green spaces (such as meadows) than mown grassland. So what are we doing about that here in Glasgow?

Our Dear Green Spaces

Various projects around Govanhill have demonstrated creative and community-strengthening ways to improve your local green spaces for humans and nature. Planters in Govanhill and Shawlands have been put out to improve public spaces both for people and insects.

The Transylvania Coffee and Shop on Victoria Road are known locally for the work they put into keeping the surrounding environment clean. There is a colourful display of flowers and trees outside, both for bees and the people. Co-owner, Daniel Radu said: “When we moved here we saw so many bees but they had no food, so we started planting flowers to give them something to eat. Daniel has a deep love of flowers and nature having learned their names on his family farm as a boy in Romania. He describes nature as “food for the soul” and scatters seeds along walks sometimes, taking great pride in trees he’s nurtured from saplings.

On Albert Drive, a group of residents transformed an unused corner that was accumulating rubbish with a grant from Sustrans as part of the South City Way. There’s a wee sitooterie now complete with raised beds. Cat Hotchkiss 4 Albert Drive Residents Associations said it’s made a world of difference: “The benefits of a community garden that I’ve observed whilst milling around with my fingers in the soil are many. It provides a meeting place, a spot for people to rest, and to bump into neighbours. I’ve seen people with heavy bags or mobility aids resting on their way to and from the shops, nappies being changed, babies being breastfed. Kids have joined me to litter pick and plant seeds, families stop for ice cream, staff take their break. I’ve seen punctures being fixed, seeds collected, picnics shared, books read, break ups, dates, flat meetings, card games, tantrums, play dates and stretching runners.

“Although we all love Queen’s Park I want to see more green spaces and more variety in the type of free public seating we can enjoy – the more corners of the city that we can make our own, free, and accessible the more exciting it makes the city to me. Personally, I have got to know so many more of my neighbours over the years since beginning the garden. People pass by and chat in a way they wouldn’t if we regularly crossed paths in the park or behind a gated garden. It’s difficult to put into words how important that feels.”

In Pollokshields, Tramway are also working to create new beautiful, usable outdoor spaces. The

project is part of their Tramway Beyond Walls, which grew out of the need to take art out into the surrounding communities. Funded by the Art Fund, they have worked with the local community to reimagine two outdoor spaces. Stepping Stone Park and Turtle Park are both green spaces on Leslie Street at the end of tenement rows. Previous plans to develop on these spaces were resisted by the Leslie Street Greenspaces Group and the council redesignated them as parks.

Alexander Storey Gordon, assistant curator at Tramway said: “We decided to work with different artists to create park infrastructure that sits between functional park benches and sculpture, reusing materials. We wanted to think about how communities might feel more ownership of them, and provide a resource for nature. We’re also interested in creating pollinator pathways that bridges green spaces. We also plan on working with local schools to develop projects around planting and gardening.

“Projects like these transform nooks and crannies of our concrete landscape into something fruitful and in the process, build communities of humans and insects alike. Health and wellbeing is not just a walk in the park, if we really mean it, both for us and our natural world, it means getting our fingers in the earth, sowing seeds, and nurturing our communities of living beings at a truly grassroots level.”

g n i d l i u y B t i n u m s l e m e o h C W r u on Fo

“T

By Samar Jamal Photos by Alexander Hoyles

he best feeling in the world is landing a trick.” Lynsay is a skater from Glasgow, who like so many began skating during the pandemic and has been addicted ever since. The above quote may sound like a cliche, but watching them skate, you can tell this isn't an exaggeration.

When everything shut down during the pandemic, a need to reconnect with the outdoors and carve out moments of normality led to some of us challenging ourselves on a four-wheeled plank of wood.

The necessity for accessible and safe green spaces for the sake of physical and mental wellbeing also became significantly more apparent during lockdown. Spending on green spaces may have reduced, but with Queen’s Park on our doorstep, Govanhill still boasts plenty of outdoor room. Concerns arise however when purpose built spaces are not maintained or are not built with users in mind.

Queens Park Skate Park & Vert, also known as ‘The Recs’ (or sometimes ‘The Wrecks’) is an example of this. Despite being included as one of the main features of Queens Park in Glasgow City’s Development Plan for 2017-2018, the conditions of the park’s ramps and famous skate vert have stayed very poor and the space doesn’t meet the needs of the skaters.

Someone who isn't familiar with skate culture may struggle to understand what a space that meets the needs of a skater looks like, and why it's necessary. But as someone reasonably new to the activity, it became evident to me early on that although skating is an individual sport, there is an overwhelming sense of community around it.

Whether that feeling comes from the friends you skate with or the encouragement and praise you get from strangers at the park. The experience that comes with skating can feel as meaningful as skating itself. So when skate parks, like The Recs, are made without spaces to sit and socialise, you aren’t able to create connections and enjoy the social aspect. This might explain why the bandstand has become such a popular skating spot.

Queer Skate Collective is one of the groups that provide a social, inclusive and sober skating space for all queer folk.

Lynsay one of the people behind the collective, explained how they first got started: “Essentially, I had always been interested in skateboarding, it had always had a presence in my life, primarily through my brother who used to skate with his friends. He had a skateboard in the house and I would sit on it on my bum and try to roll down a hill on it.”

