-Rhiannon

Did you participate in FONDS?

[ad]

Between 2022-24, we invited people who live, work or have a connection to Govahill to share a personal object with us. Photographer Morwenna Kearsley is now embarking on a new research project and would like to interview past participants of the FONDS project. The interview would take no more than 45 minutes, can be done in person or online, and will focus on your experience of the project.

If you are interested or would like more information please email Morwenna directly at mgk2@stir.ac.uk or get in touch with the Greater Govanhill Magazine team.

Latest from our website…

Queen’s Park Glasshouse campaigners call for public ownership guarantee after £14m Winter Gardens pledge

The campaign to save Queen’s Park Glasshouse has welcomed major investment in Glasgow’s Winter Gardens, while calling for the Southside landmark to remain council-run, free and fully accessible to the public. Read More

Why Glasgow’s children need equal access to sport

When writer Syeda Sadaf Zaidi first spotted a teenager sitting alone in a field, she wondered why he wasn’t at school. A conversation with the boy and his family told a wider story of different learning styles, unmet potential, and unequal access to sport. Read More

Cricket in Glasgow: loved by many but still facing barriers

As a parent-volunteer involved in youth cricket, community reporter S.A. Jaffery regularly sees how much enthusiasm there is for the sport in Glasgow, but also how a lack of support could endanger it. He explores both the benefits of – and the barriers facing – one of the Southside’s most popular sports. Read More

‘It wasnae me’ – How the urban myth of a hurled pineapple became an award presented to the Glasgow Women’s Library

From an urban myth about a thrown pineapple to a solid silver trophy: Glasgow Women’s Library takes home a unique new award honouring the community groups powering local activism and transformation. Read More

Recipe: Malawian Mkhwani and Nsima

Nsima, a type of cornmeal, is Malawi’s staple food and mkhwani – an easy vegetable dish – is a popular accompaniment. Community reporter Grace Nthara shares her recipe for preparing these dishes in the traditional Malawian way. Read More

Want to support our work? Become a member today for a few quid each month and help us reach our target of 100 new members this month!

Mikael here from Greater Govanhill. I hope you are having a lovely start to your week and enjoying the brief break from the rain as the sun shines down on Govanhill today.

This week we are looking at all the ways you can get involved. From volunteering, to helping us shape our next issue, and event a brand new role to work with us at the Community Newsroom (woo hoo!), there’s plenty happening for you to get involved in.

Our new magazine is also here (as are the freshly ordered envelopes to send them out to our members). You may have managed to nab an early copy if you popped by our pop-up photo booth at the Govanhill International Carnival last weekend, but they are officially getting released this week.

This next issue was funded by the commonwealth games festival fund. In it, we look at ‘Who’s Commonwealth?’ following a six week journalism skills and reporter training workshops out of the Community Newsroom ran by Eve Livingston.

As part of that issue we are on the look out for people to help us get the mag out and about. If you’re around this Sunday (16 August) and want to enjoy the Street Music Festival & hand out some mags to some good tunes - please come by the Community Newsroom between 12–4pm to pick up some issues.

Catch you dancing in the streets on Sunday 💃🏼.

~ Mikael 💛

📣 We’re hiring!

We’re looking for an experienced Community Organiser to join the Greater Govanhill team for three days a week, based at the Community Newsroom on Bowman Street.

This is a brand new role, with plenty of scope for the person who joins us to shape it and bring their own experience, ideas and interests.

You’ll work with local residents to help turn ideas into action, build relationships with community groups and organisations, support volunteers and local initiatives, and organise conversations, activities and meet-ups. You’ll help us develop The Community Newsroom as a welcoming, useful and well-used community space.

You’ll also work with our editorial team to spot stories, share practical information and support community-led investigations into issues that matter locally.

We’re particularly looking for someone who knows the area with solid experience of community-based work who is confident working independently, managing their own workload and making things happen.

• The Community Newsroom

• 3 days / 21 hours per week

• £30,000 FTE / £18,000 actual salary

• Two-year fixed-term contract

• Apply by 12 noon, Monday 31 August

Please share with anyone you think would be brilliant for it 💛

Find our more here

Help us this week by picking up 20 copies of the new issue!

This Sunday is the Govanhill Street Music Festival where parks, courtyards, cafés, shopfronts and community spaces across the Southside will be transformed by artists, collectives and neighbours into a dispersed celebration of grassroots culture, solidarity and public life.

The Community Newsroom becomes the Community Moves Room for the day, a programme of dance and outdoor performance happenings featuring Buff and Sheen, choreographer Vince Virr, Mark Bleakley, Patsy Tchimoa-Ouethy, Rob Heaslip, Clown Ida, El Rboukh and Low-Fi Beatroots Hip Hop Radio.

There will be things happening all across the neighbourhood, with featured locations including: The Cooperage Courtyard, Westmoreland Park, South Seeds, The Community Newsroom, Queen’s Park, and Transylvania Shop.

We’ll also be handing out copies of our latest magazine as we jive in the street. If you’re around and want to help us get the magazine out, please come by the Community Newsroom between 12–4pm.

The festival will run from 12–8pm with events happening all over the city. You can see the programme from the Govanhill Baths here.

🥁 Next Members Meeting & Free Drumming Taster

Our next members meeting will feature a special free taster drumming session led by Mags, a long-time member and supporter of our community. It’s going to be fun, relaxed, and just for a bit of a laugh – no prior experience needed at all. Of course, there will be plenty of refreshments waiting for you!

We’ll also be discussing the theme/topic for our next issue, potentially on the theme of “power” and would love to hear what you would like to see in our November issue.

This members event is open to all of our current members, contributors, and those who would like to learn more about what membership entails.

Where: The Community Newsroom, 82 Bowman Street

When: 25th August, 6:30–8pm

More info: email Mikael at mikael@greatergovanhill.com to RSVP

Become a member from only £4 today

We’re looking for stories from the Govanhill International Festival!

Have you been to see something, or many things, as part of this years Govanhill International Festival? Then we’d love to hear from you!

If you would like to share your thoughts and have your work published on our website, please get in contact with us by clicking the button below, or, by emailing us at: newsroom@greatergovanhill.com

We are looking for pieces around 300 words. These can be your top highlights form the festival, something which really stood out to you, or maybe you know someone in the festival and would like to highlight their work.

Share your stories

Latest stories from our website…

In Pictures: The Govanhill International Parade & Carnival

Saturday saw the tenth annual Govanhill International Parade & Carnival. Over 1000 people took part in Govanhill Parade this year with many more attending the festival in Govanhill Park after. Photographer Rob Reid captured the day on film. Read more.

Access to multicultural food in Govanhill

For many in Govanhill’s diverse community, food plays an important cultural role and provides a connection to home. Community reporter Grace Nthara explores the difficulties in finding some multicultural food and the initiatives working to improve access. Read more.

The sound of the Southside at Kelburn Garden Party

The Southside has no shortage of musical talent, from wavy pop tunes to headbangers. Writer Andrew Stark checked them out at Scotland’s annual Kelburn Garden Party and shared how their sounds are shaping the stage and getting the festival’s crowd on their feet. Read more.

From Syria to Glasgow: how sport helped our family find home

Sport was always important to Shaimaa Alrashwanii’s family in Syria, but years of conflict made it difficult to keep taking part. She writes about how moving to Glasgow helped the family rediscover sport and find a community. Read more.

The legacy of empire at Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games

When Glasgow agreed to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, it raised important conversations about the historical and ongoing legacies of colonialism. As the city says goodbye to the Games, those questions remain. Read more.

Why were cricket and rugby absent from Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games?

Rugby sevens and cricket didn’t feature at Glasgow 2026. Their absence is understandable given the Games’ reduced programme – but it also removed two sports whose histories are deeply intertwined with the British Empire. Read more.

One sky, many celebrations: kite-flying festivals in Pakistan and Glasgow

They might be thousands of miles apart, but Lahore, Pakistan, and Glasgow’s Southside share a love of kite-flying. Community reporter Farhana Ahmed explores the similarities between Pakistan’s Basant festival and Glasgow’s Pollok Kite Fest. Read more.

