Letter from the Team

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!

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

Editor Rhiannon J Davies

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

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

Illustrations by Issey Medd, Laura Hurst, Libby Walker and Sasha Delmage

Translations by Juliana Da Penha and Dorota Gombarova

Printed by Gladstone Print Ltd

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

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

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

To Close

28

What’s On Some of the best events happening locally in June and July

30

Poetry Corner

Tidying by Eddie Kim of Gomo Kimchi

30 Hot Shot

Featuring the work of young Roma photographer, Paulina Gombarova

Queen’s Park glasshouse partially reopens

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.

Simon Murphy’s Govanhill photobook to be published

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.

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!”

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.

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.

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