16

is located in the north of the city often floods during the winter months making the ground impossible to skate on.

Patricia, a skater who grew up in the Southside says that the DIY element plays a large role in a parks popularity: “When I skated a lot I would go to Archies, those kind of DIY skate parks are popular because it's a group of skaters who have built it for everyone and I think because it's DIY it attracts lots of people because people are into that stuff.”

Skating is an activity that embodies self-expression and fluidity and DIY culture grants the space to do this.

Simultaneously, it is one of serious grit and determination and has recently become more recognised as a competitive sport as it was introduced in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

However, this wouldn’t have been possible without athletes having safe, free and local space to begin skating.

The Recs is a designated space in the local community that has the potential for improvement. For many new skaters in the Southside, it could be the spot that nurtures their talents and gives them a chance to land their first trick. Although it is lacking in many ways there are reliable solutions to transform it and ensure it doesn’t remain neglected.

Skaters and non-skaters alike are seeking repairs to be carried out at the park. A Change.org petition, urging the council to repair the park was set up last year and has reached over 300 signatures. One of the supporters wrote that the park “is a very valuable asset for the community.”

Lynsay shares their vision for The Recs: “The council could make it a community project made by people who want to build. When people build these spaces they are more connected to them and more likely to care about them. Community needs to be at the heart of the space.”

Despite the skating scene feeling quite intimidating and being largely saturated with cishet men, lockdown finally gave Lynsay the time and encouragement to begin the sport. They have now been passionately skating for three years and feel that it has a massively positive impact on their mental wellbeing: “Skateboarding, and having a community that I’m part of, has a massive role to play in my mental health. It makes me feel connected to my body, it’s literally like dancing. When I’m not able to do it, it’s like this massive part of my life is missing and I’m longing for that. It’s good for your soul.”

You’ll find skaters like Lynsay all across Glasgow. They are a creative bunch who will find a spot and set up shop if they see it has the potential to land a trick. Often this is by choice as skating defies the conventional purposes of the city. Arbitrary objects like the benches or stairs at Langside Hall are transformed into skating obstacles through a simple grind or ollie. Equally, it can be the result of their local skate park becoming neglected and being unsuitable to skate on. The Recs is a prime example of this.

The area is littered with broken glass and the asphalt is rough, making it painful to fall on and difficult for a beginner to practise. In 2021, Skateboarding Scotland (Scotland’s official skateboarding body) alongside skaters, reported the condition of one of the obstacles to the council.

Initially, like much of the park, it had been mended by skaters but eventually required professional repair so they reported it to the council for it to be fixed. Niall was one of the skaters that raised the issue: “There was a small set of ramps that were falling into disrepair that people used quite a lot. A bunch of people requested that repairs be done and the council came and ripped it out.”

The removal of the ramps was an attempt to make the park safer. In reality, they have been replaced with a sizable area of broken ground. And the park has been left with one less obstacle, making even more unappealing for users.

Commenting on the condition, a spokesperson from Glasgow City Council said: “The metal equipment is nearing the end of its life and will require to be renewed, but we inspect the equipment regularly to ensure it remains safe to use at this time.

Renewal of the equipment is beyond our current resources.”

Where The Recs has failed, Kingston DIY and the Archies DIY have triumphed. These are both skateparks that have been built by skaters themselves and, unsurprisingly, meet the needs of their users. They include spaces for skaters to sit and socialise and an array of simple yet effective obstacles that provide for hours of fun.

The parks are also adorned with graffiti and represents the culture of urban sports.

Kingston DIY was also built alongside a community garden that fosters care and respect. The idea for a park under a motorway evolved from lockdown as the only indoor skating area (The Loading Bay in Port Dundas) was closed due to restrictions. Built under a canopy under the M8 motorway, Kingston DIY was created by local skaters who saw the potential for the area and spent their time and money transforming it from a dumping ground, into a safe skateable park for users of all abilities. But without the support of the council and professional builders, these areas do have some shortcomings. The Archies DIY, which 17

“I think a lot of the best skating places are those that haven’t been done by the council but by skaters themselves. Or DIY spots that haven’t been designed for skating like the bandstand or Langside Halls.”

Lois

“Not only can you skate in all these parks, including the DIY ones, but you’re also meeting so many new people… you always feel safe and people are always trying to help you if you don’t know how to skateboard.”

Patricia

“It’s been the most intuitive and straightforward way to meet people in my area and have a deep connection to the place. And it’s shown me a very broad range of perspective of the area and its history in a very expansive way.”

Niall 18

Transformative spaces like Kingston DIY and the Archies DIY are inspiring similar projects, such as the Devon Street Urban Park.

Located in the Southside in a vacant space under the M74 motorway and Devon Street, the project hopes to revamp the area into an urban sports park with a green space for public events.

It is managed by Glasgow Urban Sport and consultations for the project are underway.

The project will be developed collaboratively with the public, who will be asked to review design proposals, to ensure that the space is created with consideration for everyone’s needs.