Last chance to see silence of the good this Saturday in the Community Newsroom

Exhibition: The Silence of the Good

When: 15 August, 11am–5pm

Since the 2024 racist riots, flags and symbols have appeared in communities across the UK, expressing not only nationalism but open intimidation. Photographer Kirsty MacKay’s exhibition documents the far-right street movement and the anti-racist resistance that met it, with photographs printed onto flags and displayed alongside a collaborative art making workshop open to visitors on 5 August (more info below). The Silence of the Good asks what responsibility we share when racism becomes part of the everyday landscape, and how we challenge it on our streets, in our conversations and in the stories we choose to tell.

Free entry, drop-in.

We’ll be part of today’s carnival, bringing the Greater Govanhill pop-up photo booth to Govanhill Park! We’re capturing the ethos of the carnival and snapping shots of our community throughout the day… So make sure to pop down, strike a pose, and say hi to our team! We’ll be there from 2-5pm. You’ll also be able to pick up our latest issues and buy our exclusive Govanhill t-shirts!

The Community Newsroom in the Festival

Exhibition: The Silence of the Good

When: 1,2,8,9,15 August (Saturdays & Sunday only), 11am–5pm

Since the 2024 racist riots, flags and symbols have appeared in communities across the UK, expressing not only nationalism but open intimidation. Photographer Kirsty MacKay’s exhibition documents the far-right street movement and the anti-racist resistance that met it, with photographs printed onto flags and displayed alongside a collaborative art making workshop open to visitors on 5 August (more info below). The Silence of the Good asks what responsibility we share when racism becomes part of the everyday landscape, and how we challenge it on our streets, in our conversations and in the stories we choose to tell.

Free entry, drop-in.

Workshop: The Silence of the Good collaborative conversation and making workshop

When: 5 August 2026 - 7:00–8:30 pm

A space to talk about the escalation of racism within our communities and make work in response. Take inspiration from the exhibition, design a new flag or make some protest art that will be added to the exhibition. Book your space here.

Latest stories from our website…

What is a festival for?

As Govanhill International Festival and Carnival marks its tenth anniversary, Govanhill Baths arts & heritage manager Simone Stewart reflects on the festival’s roots in anti-racist organising, the challenges of staying true to its purpose, and why long-term cultural infrastructure matters more than ever. Read more.

Govanhill International Festival & Carnival opens this weekend!

Govanhill International Festival & Carnival opens this weekend! Jul 29, 2026 As Govanhill prepares to celebrate 10 years of our International Festival & Carnival organised by Govanhill Baths, we’re taking a dive into the full programme ahead of launch parade this Saturday… including our pop-up photo booth!

Changing Places Awareness Day 2026: Why Accessible Toilets Change Lives

For many people, using the toilet is something they rarely have to think about. However, for thousands of disabled people across the UK, accessing suitable toilet facilities can be one of the biggest barriers to travelling, socialising and living independently. Read more.

Exploring cultural identity through food

Sadia Sikandar’s latest photography project, Stories of Food and Belonging, earned international recognition at the World Food Photography Awards. In this interview, writer Margot Leys speaks with the artist about her work, the challenges she has faced as a hijabi, and how food can be a powerful force for connection in a time of growing division. Read more.

Jasleen Kaur unveils artwork for Commonwealth Games

Turner Prize-winning artist, Jasleen Kaur, reveals artwork, Superstructure, for the Commonwealth Festival. Writer Emma Bainbridge speaks to the Pollokshields born artist about the work and how it explores trade, industry, and empire on the Clyde. Read more.

Commonwealth Games and walking tours – highlighting Glasgow’s colonial history and sporting culture

Glasgow Radical Tours and Invisible Tours’ latest walks take visitors on a meander through the city’s streets – highlighting its colonial past, sporting legacy and culture as the Commonwealth Festival approaches. From Glasgow’s Green historical link to sports to the corner of Nelson Mandela Street – a nod to Glasgow’s anti-apartheid movement. Read more.

A few highlights from the festival

Parade & Carnival 2026

When: Saturday 1 August, 1-5pm (assemble from 12:30pm)
Starting Point: Queen’s Park (Victoria Road Gates)

Starting at Queen’s Park, the Carnival Parade winds through Govanhill and into Govanhill Park – drums, banners, costumes, brass bands and community groups from across the neighbourhood and beyond.

In the Park – a Celebration For Everyone

When: Saturday 1 August, 2-5pm
Where: Govanhill Park

As the parade arrives, the afternoon opens up. The live stage features Maz and the Phantasms, Makongo, Samba Sene and Romane Cierhenia.

Govanhill Baths, Ours! A Century of Community, Activism and Renewal

When: 4 July – 27 September

Where: Greater Govanhill’s Community Canvas space, upstairs Tramway

Govanhill Baths, Ours! tells the story of a building that became much more than a building. Opened in 1917 as a public bath and wash-house, the Baths were part of the everyday infrastructure of this neighbourhood for generations, where people washed, swam, worked, met, learned, gathered and built quiet forms of connection across difference.

Solidarity Screenings

When: Sunday 9 August, 12-8pm
Where: The Steamie, Govanhill Baths, 99 Calder Street

The Steamie in Govanhill Baths becomes a cinema for a day. Four films about resistance, solidarity and what ordinary people can do when they refuse to accept things as they are.

Govanhill Book Festival

When: Friday 8 August, 7pm–8:30pm | Saturday 9 August, 10–5:30pm
Where: Queen’s Park Govanhill Parish Church

Govanhill Street Music Festival

When: Saturday 16 August, 12-8pm,
Where: In and around Govanhill

This year’s programme spans live music, DJs, spoken word, performance and outdoor gatherings curated by SNACK Magazine, Duende Soundsystem, Love Music Hate Racism, SANTV and the Trans+ bloc, alongside the Govanhill Baths Creative Canopies programme.

For more information of events, timing, costs and booking visit govanhillbaths.com/festival

Hello,

This week is Indie News Week, a celebration of independent journalism and the role it plays in bringing communities together, amplifying overlooked voices, and helping people better understand the places they call home.

For the past six years, that’s what we’ve tried to do at Greater Govanhill.

Every month, more than 12,000 people visit our website. Over 2,000 people receive this newsletter. Around 15,000 people read each issue of our free quarterly magazine.

But just 200 people currently support Greater Govanhill financially through membership.

First, a huge thank you to those 200 members. Your support helps make everything we do possible. From commissioning local writers, photographers and illustrators, to printing the magazine, hosting events, and creating opportunities for people to tell their own stories – you’ve helped build something special.

This Indie News Week, we’re setting ourselves a simple challenge:

Can we grow our membership community from 200 people to 300?

If just 100 more of you chose to support Greater Govanhill with a few pounds each month, it would make a huge difference to the long-term sustainability of the magazine and help ensure independent community journalism continues to thrive in Govanhill.

We’re funded through a mix of ethical advertising, grants and reader support. But memberships give us something especially valuable: independence, stability and the ability to plan for the future.

If Greater Govanhill has ever helped you discover something new about your neighbourhood, attend an event, find an opportunity, meet someone interesting, or see your community differently, we’d love you to consider becoming a member today.

Join the 200 people already supporting Greater Govanhill and help us reach 300.

BECOME A MEMBER HERE

Thank you for reading, supporting and being part of our community.

Rhiannon, Samar & Mikael
Greater Govanhill

Already a member and want to show your support?

Or maybe just looking for a wardrobe upgrade?

Order one of our limited edition Govanhill t-shirts for £25 designed by Kate Benzies

Happening tomorrow…

How can we as a community – and as a magazine – stand against the rise of the far right?

Join us for a conversation in person about this important issue. Sign up here.

The normalisation of far-right rhetoric, the harmful framing of stories in parts of the mainstream media, and the growing influence of divisive political narratives have created a climate in which prejudice and hostility can flourish. This stands in direct opposition to the values we hold.

No one should feel unsafe in our city because of their race, culture, faith, nationality, or identity.