Rob Cusson from GUS said: “The project has the potential to enhance the sense of community and quality of life for people living in an area currently dominated by one of Scotland’s major motorways. The Urban Sports Park would create a new high-quality area of public realm, and a new landmark focal point within the Southside of the city, that encourages all generations to freely exercise and enjoy themselves within a vibrant and stimulating space.”

The design of the park aims to meet a growing demand for urban sports, and will also incorporate space for public art, events and green spaces – ensuring a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of people living in the surrounding communities.

A spokesperson from Glasgow City Council said that they are working towards a similar collaborative avenue: “The local area partnership has allocated funding from the Parks and Open Spaces Fund to commission a feasibility study that will include engagement with the local skating community, design work and input from a specialist supplier. The feasibility study will provide a detailed basis for bids to be made to the range of external funding sources that exist, including the crowdfunding option available through My Park Scotland.”

There have been no additional details of when the study will be rolled out, but it’s clear local skaters are eager to support the transformation of the space. Collaborative community action between residents and the council could grant The Recs the much needed resources it requires and see it serve the needs of the community for years to come.

Glossary COPING: The metal pipe that runs across the edge of a ramp or other skate obstacle.

GRIND: A motion that involves any part of the skateboard, other than the wheels, sliding across a rail, edge of an object, or coping on a ramp.

OLLIE: A skateboarding trick where the rider snaps the tail of the board, bringing the riders and the board into the air.

How We Turned Our Whole Street into a Community Garden

As told to Jack Howse Photo by Iain Mclellan

Last spring, The People’s Pantry erected and filled 42 planters on Carfin Street. They have been used to grow different vegetables, herbs, and wildflowers, and anyone can come along to pick the produce for themselves. One year on and with their funding running out, we spoke to some of those involved.

Zem Moffat, Local Resident

I’ve lived on the street for five or six years. There’s always lots going on – the People’s Pantry is on the corner with Cathcart Road and people walk down my street with their shopping.

There’ll be people out most evenings playing football and then you’ve got those going to the doctors at Govanhill Medical Centre which backs onto the street. So you’ve got a real mix here.

Since the planters have been installed, the infrastructure of the street has really changed. Now people will have a pause on the benches beside them. The street’s being used, and not just as a car park or walkthrough.

One of the big changes I like is the randomness of encounters I experience on the street. When you are out, you will just get into random chats. Whether through gestures or shared language, people will stop and ask about what you can eat. I think that's the lovely thing about it.

Even before the planters came, I was putting plants in my little front garden. From these I’ve learned it takes time for a plant to establish in the same way it takes time for human communities to grow.

I’m not sure that Carfin Street would survive if the funding for Fi’s job went. People are busy with work and childcare. Gardening is also not easy for some of the residents. It is a big job to weed 42 planters and there should be someone who can be paid to facilitate that. We want more people to get involved but will they do it if it’s not gonna be there in September?

Fi Halliday, Growing Facilitator and Project Lead I got into gardening through community workshops. All my knowledge has come through word of mouth and peer learning. I feel quite passionately about making sure that others can learn that way too.

The project has 42 raised beds so it’s a pretty big job. We first had to get all the compost in before planting all the seedlings that we then have to water and maintain. I like to plant in succession so there’s always something growing and residents can continually harvest food throughout the year.

Aside from the weekly sessions that I facilitate, I know that folk do things off their own back and instinctively check on the beds to keep the space

tidy. A lot of the residents have so much gardening knowledge because of their background from places like South Asia and Eastern Europe where growing food is ingrained in their culture and family traditions – like the Czech guy who regularly checks on the tomatoes.

The council and the Green Action Trust gave us a big amount of funding last year, which was great. It paid for the planters to be put in, for me to run workshops and put on a summer of events. But funding guidelines meant it all had to be spent the first year.

The beauty of growing every season is you get another shot at it.

And people can develop that seasonal relationship to growing food while learning skills for life. But we can only do that if we have long term funding.

Usman, Local resident (age 8) Last year, I helped to shovel all the compost into the planters. And I’m always picking up litter. I get my friends to use the litter pickers. If they say no, I say ‘do you want to go to heaven?’. Last year I helped plant potatoes and wild flowers. But my favourite thing to pick is coriander.

I always play out the front, not the back, but the back is getting better.

My family has put out planters there too. My uncle says he’s seen the difference when he comes to visit now, he says it’s not as dirty and it’s amazing how a small thing like planters can really change the street.

Fi runs Wednesday morning sessions 10-12.

On the first Sunday of every month, volunteers set up a stall with free food from the planters and the People’s Pantry outside Lidl. If you’d like to get involved with the project or help support with any funding opportunities to keep the project going, you can contact Fi on fi@govanhillbaths.com

Fi (third from left) with some of the volunteers 19

How invasive species are threatening the local ecosystem

By Melanie Goldberg Photos by Jack Howse

Y

ou may all be familiar with the grey squirrels that swarm our parks, or the popular garden plant rhododendron that blooms huge colourful flowers, but did you know that these are both non-native species that threaten our delicate biodiversity?

The native red squirrel has been all but eradicated from Glasgow, as their grey counterparts have brought the deadly squirrelpox to the area. Giant hogweed chokes our native flora in Pollok Park, while Japanese knotweed destroys people’s homes.

Although the entire world is threatened with endangerment and destruction of their delicate biodiversity, small islands are particularly vulnerable, of which Scotland has an abundance.

Purposefully allowing invasive species to thrive in the wild has been illegal in Scotland since 1981. They can drive the loss of biodiversity, threaten native wildlife, damage ecosystems and cost a fortune to tackle.

Originally imported from the Caucasus region in Eastern Europe by 19th century horticulturalists, giant hogweed has become a blight to the integrity of Britain’s biodiversity. Each plant produces approximately 50,000 seeds a year, which can be viable for another 15-20 years, making them impossible to permanently eradicate. The sap of the plant contains phototoxins, which can result in blisters, burns, and even blindness when touched in areas where skin contact occurs.

Giant hogweed, which can be identified by its large jagged leaves and white flowers, has been identified all around the Govanhill area, with firmly established colonies growing along White Cart Water, where warning signs were put up during lockdown. The Covid lockdown halted many initiatives that were there to tackle invasive species. This, combined with the effects of climate change, have allowed giant hogweed in particular to run rampant in Scotland.

Japanese knotweed has also spread around Glasgow. Growing up to three metres in bamboo like stalks, it was first introduced to the country in the 19th century as a garden plant. It can easily destroy the integrity of entire structures and is extremely expensive and timely to tackle.

According to a survey by invasive plant specialists, Environet, there are 111 reported sightings of Japanese knotweed within four kilometres of Govanhill.

Douglas from JBB Knotweed Solutions treats invasive species all over Scotland. He told Greater Govanhill that his company has been called to the area many times to treat giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam, and more. Generally speaking, he says its the waterways that are usually overgrown with invasive species and many of the jobs they have done locally have been around the waterways in and around Govanhill.

Glasgow City Council urges anyone who sees it growing on council land to let them know. Where it is safe to do so they will then aim to minimise the risk of it spreading.

Yet there are some signs that Scotland could get a grip on the plight, and not just by using chemical pesticides. Recently, a pioneering scheme from NatureScot saw the use of black-faced sheep in controlled areas. The sheep were found to be unaffected by the toxic sap and were able to digest it without any health implications. The Aberdeenshire based scheme, which has been branded as the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative (SISI), has been hailed a success. In its fourth year running, the project has proven the effectiveness of using sheep and how using a bio approach works.

Managing these invasive species may seem like a never-ending challenge, but we all must play a part.

Being able to recognise plants like giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed could allow effective, proactive management of infested areas, protecting people’s health and livelihoods.

Mapping the Southside’s Sustainability Solutions

By Devon McCole Illustrated Map by Libby Walker

GALLANT is a five year research project trialling sustainable solutions throughout Glasgow. Researchers at Glasgow University teamed up with Open Aye CIC, a creative social enterprise that engages with communities and provides services for social and environmental change, to create the GALLANT Photo Map. The map was put together by a team of voluntary visual investigators and photographers. The team of gathered in The Community Newsroom to collaborate on the map, which displays information about sustainable projects in the area, as well as where to find them.

It also provides self-guided walking tours on themes such as discovering community energy, biodiversity and new uses for vacant land.

Becky Duncan, photographer and founder of Open Aye CIC said: “Signposting for sustainability opportunities is useful for local residents, visitors and organisations.

But perhaps the most significant aspect for me is the idea that’s been nurtured here… that collectively we can make a difference. By connecting, creating and celebrating, this project offered folk a chance to demonstrate that.”

It is a visual representation of the collective action taken by the local community in tackling the climate crisis, and aims to help the city move towards sustainability.

Ria Dunkley, a researcher and educator working on the project, said: “It's been a real privilege to work with the people who have joined us for the Open Aye photo walks, who have a fantastic variety of skills, life experience, knowledge, creativity and talents. It is a space to convene communities and be part of the solution and we hope that by getting to know neighbourhoods and people living, working and playing in them that there is a butterfly effect in terms of what we do in the photo mapping workshops.”

The map will soon be available in venues across the Southside, including at our Community Newsroom, and members of the community are encouraged to take a copy for themselves and explore the stops and trails on the map.

Grounded, rooted, growing:

the queer joys of gardening

By Dylan Beck

Queer and trans identity can mean it isn’t always comfortable to be relaxed and authentic in a gardening environment, and having groups that don’t present this barrier can be important. Dylan Beck writes on the growth of LGBTQI+ inclusive gardening groups in the Southside.

Photos by Rob Reid • Illustrations by Issey Medd

Pandemic seeds Fears around gardens disappearing aren’t unfounded: such was the fate of the one on Agnew Lane that was demolished on Christmas Eve a decade ago. But alongside the worry, there’s hope.

When Rumpus Room invited Geneva (who runs food solidarity project, Plant Grow Share) to talk to young people at the studio, they were excited about guerilla gardening – a practice of growing in neglected or private spaces – and Agnew Lane was reborn.

Now, the group are at the early stages of a community buyout.

For many of the queer gardeners interviewed, such perseverance against all odds is an indication of how important urban growing can be. “It’s frustrating, but at the same time I find it inspiring that people just do it anyway”, says Jac. “You learn to be scrappy about it, to source free materials.