For the past six years, Greater Govanhill has created space for people to tell their own stories and share their experiences. Through our journalism, events and community projects, we have sought to amplify voices that are often underrepresented – like those of New Scots – to foster understanding, break down barriers, and bring people together.

We have celebrated the richness and diversity of our neighbourhood and explored what it means to live alongside one another in one of Scotland’s most diverse communities.

But at moments like these, we need to ask ourselves: what more can we do? How do we challenge division and fear? How do we ensure that Govanhill remains a place where people look out for one another and where everyone feels they belong? What is the role of our work as a community magazine?

Join us for an community conversation on Thursday evening as we explore these questions together and discuss how we can respond collectively to the challenges facing our city.

Register for the event here

Latest from our website…

Campaign launched to save Queen’s Park Glasshouse from closure

Campaigners have vowed to fight plans to close Queen’s Park Glasshouse, arguing the historic building is a vital community resource used by families, students and visitors from across the Southside. Read More

A public demonstration against the closure is scheduled to take place at the Glasshouse on Saturday 13 June at 12pm.

Greater Govanhill contributor Sadia Sikandar wins international photography award

Greater Govanhill contributor and Photography Group member Sadia Sikandar has won international recognition at the World Food Photography Awards. Her award-winning image, taken at Govanhill’s Qasba restaurant, explores themes of home, identity and belonging and comes ahead of a new local exhibition from the artist. Read More

Rumi’s Cave: Sufi traditions at new Coffee & Zikr cafe on Niddrie St

Coffee and Zikr brings is cultivating a space for connection and spirituality between sips of coffee. Located on Niddrie Street and inspired by Rumi’s cave, it invites you into a space to share stories, listen and embrace Sufi traditions. Read More

OPINION: What we gain when we lean into discomfort

In an increasingly divided world, it can be tempting to retreat into familiar spaces and simple explanations. Dr Tunde Dipo-Lawuyi argues that embracing discomfort, challenging our assumptions and engaging with people different from ourselves can help build stronger, more compassionate communities. Read More

Stories From our Streets: Coplaw Street

From horse-drawn trams and Spitfire pilots in kilts to the hidden VR post box still standing today, Coplaw Street has been the beating heart of Govanhill for over a century. Stacey Anderson takes a walk through time, uncovering the stories of the hospitals, drill halls, and community hubs that shaped this iconic street throughout time. Read More

Like what we do? Support the magazine by becoming a member!

Scots special

More from our Scots special magazine…

A ‘Once and Future’ Language

From the language of Kings and Parliament, to a century of being silenced in the classroom, Scots has a story of remarkable resilience. We speak to leading experts from the Universities of Aberdeen and Glasgow to explore the unique evolution of the Scots language. Read More

Doon a rabbit hole: Rediscoverin Scots writin fae dissertation tae preservation

Why is it so hard to find out-of-print Scots classics? After discovering a disconnect between her university syllabus and the language she spoke with pals, Stacey Anderson took a deep dive into the archives. She reflects on the importance of keeping Scots literature alive and how boring doodles in the margins can be a vital link to our past. Read More

Govanhill: Wit Aboot Ye?

From the ‘proper’ speech of the classroom to the gallus rhythm of the scheme, Scots has always been the heartbeat of our streets. Mikael explores the history of our mother tongue, the defiance of the code-switch, and why - from Govanhill to Punjab - the Scots language belongs to anyone who calls this neighbourhood home. Read More

Scottish Television, National Stories, Identity and Culture – Through the Eyes of Actor Paul McCole

Our writer Devon McCole sits down with her dad, actor Paul McCole, to discuss the impact of Scottish representation in TV and film on our national cultural identity. Read More

Tae Glesga an the Sters

A gripping short story from our Scots issue exploring an ancient being’s centuries-long quest through Glasgow to reclaim a lost book of power and awaken a cosmic void. Read More

What’s On…

It’s the final week to see our Storybooth exhibition, upstairs in Tramway!

Refugee Festival Scotland kicks off today

Refugee Festival Scotland returns from 12–21 June with more than 150 events taking place across the country, celebrating art, culture and community in the lead-up to World Refugee Day. Organised by Scottish Refugee Council, this year’s festival brings together artists, performers and communities with links to 78 countries, showcasing music, dance, film, food, storytelling and more.

Marking 75 years since the UN Refugee Convention, the 2026 programme highlights the importance of solidarity, belonging and welcoming newcomers at a time when refugee rights face growing challenges. Most events are free and open to everyone, with highlights including outdoor cinema screenings, exhibitions, community gatherings, workshops and a special World Refugee Day concert at Tramway.

Find the full programme and event details at refugeefestivalscotland.co.uk.

Glasgow International on until 21 June

Glasgow International is a festival of contemporary art which takes place every two years, in venues across the city.

The festival is free and open for everyone and features work by local and international, early-career and Turner Prize nominated artists who explore ideas around what it means to live today.

Presentations include sculpture, film, performance, painting and installation, considering diverse subjects such as personal and ancestral memory, friendship, land use, intergenerational connection, and imagining better worlds.

There are exhibitions, performances, gatherings, and community organised events across the three weeks of the festival with some exhibitions continuing through the summer.

See the full programme here

Thanks for reading to the end. If you want to to see our work continue, support the magazine by becoming a member!

Amidst the recent Scottish General Election campaign, we have been so incredibly busy building, presenting, and reporting on our Citizens Agenda and coverage of the election that we have only just got round to updating you on the latest & greatest from the community!

Two new spaces were unveiled in Southside last week; South Seeds The Changing Rooms in Queens Park – a new community hub at the heart of Southside, and the Hidden Gardens Bothy – a creative co-working space amidst nature. More info below.

I hope you have been out enjoying the sun and spending time with beautiful people. For now, here’s all you might have missed from our website over the past couple weeks and the latest happenings from in & around Govanhill.

~ Mikael 💛

[ad] Glasgow International Festival returns from June 5th and it’s completely free!

Glasgow International is a festival of contemporary art which takes place every two years, in venues across the city.

The festival is free and open for everyone and features work by local and international, early-career and Turner Prize nominated artists who explore ideas around what it means to live today.

Presentations include sculpture, film, performance, painting and installation, considering diverse subjects such as personal and ancestral memory, friendship, land use, intergenerational connection, and imagining better worlds.

There are exhibitions, performances, gatherings, and community organised events across the three weeks of the festival with some exhibitions continuing through the summer.

Everything in the festival is free to enter or take part in and all the information on our 47 projects from GoMA to Kelvin Hall, from Florence Street to Springburn can be found on our website glasgowinternational.org or in programme guides distributed across the city in libraries, community centres and arts venues.

We also have the guide in BRAILLE or audio formats and an access guide to all 32 venues and our projects available. Please find information on the website or contact info@glasgowinternational.org.

We hope you will join us at one or more of these moments across Glasgow in June.

See the full programme here

Latest stories from our website…

Stories From our Streets: Coplaw Street

From horse-drawn trams and Spitfire pilots in kilts to the hidden VR post box still standing today, Coplaw Street has been the beating heart of Govanhill for over a century. Stacey Anderson takes a walk through time, uncovering the stories of the hospitals, drill halls, and community hubs that shaped this iconic street throughout time. 👉 Read more.

Wit ye sayin aboot Scots?

Is it a language, a dialect, or a badge ae identity? Followin the Scottish Languages Act, we took tae Vicky Road tae talk “hurkle-durkling,” Doric roots, and why Scots is aboot much mare than joost the wurds we use. 👉 Read more.

They don’t see us, they don’t hear us

Rahela Cirpaci, a community organiser in the Roma community and in the Govanhill area, speaks about the racist treatment she has been subjected to and about how projects such as Climate Sisters have been key spaces for advocating for change. 👉 Read more.

🇷🇴 Also available in Romanian.

The Scots Glossar

Scots is a rich and vast language with countless inflections and meanings dependant on region, accent, tone, and intention. Tryin tae create a glossary wae a’ the wurds fir wan magazine felt a bit daft - so insteed, we’ve pit thegither wurds yae might hear oot n aboot Guvanhill tae help ye oan yer wiy in oor Scots Glossar. 👉 Read more.