You can go, ‘okay, I’ll endear myself to all the local cafés and they’ll supply us with their food waste and then we don’t have to pay for compost, we’re making it ourselves’” adds Geneva.

Rowan Lear, one of the facilitators of Un/Nature, a queer ecologies reading group at the Glasgow Zine Library, similarly speaks of the beauty of people simply doing it anyway and creating these tiny ecologies, no matter how short-lived.

Coming from a rural background, they feel they have had to forgo dreams of a queer commune or having their own farm, as the current system of land ownership makes it really hard to access land if you haven’t inherited it. Instead, they try to make peace with growing in a city.

Queer ecology brings together queer theory and ecology to challenge heteronormative ways of understanding nature.

Rowan explains that it is rooted in the recognition that the way ideas of nature have been constructed is based in structures of oppression – poverty, racism, misogyny – and notions of domination. For Fi, exploring the topic has been a step in suddenly questioning a lot of their previous understandings of the world.

“Your first year is a total flop… and then your second year is slightly less of a flop!”. It’s not the most encouraging reflection, but this is how Fi Halliday, the facilitator of the Govanhill Baths’ LGBTQI+ Gardening Group excitedly describes what, for some, became a lockdown hobby.

This was the case for Ardis Önnerfors, who would previously walk past community gardens wishing they were a part of them: “I don’t know if that would have changed if there hadn’t been this complete stop to all other activities.” But this ‘strange outstretched blob of time’, as Ardis describes it, meant that attending a gardening group at The Bowling Green became an important new way to gather with people and feel more grounded.

Finding space to grow As Covid restrictions eased, newly green-fingered residents encountered some difficulties in maintaining their hobby. As Rachel Walker, co-founder of Rumpus Room says: “Everywhere is either private property, council owned, or tenement gardens, and so there is very little opportunity to grow produce and to cultivate a long-term garden anywhere in Govanhill… We have our parks and green spaces, but they’re all managed by the council, who don’t particularly promote engagement in green space other than leisure.”

Jac Reichel, one of the co-founders of the Plot 26 community herb garden in Pollokshields, agrees that the issue is not the lack of land as such, but rather choices in how it’s managed: “I find it infuriating how difficult it is to get access [to land] from the council when it’s just lying there, or being sold off to developers.”

Having started the Rumpus Room garden without much previous experience in growing food, Rachel feels that having a place to set down roots meant the group could plan and put energy and time into it. Even then, as Ardis, who along with Rachel runs the weekly drop in gardening sessions points out, the apple trees are planted in moveable planters: “We don’t know how long we’re going to be somewhere.”

Imagining collective futures How to make compost or build planters are among the things that gardening creates an opportunity to learn. Community gardens offer a way to do this in an accessible, supportive space, through trial-and-error: “the emphasis is on us all learning together, and we can come for as much or as little as we want,” says Jac. The desire to learn in a non-hierarchical, collective environment is also part of what drove Rowan, along with Nat 22

Walpole to start the Un/Nature reading group. Open to anyone interested in challenging conceptions of nature, the pair are both clear that their focus as facilitators is that of functional organising, rather than pre-deciding readings and direction.

Fi takes a similar approach with their group, creating a space for participants to step up and take turns leading on sessions focussing on their interests and skills, be it nature collaging or a mushroom walk – building confidence along the way.

Going through these journeys of learning and growing together can teach about relying on others: “It gives a little window into how we could be looking after things communally that aren’t just gardens,” Ardis believes. Rachel also feels that the experience of it taking more than one person to grow a garden helps them dream of brighter futures: “You start to imagine your life further entwined with the season of the garden, and that comes into thinking about living situations where you’re growing food and depending on others for that.” They believe this vision of communal living and nurturing a garden together can be seen as a queer imagining of family and interconnectedness.

Such entwinement with the seasons and the deepening of their connection with time is something that most gardeners mention. “Your perception starts revolving around seasonal plants: that’s something that you can’t go back from,” explains Fi. This encourages slowing down, and allows for what they describe as ‘a stage of deep knowing with a place’. For Ardis, gardening has encouraged them to put down their own roots – and they’re appreciative of a hobby that has an ‘enforced rest’ period during winter. It’s what Rachel calls ‘gardener’s time’: “It puts emphasis on recovery and quiet time. That’s when growth happens, in the space between things.”

Another part of this is letting go of things, with others reaping the rewards – human or otherwise. When seedlings they planted get eaten by slugs, Fi now says: “Well, the slugs had a good meal!”.

When fed up with having to fight for even the most basic healthcare as a trans person, herbalism felt as something Jac could do for themselves and for people around them: “It doesn’t replace essential healthcare, but it does give you a sense of wellbeing. It feels like you’re connecting with plants and with each other.”

This, however, isn’t always straightforward. Jac speaks of the tension that can sometimes exist in a community garden between creating a comfortable space for queer people specifically while also building trust and relationships with local people from all walks of life. While many of the Plot 26 participants are queer, Jac doesn’t believe that queer-specific sessions would feel right.

On the other hand, Fi’s perspective as a group facilitator has made it evident to them that while people want to do growing, they are also excited by a queer group. For some who recently moved to Glasgow, the gardening group is the first queer-specific thing they’ve found: “I get the feeling that some people, as much as they love growing, also just want to feel held in a space like that.”