‘That’s Us!’ – Learning to be at Home with Scots.

From Poetry on the Underground to Govan classrooms, one incomer traces how Scots slipped into his speech – and his singing – as a lived language of belonging. 👉 Read more.

Bringing Parveens to Govanhill

Parveen’s hosted some of their first ever dinner clubs in Southside’s MILK. Now Parveen’s is returning to the area after being based in Civic House, opening their own spot in Govanhill. Greater Govanhill spoke to the sisters behind Parveen’s, who shared more about their journey to secure a space and the crowdfunder that will support them to transform an old shop into a fully licensed restaurant and bar. 👉 Read more.

I am one story among many

“These children are not a burden; they are the future.” After fleeing a homeland where dreaming was a crime, mother Shaimaa Alrashwanii reflects on the reality of seeking asylum in Scotland. In a world of rising extremist rhetoric, she argues that Glasgow’s true strength lies in its humanity, not its prejudices. 👉 Read more.

The Bothy and the Changing Rooms – two new Southside community spaces open

Two new community spaces opened their doors in Glasgow’s Southside in May, with South Seeds unveiling The Changing Rooms at Queen’s Park and The Hidden Gardens launching The Bothy, a nature-inspired workspace for creatives and freelancers. 👉 Read here.

Reclaimin the muther tongue

The revival ae native languages lit Scots isny jus aboot linguistics – it’s aboot identity, culture, freedom ae expression, an rejectin imperialism ae the past in the present. 👉 Read here.

Factored Out: How Glasgow’s Property Management Industry Fails Us

Factors in Glasgow should be trusted agents and custodians; however, for many of us, they are more a source of frustration, risk, and often exorbitant costs. The system around factoring is badly strained and often dogged by talk of corruption at higher levels, leaving tenants (and especially homeowners) paying the price. 👉 Read here.

Scots Education in 1960s Govanhill

Braw Bricht Moonlicht Nicht, David Doren’s education was a proper Glasgow journey. He looks back at the teachers who shaped him, the history we’re at risk of losing, and why he reckons every Scottish school kid deserves a chance to find their voice in Scots. 👉 Read here.

Kirstin Innes and Hayley-Jane Dawson: on writing, class, Scots and Agnes Owens

With the re-release of Agnes Owens’ ‘A Working Mother’, introduced by novelist Kirstin Innes, we’re looking back to our recent Scots issue and our conversation with Kirstin & artist Hayley-Jane Dawson about the work of often overlooked writer. 👉 Read here.

From around the neighbourhood…

Southside Open-Air & Refugee Council Scotland cinema day

📆 When: 14 June from 12:30pm

📍 Where: Queens Park Arena

🔗 Tickets: Free registration at www.refugeefestivalscotland.co.uk

June tours from Radical Glasgow Tours announced

📆 When: Throughout June

📍 Where: Various locations

🔗 Tickets: Available here.

Glasgow Community Sauna are hiring

How to apply: head to site manager for their recruitment pack and application details.

Board gayme nite @ Adrians Bar

📆 When: 3 June, 6-10pm

📍 Where: Adrians Bar, Victoria Road.

🔗 Tickets: Just pop along!

As part of the Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026 Festival, Greater Govanhill magazine is offering a free 6-week community journalism training course for people in Glasgow’s Southside who come from non-UK Commonwealth backgrounds. See the list of countries here.

The course will teach journalism skills and explore the intersections of culture, heritage and the Commonwealth in Glasgow’s Southside.

Participants will each produce a written article on a topic of their choice for publication in a special issue of Greater Govanhill magazine. Potential articles might explore sport, culture, Commonwealth legacies, de/colonisation and imperialism, diaspora communities or other related topics.

We are looking for participants with some prior experience of writing in English but this doesn’t need to be in journalism - maybe you have previously written poetry, prose, reports and are looking to learn more about journalistic writing.

The course will be facilitated by journalist Eve Livingston with guest speakers invited.

Articles produced during the course will feature in a special edition of the Greater Govanhill magazine, timed to coincide with the Commonwealth Games and the Govanhill International Festival.

Dates: 20th May - 24th June

Format: 6 in-person sessions in The Community Newsroom in Govanhill on Wednesday evenings, 6.30-9pm

A stipend of £60 is available to participants for attendance at the course, with a further £100 paid for final articles.

To apply, please fill in this form before 12pm on 15th May. We will contact all applicants by end of day on 15th May to let you know if you have been successful.

Please share with anyone who may be interested.

We also have another opportunity to share with you from one of our Community Newsroom desk users….

F.E.M.S Social media discussion + CapCut tutorial

On Monday 18 May from 6 - 7:30pm, F.E.M.S (female, lesbian, intersex, Trans, non-binary + agender folk in Electronic Music Scotland) invites you to a FREE limited capacity, free workshop and discussion about how best to approach social media in your work, how to maximise reach in a format your comfortable with, and introduce you to the best tool for short-form videos: CapCut.

Opent to all FLINTA creatives

Led by music journalist Alice Austin, who’s figuring out her own social media strategy as we speak, this will be a space for discussion, venting and knowledge exchange - with some genuinely practical takeaways to help you (hopefully) feel less horrendous about this thing we all have to do to survive.

LIMITED CAPACITY - FIRST COME FIRST SERVE - fill in this form to sign up, you’ll get an email to confirm your place.

Illustration by Alistair Quietsch for Greater Govanhill.

The Scottish Parliamentary Election takes place today, Thursday, 7 May, and polling stations will be open until 10pm. In what looks to be the most tightly fought race for Holyrood in years – with Reform looking set to make big gains in Holyrood –  your vote matters.

In the run up to the election, we have been asking people in the local area what issues they care most about. We’ve had street stalls, visits to community groups, and online surveys. We analysed the answers and put the questions to all candidates. Five of the eight candidates responded.

Read their answers to your questions in our Glasgow Southside voter guide here.

Where do I go to vote in Glasgow Southside?

Those voting in Glasgow Southside can find their local polling station here – all you need is your postcode.

How does the Scottish parliamentary voting system work?

Voters will cast two votes – one for a constituency MSP and one for a regional MSP – using the Additional Member System (AMS).

The Constituency vote

• The candidate with the most votes wins and becomes the MSP for that constituency.

• This is calculated first and affects how many additional MSPs can be elected in the regional vote – more on this below.

The regional vote

• Regions are larger areas made up of multiple constituencies.

• The regional vote is calculated by taking the number of MSPs already elected in the constituency vote and applying it to a formula.

• The formula works by taking the total number of votes for each party or independent candidate on the regional list and dividing it by the number of constituency seats won by that party.

• This process is repeated for several rounds until all seven regional MSPs are elected.

This type of voting system is intended to make the results fairer and more proportional to the number of votes a party or independent candidate receives. This is because the votes each party or independent candidate receives in the constituency vote are taken into account when the regional MSPs are calculated, reflecting each party’s share of the vote.

Who is eligible to vote in the Scottish Parliament Election?

You are eligible to vote if you are:

• Aged 16 or older for Scottish Parliament elections

• A British citizen living in Scotland

• An Irish citizen living in Scotland

• A foreign national living in Scotland with leave to enter or stay in the UK, or who does not need leave (such as refugees)

You must have registered to vote by 20 April.

What do I need with me to vote?

In the Scottish Parliament Election, you do not need to bring ID to vote – or your polling card if you have lost it. So long as you’re registered, you can provide your name and address.

What constituency am I in?

If you live in Govanhill, Pollokshields, Shawlands, Strathbungo, Mount Florida, Kings Park, Cathcart, Bellahouston, Gorbals, Crosshill, Battlefield, Langside you are likely in the Southside. If you are not sure, you can check here.

Who are the candidates in Glasgow Southside?