As with other things, there isn’t one definitive queer experience when it comes to gardening, growing and the outdoors. What is evident, though, is that these activities foster wellbeing and social connection, all experienced in a multitude of ways — and that Govanhill and the rest of southside are buzzing with community gardens and queer people coming together to partake in the joy of growing.

Nurturing connections and identity There are mixed opinions from people about how they feel about the garden as a social space. “It’s such an easy thing to gather around, and you meet so many people who are interested in similar things to you,” says Ardis. “Mainly you talk about the plants, but then you still feel socially fulfilled going away from it.” They don’t feel like there is a lot of identity packed up in gardening. “You can leave it and you can just stick your hands in the dirt, and it’s social in a really generative, lovely way.”

For Rachel, the social aspect of gardening is less important, with the focus firmly on plants. “But I want to be around other queer people in all aspects of my life, so why not also gardening?” they add. They also remark that gardening is something that isn’t always accessible for marginalised people: “It’s one of those things where class, gender and race intersect, and there’s this idea of what a garden and a gardener is.”

For Jac, being in growing spaces has been completely transformational. When coming out as trans, they took a lot of courage from the plants around them, and the knowledge that there’s more than just the human community: “You can go on a walk and there’s all these trees, all these plants, and knowing that we’re all in community with all these other beings, I find that reassuring. I feel quite held by that other community when sometimes I don’t feel so held by the human community.”

If you’d like to join…

Govanhill Baths’ LGBTQI+ Gardening Group meets fortnightly on Monday evenings (6–8pm) at Agnew Lane.

Rumpus Room Garden Club, aimed at young people age 12 and above, meets weekly on Wednesday afternoons (4–5.30pm) at the Rumpus Room yard on Langside Lane.

Plot 26 Community Herb Garden run their weekly gardening sessions every Friday (3–6pm) at the New Victoria Gardens.

Agnew Lane Gardening Group meets weekly on Sunday afternoons, at around 1pm.

23

Dreaming Big for Albert Road

By Jack Howse Interviews and Photos by Anne Milne Illustration by Laura Hurst

How would you transform your street to encourage more outdoor living?

Residents and businesses share their ideas while thinking about how these changes would impact community and local trade.

T

he end of Albert Road between Victoria and Langside Road is your typical Govanhill/Crosshill street. Residents from all over live in a mix of social housing, privately-rented and owner-occupied tenement flats. As well as more transient neighbours, you’ll find some residents who have been there for decades. People passing shout up to their pals in the flats above, heads poke out between the curtains, wee ones run charging through the open closes to the gardens at the back.

Below the three stories of tenement accommodation, businesses new and old line the pavement. A silver hare sits atop Henry Adams shopfront – the old symbol of a silversmith. The Hampden pub recently closed and was reopened as the Rose Reilly, named after the trailblazing Scotland footballer. Community organisations, The Well and Community Renewal, have both recently relocated from the road. The Glasgow Zine Library is opening where Community Renewal once stood.

“When I was first here, the street was extremely scruffy, but it’s certainly improved in the last 10 years,” said Jim Jones from Henry Adams who has been trading in Govanhill for decades. The owner of Queen of the South beauty parlour, Zohad, has been there for over three years said: “There used to be a lot more empty shop premises, but you don’t see them as much now.”

But while the street is calm and friendly, there is not so much space for outdoor living. Like many streets that flank Victoria Road, the top of Albert Road has been made into a deadend and the cars of people using the high street shops soon pile up, double parking is common.

There are only two trees on this section of the road, one of which is a sorry looking sycamore ringed by a metal fence. “That tree has destroyed the pavement, which is bad for people who are out and about,” Yvonne, a resident told Greater Govanhill.

There is also cherry blossom further down, but this has been ravaged by the treekilling Japanese knotweed.

Just across Victoria Road, on Albert Drive, there are planters and a seating area that have been designed and built by local residents. They were built by the 4 Albert Avenue Residents’ Association as part of the South City Way community projects fund. Local resident Anne Milne said she wishes Albert Road could have the same, and an Albert Road residents association might be a way to bring in some of the changes they’d like to see.

So how could the road be better designed for better urban outdoor living? Many mentioned the overflowing parking as an issue: “There should be parking restrictions so that there wouldn’t be double and triple parked cars” said Anne. While another resident, Jim said: “I’d like more bicycles, more bike parking.” Bicycle storage has been installed but it’s not enough.

Glasgow Zine Library are the new kids on the block: “As newcomers to the road, we’re definitely keen to hear more about what our neighbours have to say” said Chris Yeoh, deputy director. More widely the library believes in free public access space: “It’d be amazing to see the street more pedestrianised so that we could have more public seating, space to gather and for kids to play, for people to sit and read in the sunshine, space where no one has to spend any money to exist” said director of the library, Lauren Davies.

Yvonne and Jo, friends and neighbours, have even bigger ambitions for the street: “I think it would be great just to get rid of all the fences and then have a whole length of street garden… and a cycle path on the other side with little cycle hoops all the way down. Yvonne also pointed out that underneath the thin layer of tarmac probably lies old cobblestones that used to line most streets in Glasgow. “It would make it more

Amsterdam is synonymous with cycling ownership and infrastructure, but it was not always like this. In the 50s and 60s car usage dominated and road traffic casualties soared, particularly amongst children.