Glasgow Southside Constituency Scottish Parliament Election 2026 candidates:

• Independent: Arzoo Abdullah

• Scottish Green: Holly Bruce

• Scottish Common Party: Kamran Butt

• Labour: Rashid Hussain

• Conservative: Ross Hutton

• Reform UK: Gordon Millar

• Liberal Democrats: Rachel Park

• Scottish National Party: Kaukab Stewart

In the run up to the election, we have been asking people in the local area what issues they care most about. We’ve had street stalls, visits to community groups, and online surveys. We analysed the answers and put the questions to all candidates. Five of the eight candidates responded.

Read their answers to your questions in our Glasgow Southside Voter Guide here.

We will be holding elected representatives accountable to their answers.

What does the Scottish Government have powers over?

The Scottish Parliament has power to make laws on a range of issues known as devolved matters. These include:

• agriculture, forestry and fisheries

• benefits (some aspects)

• consumer advocacy and advice

• economic development

• education and training

• elections to the Scottish Parliament and local government

• energy (some aspects)

• environment

• equality legislation (some aspects)

• fire services

• freedom of information

• health and social services

• housing

• justice and policing

• local government

• planning

• sport and the arts

• taxation (some aspects)

• tourism

• transport (some aspects)

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In the lead up to elections, news is often dominated by party lines and what issues are most important to candidates. At Greater Govanhill community magazine, we believe in doing things differently. So over the past couple of months we have been asking our readers to tell us what they want candidates to be speaking about as they compete for votes.

This is part of our Citizens Agenda project, in which we want to hold candidates accountable to the issues that are of most concern to our readers.

For more on the elections, read our article: Everything you need to know about voting in the 2026 Scottish parliamentary elections

Based on the over 200 comments we received via online surveys, social media, public stalls and visits to community groups, we have now created the following list of 11 questions. These were issues that came up the most, or that had most resonance for the local area.

We have sent these to every one of the Glasgow Southside candidates and will be publishing all responses as we receive them. Currently we have had no response from the Conservative, Reform or Common party candidate.

- the Greater Govanhill team

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Voter Guide for Glasgow Southside: your questions answered by candidates

The questions:

1. In Govanhill, high rents and overcrowding are a major issue. What specific action would you take, using Holyrood’s powers, to increase affordable housing and make renting more secure?

2. Fly-tipping, overflowing bins and rubbish – especially in backcourts – are a major issue in Govanhill. This may be a council responsibility, but what would you do as an MSP to push for better standards, whether through increased funding, national policy or holding services to account?

3. The cost of transport in Glasgow is a major issue, and people want a more joined-up system, including publicly-owned buses and integrated ticketing. Do you support greater public control of buses and a single payment system, and what would you do to help make that happen?

4. Energy bills are a major issue, and many tenement homes need retrofitting. What would you support to improve energy efficiency in housing, and how would you make sure it actually brings down bills?

5. People can’t get GP appointments, many struggle with online booking, and some say they just go to hospital instead. What would you do to improve access to GP services and reduce waiting times?

6. Rising racism and anti-migrant rhetoric are a concern, and some people say they feel unsafe leaving their local area because of it. What would you do to tackle racism and discrimination in this area?

7. People raised concerns about rising hostility towards LGBTQ+ people, particularly the trans community. What will you do as an MSP to protect trans rights and ensure people feel safe?

8. Many residents feel ignored by politicians and report poor communication from elected representatives. How will you ensure you are accessible and accountable to people in Glasgow Southside?

9. People asked whether more funding should be raised to support local services. Do you think Scotland should use its tax powers differently, and if so, where should that money go?

10. Many in Govanhill are concerned about what’s happening to the people of Palestine. Last year the Scottish Parliament voted to impose a boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel. How would you ensure any commitments such as divestment, use of Scottish airports – are actually implemented?

11. What are the top two changes you would deliver for this constituency within 12 months, and how should voters judge whether you have succeeded?

Arzoo Waqqar Abdullah – Independent

On housing

I will push for affordable housing initiatives, including working with local councils to ensure fair rent caps. I’ll advocate for government-backed incentives to lower mortgage rates on affordable housing developments, making ownership accessible and keeping rents stable. Ultimately, I want to ensure safe, affordable housing options for everyone.

On Palestine

The Scottish Greens were instrumental in ensuring Scotland was the first country in the world to pass a package of Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against complicity in the occupation.

Previous Glasgow Green MSP Patrick Harvie has also been working hard to demand an end to the Israeli military’s commercial use of Prestwick Airport.

In Glasgow, our Green councillors secured a human rights due diligence process on procurement contracts.

And I am proud to stand with local groups like Mothers Against Genocide and Artworkers for Palestine. I’ve also stood in solidarity at marches led by the Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee (GGEC), No Pride in Genocide and Give Israel the Red Card campaign.

Read the complete response to this questions and others here

Holly Bruce – Scottish Greens

On housing

To tackle high rents and overcrowding in areas like Govanhill, the Scottish Greens have proposed a permanent and robust system of rent controls. We want to expand current legislation to include student housing, mid-market rent, and Build-to-Rent developments. In Glasgow, Green councillors (including myself) have already ringfenced budget resources to deliver these controls as soon as possible.

We will build thousands of high-quality social homes to provide a genuine, affordable alternative to the private sector.

We will empower councils to force owners of derelict land and property to sell or rent them for housing.

We support a 200% surcharge on non-domestic rates for empty properties and second homes – a policy Glasgow Greens have already secured.

We will end needless profiteering by funding councils and social landlords to become preferred housing suppliers to end the routine use of hotels for people seeking asylum.

On transport

Building on free bus travel for under-22s, we want free bus travel for everyone and we will bring buses back into public ownership through franchising.

I will continue to champion for there to be more night buses to ensure our hospitality and shift workers can get home safely.

I will advocate to expand the capacity on the Cathcart Circle line and for it to be part of Glasgow Metro. I will continue to push for improvements to train station accessibility in order to help folks with disabilities and families with buggies.

The Scottish Greens will also propose Scotland’s first integrated ticketing system with zonal pricing and daily caps across all transport modes.

Read the complete response to this questions and others here

Rashid Hussain – Scottish Labour

On housing

Scottish Labour plans to deliver 125,000 new homes, including at least 52,300 affordable homes, and to tackle the shortage that drives high rents and overcrowding in areas like Govanhill. That means backing more council and social housing, stronger powers to deal with empty and second homes, and a £1 homes scheme to bring derelict properties back into use. I also support moves to help renters save for a deposit, including more mid‑market‑rent homes for working people, and reforms to make factoring and tenement maintenance fairer and more responsive. It’s also crucial that the Council makes better use of existing stock, so that more people in the Southside can access safe, warm, affordable housing instead of being trapped in overcrowded or poor‑quality accommodation.

On transport

I know that in communities like Govanhill, the way people get around shapes whether they can work, study, see friends or access healthcare — and too often it feels like the system is not built for local journeys. I support greater public control of buses and a single, integrated payment system, and I will back the fast‑tracking of bus franchising so services are planned around people, not profit. If elected, I will push for more affordable fares, better connections and simpler ticketing across buses, trains and active travel, so that people in the Southside are not priced out of getting around. I also support Labour’s plan to build a proper rail link to Glasgow Airport, and I will use that commitment to argue for investment in the kinds of joined-up, reliable journeys that Southsiders need everyday.

Read the complete response to this questions and others here

Rachel Mary Byrne Park – Liberal Democrats

On housing
Govanhill is a beautiful place and anyone who wants to live in the area should be able to. In Glasgow Southside, as well as across the country, there is a dire lack of housing of all kinds, including affordable and mid-market housing. A lack of housing drives up rent, and thereby disproportionately hurts those who rent, such as young professionals and recent immigrants.The only solution is to build more houses.

High density housing is good for the environment, reducing individual energy consumption, and allowing many people to live close to the services they use every day. Planning reform is needed to make housebuilding in urban areas easier and more attractive to developers. The Scottish Parliament has the power to substantially reform planning law and the National

Planning Framework. I believe planning reform to tackle the housing crisis should be an urgent priority in the next parliament.

On transport
I absolutely back bus franchising, which would give communities better control over where their buses go, leading to service improvements and reduced costs.

The Strathclyde Partnership for Transport needs to be empowered on the Transport for London model, thereby having unified control over public transport in the region. This would pave the way for a proper integrated ticketing system, across buses, trains, the subway, and indeed even ferries. I would support legislation to implement such a model, and would put pressure on the Scottish Government to implement such policies.

Read the complete response to this questions and others here

Kaukab Stewart – Scottish National Party

On housing

We’re investing £4.9 billion in affordable house building over the next four years to deliver 110,000 affordable homes, 70% of which will be for social rent. We will invest in social housing by unlocking the estimated £20 billion of investible pension fund assets (including local authority pension schemes) to support a large-scale programme of high-quality, affordable social housing. Housing also needs to meet the needs of everyone, which is why we will also update design guidance for accessible homes in building standards regulations. Govanhill is also one of the most tenemental parts of the country, which creates challenges around repairs, maintenance, and improvements. That’s why we will reform the 2004 Tenements Act and the 2011 Property Factors Act to enable repairs, maintenance and improvements, and improve service delivery by factors who manage properties.On the environment and cleansing

On transport

I absolutely support public control of buses and know that Council colleagues have been working hard towards a franchising model since the SNP passed the Transport Act 2019. The SNP Scottish Government has been providing funding to local authorities, including Glasgow City Council, to help with that . Strathclyde Partnership for Transport is doing a power of work right now on making the case for the huge public investment franchising will need, and as one of Glasgow’s representatives I will always argue for investment in the City. I also support SPT’s plans for integrated ticketing across the region, linking Subway, buses, trains and more. In the meantime, the SNP has already abolished peak rail fares, frozen ticket prices for another year, and made bus travel free for over 2 million people. If re-elected, we will cap bus ticket prices in Glasgow at £2 within our first 100 days in office.

Read the complete response to this questions and others here

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Latest from our website…

Govanhill, Whit Aboot Yae?: The heart ae Scots isnae wits in a dictionary, it’s in the people who speak it.

Walk down Victoria Road on any given afternoon and you’ll hear it – that sharp, melodic rhythm of Glaswegian Scots ringing out between the fruit stalls and the coffee shops. It’s the sound of our neighbourhood, yet for generations, many were sold a lie: that this way of speaking was merely ‘bad English,’ a habit to be ditched from the tongue at the school gates.

Greater Govanhill on Radio Buena Vida – Scots special

Last week Mikael and Samar prepared a Scots special radio show for Radio Buena Vida. Filled with tunes from local artists, behind the scenes chatter from the contributors, our their reflections on preparing the Scots magazine and what’s coming up next at Greater Govanhill.

Listen back to it below.

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What’s on…

MILK Spring Sessions

Free in house session at MILK from children’s law sessions, dance sessions to ESOL conversations and more.

When: Weekly from April to June]

Where: MILK, 378 Cathcart Road

Culture Conditions - Public Meeting

Bringing people together once more to start organising around arts, space and power in the city - and to figure out what we can actually build together.

Where: Kinning Park Complex
When: Wednesday 6 May, 6pm

Living Rent Branch Meeting: Govanhill

Keep up to date on the housing news in Govanhill, learn more about advocating for yourself and your neighbours

When: Monday 25 May, 6:30pm
Where: MILK cafe, G42 7DF

Living Rent: Door knocking in Govanhill

Share the work that living rent does with your neighbours and find out more about the issues impacting residents

When: Every Tuesday 6pm
Meeting point: Meet at Queen’s Park Victoria Rd Gate

Festival of Hope at Bowling Green Together Pollokshields

Two weeks of workshops celebrating community resistance and solidarity – inviting the people of Pollokshields and the Southside.

When: Monday 4 May - 16 May

Where: 49 McCulloch St, Glasgow, G41 1SU, United Kingdom

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I know what you’re thinking, two newsletters in one week!?

Well, this is just a wee one to make sure you are getting access to this fab discount from the folks over at melting pot for this years Queens Park Spring Weekender!

Some of the GG team will be there enjoying the tunes and shaking our hips, so come along and say hi!

Mikael 💛

The Queen’s Park Spring Weekender kicks off tomorrow (May 2nd & 3rd), and the organisers at Melting Pot have got in touch to offer us & you an amazing discount on tickets for their 25th anniversary!

We know the music can be heard from your doorsteps, so we want you inside the Big Top dancing with us! This year, we have a 30% discount available on ANY ticket – whether you’re coming for the full weekend, Melting Pot’s Saturday disco session, or Optimo’s Sunday takeover.

How to claim:

Simply click the link below and your 30% discount will be automatically applied at checkout.

CLICK HERE FOR 30% OFF TICKETS

Note: There are only 100 uses available on this code, so move fast if you want to snag a spot!

The Small Print: This offer is strictly for residents of Govanhill, Queen’s Park, and the immediate surrounding areas. We want to keep this perk local, so please don’t share the link far and wide – proof of address may be requested at the gate to ensure the discount stays within the community!

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In an interview with Catalan media platform Comunicacio21, Rhiannon said:

”It means a lot to me to see this kind of journalism recognized, because what we do is not traditional journalism in some ways, although we do some elements of traditional investigative journalism. What we do is really community-centered journalism; we take the time to go out and listen to people, to understand what a community, our community, needs in terms of information and connection, and how we can meet that. It’s much more about the process of engaging people with what’s going on around them, connecting them with their neighbors and their neighborhood, and helping to foster higher levels of understanding between people.

“For Greater Govanhill to recognised at this level, on this international stage, is a huge honour – and it’s a privilege for me to accept it. And I do it on behalf of everyone who reads this magazine.

“Over the years we’ve had, I don’t know, maybe 500 people write something for the magazine or get involved with it, whether it’s through writing, photography, illustration, translation, distribution, helping with events, taking part in our training programmes. So I feel like I’m collecting this on behalf of everyone who’s been a part of it and for the Govanhill community itself.”

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MELTING POT RETURNS FOR THEIR 25TH YEAR THIS WEEKEND! [ad]

The Queen’s Park Spring Weekender returns with another out of this world line-up!
Happening this weekend in the Queen’s Park Recreation Ground. With incredible DJs and live music from some of the biggest global and local artists.

The weekender offers music lovers the chance to dance the day and night away inside the event’s now iconic Big Top Tent, and will also feature some of the city’s best food trucks and multiple bars to celebrate the Bank Holiday in style.
———
Queen’s Park Recreation Grounds
2pm - 11pm | Last Entry 5pm | 18+

TICKETS HERE

Latest from our website…

Three minutes on Kenmure Street: we asked FM John Swinney your questions

After months of speaking to residents, holding street stalls and gathering readers’ concerns through our Citizens Agenda project, we were able to put questions from our readers directly to First Minister John Swinney on the campaign trail in Pollokshields. Read More.

OPINION: Why the Southside needs Green policies

From childcare costs to independence, local Green councillor Elaine Gallagher on the key concerns in Glasgow’s Southside – ahead of the Scottish Parliament election, where her neighbouring councillor Holly Bruce is standing for the Scottish Greens this May. Read more.

Out and about in spring

With Spring finally here, it’s a great time to go out and explore the spaces in our neighbourhood and those further afield. Lucy Gillie, of South Seeds, shares some local spaces to get out, from the Southside Tree Trail to a day trip to Campbelltown. Read more.

All you need to know about voting in the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary elections if you’re in the Southside of Glasgow

Our voting guide includes all you need to know for voting in the Scottish Parliament Election on 7 May 2025 if you live in the Southside of Glasgow – including which candidates are standing in Glasgow Southside, how the Additional Member Systems works, where to vote and more. Read more.

Citizens Agenda update

This week we are putting your concerns to all the candidates standing in Glasgow Southside and aim to publish their answers by the beginning of next week. Keep your eye out for this newsletter to read what they say.

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Help us by becoming a member from around £5 a month!

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What’s on…

Glasgow May Day 2026 (presented by Glasgow Trades Union Council)

When: Saturday 3 May, Assemble 10:30am, March from 11am
Where: Barrowland Park, Glasgow
The theme of this year’s march and rally is the ‘The Fight of Our Lives!’, focusing on the plethora of challenges facing our city’s trade unionists today — from the rise of the far-right and the scourge of falling living standards to Trump’s new imperialism and implications at home.