Families would have picnics in the middle of the road to stop cars driving down, activists would paint guerilla bicycle lanes under the cover of darkness and mass cycles were organised along dangerous stretches of road and problems encountered were documented. It was only because of public will that The Netherlands’ cycling culture was born.

like Amsterdam”. Anne also mentioned Amsterdam: “there are less spaces for cars, more bike parking, places to sit, and lots of trees and plants” she said. Lauren too, looks abroad — to their hometown in Illinois: “I grew up going to block parties in my small town and the street would be closed down for a whole day.

All of the neighbours would gather and barbecue in the street and eat each other’s potato salad. I wish we could see a bit more of that in our streets.”

All the residents and businesses centred the community in their thoughts for the space. Businesses also mentioned how things like bike parking would encourage people to buy local.

So, is there a symbiotic relationship between outdoor living and a flourishing neighbourhood? The 15/20-minute city concept would certainly suggest so. The urban planning concept is based around the idea of having all your daily needs – work, food, healthcare, education, culture and leisure – within a 15/20-minute walk or bike ride from where you live. The theory has recently been swept into the so-called culture wars, painted as an attack on civil liberties. Yet supporters of the concept argue that it improves circular economies, wellbeing and helps to curb climate change. Glasgow City Council’s version are their Liveable Neighbourhoods Plans which they are currently consulting on.

Block parties have been big in America for over a century and are usually held with no bureaucratic permission.

During the 60s African-American and Latinx communities, who were ostracised from many establishments, would host block parties with soundsystems hooked up to street lights. It was through this community occupation and festivities that hip-hop was born in 1973 West Bronx.

Outdoor living can be a way to appreciate what you have on your street, and create a more local, circular economy. We keep our local traders going and pay money back into our community when we want to spend time outside on our local high street.

Outdoor living goes beyond being able to top up your tan outside your front door, it inspires community action and an economy that helps a neighbourhood thrive.

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What’s On

For more regular events and groups, see our noticeboard: greatergovanhill.com/noticeboard

JUNE Rags to Riches: Textiles Mending Workshop When: Tuesday 6 June Where: The Deep End, 21 Nithsdale Street, G41 2PZ Bring along your own items of clothing you would like to repair and the tutor-led workshop will teach you how to mend those clothes to help reduce waste and give your ruined garments a new lease of life.

More info: Tickets for the workshop from £25 Volunteer Work Party When: 10am-12:30pm, Saturday 10 June Where: The Old Changing Rooms, Queen’s Park Rec Now that South Seeds have been granted a 25 year lease of this space, they are hosting a series of work parties to help transform the building in the lead-up to some eco-friendly renovations. Sign up to learn skills in gardening and construction as well as contribute to creating a sustainable and vibrant community space.

Snake Lotus by Nikki Kilburn Exhibition When: 12-5pm, 15 – 18 June Where: The Deep End, 21 Nithsdale St, G41 2PZ A narrative photography series and soundscape reflecting themes of ancestry, and social constructs bound within the paradigm of power and the body. Part of the The Spit it Out Festival collection which brings together a programme of workshops, talks, exhibitions, screenings and live performances.

Scottish Refugee Festival When: 16 – 25 June Where: Venues across Scotland Refugee Festival Scotland 2023 will be running from 16-25 June centred around the theme of hope. Run by the Scottish Refugee Council, this festival celebrate the huge contribution to life in Scotland made by people with refugee backgrounds.

More info: refugeefestivalscotland.co.uk Refugee Voices Shorts Screening When: 6:30 - 8:30pm, Thursday 22 June Where: The Community Newsroom, 82 Bowman Street, G42 8LF We have been running filmmaking workshops with New Scots in which participants learned filmmaking techniques to create their own shorts which we will be screening as part of the festival.

More info: Free tickets available via greatergovanhill.com/newsroom

Glasgow Jazz Festival x Jazz at the Glad: Tara Lily + Kapil Seshasayee When: Friday 16 June Where: Glad Cafe, 1006A Pollokshaws Rd, Glasgow G41 2HG One of four concerts happening at Glad Cafe during June as part of this series. Tara Lily takes listeners around the globe with her music which marries the sounds of East and West, fusing elements of jazz, Alt RnB, Indian classical, dance with themes of movement, freedom and love.

More info: thegladcafe.co.uk Bungo in the Back Lanes When: Saturday 17 June Where: Strathbungo The annual Bungo in the Back Lanes will host various stalls set up by residents, with plenty of food, drinks, music and other entertainment to enjoy. Locals are invited to explore the back lanes and bring along friends and family from 1pm to 5pm.

Project Unspoken Workshop When: Sunday 25 June Where: Tramway, 25 Albert Drive, G41 2PE In this workshop Leticia Sanchez & Anders Rigg share new methods for simultaneously creating music and dance. Open to anyone with any level of experience in music, dance, theatre or spoken word and it is open to all levels of experience.

More info: Free but booking required.