OPENING: Morning Rush

When: Friday 1 May
Where: 1006b Pollokshaws Road, G41 2HG
New coffee takeaway spot opening round the corner. Morning Rush is a new takeaway coffee spot opening in the corner unit of the iconic Camphill Gate building, right beside Glad Cafe.

Kahawa Mzuri Queer Crafts Night

When: Thursday 30 April, 17:00-19:30pm
Where: 357 Dumbarton Road, G11 6AL
Cosy vibes, good chat, and a special sweet treat 👀. Although based in the West End of Glasgow, this is accessible via train from Queens Park or by Number 3 bus from Nithsdale Drive.

Bungo Bootsale

‍When: Sunday 3 May, 12-4pm
Where: The Roma Cultural Centre, 43 Nithsdale Street, G41 2PZ
Grab a bargain at the car-less bootsale. Vintage clothes, second-hand clothes, homeware, bric-a-brac, books, records, toys, baby goods, artworks, handmade items, and more! Want to take part? Book a stall here.

International Workers’ Day in Glasgow

On Sunday 3 May, thousands of workers will march through the centre of Scotland’s largest city to celebrate May Day just four days before the country goes to the polls to elect its next parliament.

Faced with an unprecedented cost of living crisis, stagnant wages and the impact of ongoing wars abroad, Glasgow’s trade unionists will unite to campaign for peace and prosperity, rejecting the political status quo which has failed the city’s working-class.

The People’s Common

The People’s Common is a series of free gatherings, talks, gigs and plays that will take place over two weeks on the terraces in Queens Park.

Rooted in the belief that folk embedded in their communities know what is best for them, the common will bring people together for open conversations about land, justice, health and culture, exploring possibilities for politics beyond electoralism.

Wed 29th April

5-7pm | Friends in Common

Join co-author Joel White for a chat about friendship as a radical practice; capable of upending hierarchies producing social change.

Thu 30th April

5-7pm | Tackling the Far Right.

Looking at the historic context of the far right’s presence in the Southside, and organising against it today. With Radical Glasgow Tours and Living Rent.

Fri 1st May

3-5pm | Community Gardening Workshop

Come and meet Danny, a community gardener for Govanhill Baths Community Trust. At this workshop you can hear about and sign up to the Creative Canopies free fruit tree project. Together we will discuss the design of our communities through Permaculture principles, and sow some sunflower seeds for streets in the Southside.

3-5pm | The Emporium of Radical Ideas

Find out about radical learning and organising in Glasgow at this pop up people’s emporium!

5-8pm | Celebrating International Worker’s Day.

Songs wi Doctur Normul - bring yer instruments and a picnic for a wee session!

Sat 2nd May

3-5pm | Tam Harvie’s Dyke tells the story of a community taking on a greedy landowner in the 1820s, resisting the enclosure of the commons, and winning rights of way along the Clyde. Come and help bring the story to life, with a play reading, lively discussion and a couple of songs.

5-7pm | Bits fae The Chariot, The Flag and the Empty Empty Houses an anti-nuance ceilidh-play, which explores the complicated nature of living on and being from the Isle of Skye. Combining live music, theatre, poetry and comedy, it aims to explore big issues like housing, identity, language and cultural trauma while still feeling like a good night out (or afternoon in this case…)

Sun 3rd May

3-5pm | Printing with plants.

All ages welcome. Follow a trail to learn about the plants growing in our commons and our glasshouses. We’ll be making cyanotype prints using just the sun and our surroundings!

Mon 4th May

5-7pm | What do we need for a healthy community?

A wee talk from Carol Craig (The Tears that Made The Clyde, The Scots Crisis of Confidence) followed by a facilitated group conversation.

Tue 5th May

3-5pm | What does safety feel like where we live?

Join us for an open conversation about community and justice - especially for those who don’t always feel heard. We’ll talk about what harms us, what helps us, and what could change when our lived experiences guide the way. Every voice matters here. Yours is welcome.

Wed 6th May

3-5pm | What next for the Commons?

Time to reflect on the People’s Common, and to develop ideas and actions for how we move forward together.

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“What is a podcast”?

When six women sat down together in the Community Newsroom in January for the first session of our community podcasting course, that was one of the questions one participant asked. A little under four months later, we are today releasing our new six-part podcast series Her Upper Hand - entirely developed, planned, scripted and presented by the same women.

Those women come from all different backgrounds and have had all different life experiences, but they were brought together by one thing: each has been affected by gambling, either their own or that of someone close to them. And all were interested in developing the skills to tell better stories about female gambling harm, in the hope of making change.

At Greater Govanhill, we have explored the issue of gambling harm before, first in early 2023 when we looked at the proliferation of betting shops on our high street, the hidden cost of this issue, policy solutions and how it affected the Roma community.

In the same year, research by GambleAware found that women experience gambling and its harms in different ways from men, but their experiences remain under-explored and they face many additional barriers to accessing support, including childcare commitments, additional stigma and domestic abuse.

So with support from GambleAware’s Improving Outcomes Fund, which aimed to reduce inequalities relating to gambling harm for women and people from minority communities, we ran the first phase of this community reporting project in 2024, training and supporting nine women to produce written articles for a special edition of the magazine. This year’s podcasting course marked the second phase of the project, with some original participants returning and others working with Greater Govanhill for the first time.

[continued on website]

Eve Livingston, journalist and workshop co-producer

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Latest stories from our website…

Greater Govanhill’s new co-produced podcast explores women’s experiences of gambling harms

Six women, six weeks of training, and six unique episodes. By taking full editorial control of the new podcast Her Upper Hand, these community reporters are challenging the industry to listen to female perspectives on gambling harm and driving the conversation toward real policy change.

Glasgow City Council urges voters to register “before it’s too late”

Your vote, your voice: Glasgow has until midnight on Monday 20 April to register for the Scottish Parliament election. With no photo ID required and expanded eligibility for 16-17 year olds, ensure you’re ready to have your say and help shape the local “Citizens Agenda.”

Funding, Fragility, and the Future of Southside Theatre

Glasgow is a global cultural capital, but its foundations are fraying. James Dixon looks at the funding crisis facing Southside theatre makers and explains why “project-based” support is failing the artists – and the communities – who need it most.

An open letter to those accountable to Govanhill’s children

As the closure of the Queens Park glasshouse and the East Pollokshields Quad strips away the final scraps of community space, local parent Ben Kritikos issues a defiant message to those in power: Govanhill’s children are not a political afterthought, and its parents will no longer settle for the paltry largesse of charity.

Visit greatergovanhill.com for more stories from us and follow us on social media so you never miss a beat.

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What do you want politicians to talk about?

• What issues do you want candidates to be speaking about as they compete for your vote?

• What kind of solutions could/would work to tackle these issues?

Click here to share your thoughts

What’s on…

Rumpus Room Seasonal Celebration

When: Saturday 18 April, 1–4pm
Where: Rumpus Room, Langside Lane, G42 8BH
A seasonal drop in celebration for all ages with activities including planting, cooking, potato printing and puppet making.

From Trees to Music

When: Sunday 19 April, 11–3pm
Where: The Deep End, 21 Nithsdale St, G41 2PZ
A free workshop for young people. Take a walk in nature walk, observe and explore the trees, and come back together to create music with the instruments provided. No musical experience needed. 7-10 year session at 1:30–3pm and 11-13 year olds session at 1:30–3pm.
More info: Book your tickets here

Southside Unity March Against Racism

When: Sunday 19 April, 12pm
Where: Assembling at Newlands Park, Kilmarnock Road entrance
Stand Up to Racism wants to celebrate the Southside’s history of resistance, inviting everyone to come together, including families, to march in unity against racism and fascism.

Art and Music Activities at the Burrell Collection

‍When: Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April, 1:30pm
Where: The Burrell Collection, Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, G43 1AT
Free, curated sessions for families to bring young ones to – an afternoon of creative activities, including crafts and music. Open to 5-11 year olds

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Too often, in the run up to a political election, publications are quick to share dramatic stories, sensationalising coverage and platforming what politicians are saying. We want to change the way reporting is done around elections – starting with the questions politicians are responding to.