The Glasgow Choir Festival When: 5-10pm, Friday 30 June Where: Queen’s Park Arena, G42 8QR The Open Stage Community Talent Showcase have paired up with the Queens Park Arena to showcase their talented singers. Residents can look forward to hearing a range of sounds from opera, to musical theatre, rock and even classic pop tunes.

More info: Free tickets from: qpa.inhouse.scot Queen’s Park Tree Trail Summer Walks When: 10-11am, 30 June & 28 July Where: Queen’s Park Enjoy some gentle outdoor exercise and meet new people as you learn about the diverse and amazing trees in the park.

More info: Book online or by popping into South Seeds, 514 Victoria Rd

JULY

Recovery Connects When: 12-6:30pm Sunday 9 July Where: Queen’s Park Arena, G42 8QR The Recovery Connects Collective will be hosting a free sober music event with a range of performers, including Bez, as well as a range of family activities. There will also be addiction, mental health and homelessness services who will be promoting their work.

More info: The Recovery Collective Facebook Page

Cults & Classics When: 5 – 21 July Where: Queen’s Park Arena, G42 8QR A series of free outdoor screenings every evening from 6pm to 11pm, with a range of films from the family fun of Frozen to the surreal and psychedelic comedy Fear & Loathing.

More info: qpa.inhouse.scot

YDance: Project Y Evolution An evening of dance with Scotland’s dancers When: Saturday 15 July Where: Tramway, 25 Albert Drive, G41 2PE Choreographers Taylor Han and Divine Tasinda premiere their work at Tramway this Summer with performances being led by young dancers aged between 16-25.

More info: Tickets £6-8 from tramway.org

The Wailers Concert When: Sunday 2 July Where: Queen’s Park Arena, G42 8QR Reggae legends The Wailers, who famously played alongside Bob Marley, bring their 50th anniversary legacy tour to the Queens Park Arena this summer.

More info: Tickets £39 from qpa.inhouse.scot

EVENTS COMING UP IN

Have you popped into see us at in our new space at 82 Bowman Street?

Pop in and say hello and keep your eye on our socials for upcoming training.

COFFEE AND CONVERSATION

We’re investigating the health gap – the stark difference between health outcomes for people who come from wealthier areas with those who do not. We’re interested in hearing from people who are experiencing the sharp end of that.

We want to know what works, what challenges remain and what could make the health gap a distant memory! We’ll be hosting conversations in the newsroom on the 9 and 16 June. If you’d be willing to contribute, get in touch with karin@theferret.scot. Expenses and a thank-you payment are available for those taking part.

MEMBERS MEETING!

End of June (exact date TBC) We’re keen to hear from our members about the magazine’s new format and thoughts on priorities going forward.

To become a member and have your say, visit greatergovanhill.com/members

RADIO PRODUCTION WORKSHOP

Come along and learn new skills in radio production in this four part workshop running from 20 June to 11 July. You’ll learn about finding stories, researching, recording, interviewing and editing, and help to put together an episode of the Greater Govanhill radio show. For more info email newsroom@greatergovanhill.com

29

By Eddie Kim

Y R R ET NE P O OR C

Tidying The first night you spend alone, for predictable reasons, you think about the thousands of books

leading to one. Poems, stories, movies, songs, and it’s too much.

It’s your family around dinner, each insisting the same story their own way.

You fail into the couch.

Questions breathe in the details you gasp after your friends go home.

Kiss the dirt dissolving into your palm after wrecking your bike.

Breathe in the wonder of healing, wondering if it will ever take.

Some wounds cannot be healed, and some wounds, you feel, should not.

You dust off your palms, but leave the dirt under your nails.

A sigh works its way about the room.

You wonder if you can do any of this.

You get up to wash the dishes.

It might as well start with the dishes.

Govanhill Outdoors Quiz Created by Marzanna Antoniak

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THE GREAT (GOVANHILL) OUTDOORS? Govanhill is blessed with many amazing spaces where residents can rest, congregate, grow vegetables, and enjoy their favourite activities.

Have you been to all the places mentioned?

Which local green space is home to a dragon?

A: Govanhill Park B: Govanhill Community Garden What is the green space next to Larkfield Community Centre called?

A: Millenium Park B: Bennan Square

Eddie Kim has recently opened up Gomo Kimchi on Allison street serving up homemade, small-batch kimchi with a slice of poetry on the side.

Where are Kingsley Rose Gardens located?

A: Next to Hampden Bowling Club B: Next to Queen’s Park Bowling & Tennis Club Where can you find plaques commemorating local residents and pets?

This photo was taken by Paulina Gombarova on a film camera as part of a photography project between Romano Lav and Street Level Photoworks.

B: Govanhill Park When did the Scottish Poetry Rose Garden open?

A: 2013 B: 2003 What can you see when you raise your head on the corner of Queen’s Drive and Langside Road?

A: A statue of a legendary local cobbler B: A statue of the Roman goddess of freedom What are two of your favourite local outdoor spaces?

A: ����������������������������������������������� B: ����������������������������������������������� Answers: 1: B, 2: A, 3: A, 4: A, 5: B, 6: A, 7: B, 8: We would love to know! Share a picture of your answers with us for a chance to win some Greater Govanhill merchandise!

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A: Govanhill Community Remembrance Garden

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