We believe that starts with asking voters what issues they want politicians to be talking about and what practical solutions should be considered.

This is what our coverage is focusing on in the run up to the Scottish Parliamentary Election on 7 May, and we want your voice to be included.

We’ll then ask the most common questions to candidates and publish their answers before the election. We’ll also work towards reporting on these issues and thinking about how we can work towards solutions.

So we want to hear from you! The survey involves two quick questions. You can respond to them by clicking the link below or commenting on this Substack post:

• What issues do you want candidates to be speaking about as they compete for your vote?

• What kind of solutions could/would work to tackle these issues?

Click here to share your thoughts

You can read more about this project, called the Citizens Agenda, here. Find out who are the candidates standing for Glasgow Southside and other areas.

Plus, in this month’s newsletter, we’ll be sharing upcoming events about Palestine, a Women Against the Far Right demo, our gambling harms podcast and the latest stories from our website

Samar

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Latest stories from our website…

Culture shift: How do we build communities of care?

One writer goes on an exploration of why shifting focus from theory to community power reveals that civil rights and social justice movements are rooted in building networks of care.

‘Twenty-five years too long’: Community marks milestone anniversary of Govanhill Baths occupation

On Saturday 21 March, Scotland’s most diverse neighbourhood will come together to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the occupation of Govanhill Baths. As the trust calls for the final £10 million needed to open the doors, CEO Fatima Uygun warns that Glasgow’s built heritage is at a tipping point.

From matchmaking to made-to-measure: Inside the fabric shops of Cathcart Road

In Glasgow’s Southside, Ferhia Fabrics and neighbouring shops on Cathcart Road brighten grey days with vibrant South Asian fashion. For nearly 50 years, these family-run businesses have served as cultural hubs, blending tradition, community, and craftsmanship while adapting to rising costs, gentrification, and the shift to online retail.

Bakeries, bike lanes and boarded up shops: Examining the evolution of Vicky Road

Victoria Road, one of Govanhill’s key arteries, has become a focal point in the debate around gentrification, local identity and community representation. But what does an explosion of coffee shops really mean? Joanna Krus examined how the high street has actually shifted

Inside the vape shops of Govanhill

Ever since a fire on Union Street burned down a B-Listed and beloved Victorian building, vape shops have been under scrutiny. We set out to learn more about vape culture in Govanhill, who’s selling them, who’s buying them, and how the council plans to implement better protection.

Govanhill Baths’ 25th commemorative anniversary in pictures

On Saturday, 21 March, residents came together to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the occupation of Govanhill Baths. The day of speeches and reflections was captured on picture by photographer, Laura Vroomen.

Your voice, your vote: Why it matters more than ever

After years of SNP dominance, Scotland’s political landscape is shifting. As trust in major parties declines, smaller and emerging groups are gaining ground, making the 2026 Holyrood election more unpredictable than ever and voter participation increasingly crucial.

Artists make Glasgow – on Trongate 103

As another of Glasgow’s much loved art spaces, Trongate 103, is under threat, hundreds gathered to voice their frustration and demand action from Glasgow City Council. One artist, Sadia Sikander, shares photos from the day and thoughts on the impact on artists like herself and users of grassroots spaces.

Living between two worlds: Reflections on Kashmir

A personal reflection on Kashmir, weaving together memory, conflict, and identity. It explores the everyday realities of fear and displacement alongside the region’s natural beauty, culture, and resilience, offering a human perspective on life shaped by ongoing political unrest.

Visit greatergovanhill.com for more stories from us and follow us on social media so you never miss a beat.

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What’s on…

Women Against the Far-Right Scotland Counter Demonstration

When: Saturday 11 April, 2pm
Where: Buchanan Street Steps, Glasgow
Response to anti-migrant protestors, Angry Scottish Men (and women), which is gathering later in the day.

Art Opening: Three Artists, Three Prespectives

When: Sunday 12 April, 4-7pm
Where: Mod Pod Salon & Art Gallery, 9 Rannoch St Glasgow
An evening of art, conversation, and community and launch of new exhibition featuring three artists: Averyl Ritchie, giacinta frisillo and Saira Acosta Diaz.

Communities Together for Palestine and Glasgow

When: Sunday 12 March, 7pm
Where: 70 Coplaw Street
Raising funds for Gaza – a night of food and words about Palestine, including a special guest.
Suggested £2—£5 or donation

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This issue is aw aboot Scots. Fae growin up in Glesga, tae reclaim a language yae were taught wis wrang, tae findin solace in the warmth oor language brings. It’s a love letter tae bein Scottish, nae matter who yae ur or where yer fae.

We received fundin fae the Scottish Guvernment’s Scots Language Publication Grant tae put thegither a scrievin group where we’ve spent the past three months delvin intae the Scots language n oor ain relationship wae it.

In oor time as a wee group we’ve found thit bein Scottish isnae joost about where yer born, it’s aboot bein part ae a diverse group ae people who – fur the maist part – ur open, welcomin, n acceptin. There’s a uniqueness Scots huv in wanton tae share oor culture n learn fae others aboot theirs. N when yae look back through the history ae oor language, oor identity, n even the hings which huv became “inherintly Scottish” huv travelled through time fae ancient cultures n civilisations tae make up bein a Scot thiday.

Take haggis as an example (shock, a know), the tradition ae makin it far ootdates Scotland bein a country let alane its people being known as “Scots” or a language. Roughly four hunner years a’fore Scotland wis Scotland, the Greeks were makin sumin very similar, and four hunner year a’fore that sumin similar is mentioned in The Odyssey.

It’s interestin’ tae hink that mibae haggis wisnae the only hing passed doon fae times long gone, but the inherent warmth a believe aw Scots huv, is the result ae developin n adaptin tradition fae other places throughoot time.

In oor scrievin group, we’ve hud some awfa sound folk who huv taught me a lot n gave me a lot tae hink aboot, stuffa a never woulda considered a’fore. If there’s wan hing we’ve been reminded ae that’s true er enin else, it’s thi nae matter wit wiy yae swiy – or wit yae may hink aboot other people – the heart ae the Scots language is a reflection ae wits possible when cultures merge n people are open tae change – true beauty. Cuz that’s wit Scots is. Pure n utter beauty.

Thank you tae aw the people who came thegither tae make this issue possible. Fur dedicatin yer time n joinin oor scrievin group, providin original works n responses, and fir usin Scots tae look ootside n connect wae somethin else through oor language: Alistair Callander, Andrew Conlin, Calum Kelly, Cat Cochrane, David Carr, David Doren, Farhat Rashid, Fraser Scott, Hayley Jane Dawson, Karmjit Badesha, Seán W. Pieper, Shane Johnstone, Stacey Anderson, Taylor Dyson, Zara Grew

And thank you to you, oor readers, for picking up oor wee mag n gein it some love.

- Mikael

Support us by becoming a member for around £5 a month

Issue 21 Scots Special: Wit Aboot Yae?

Grab your copy from local businesses and community spaces. Or pop round to the Community Newsroom anytime from Tuesday-Friday, 10-5pm.

Discover Glasgow’s Community Sauna [ad]

Nestled in the heart of Pollokshields, the Glasgow Community Sauna is a brand-new non-profit transforming the Southside wellness scene. Located on a repurposed bowling green, this social enterprise provides affordable, accessible sauna and cold plunge sessions seven days a week.

As the first community-led sauna of its kind in the Central Belt, the project fills a vital gap left by the closure of many local public facilities. However, it’s about more than just heat – the mission is built on wellbeing, connection, and radical inclusion.

By creating a welcoming, low-pressure environment, the sauna serves those who may feel uncomfortable in traditional wellness settings. Alongside regular bookings, they offer dedicated sessions for:

• LGBTQ+ individuals

• Refugees and asylum seekers

• Women-only and men-only groups

• Silent sessions for quiet reflection

Whether you’re looking to boost your health or meet your neighbors, Glasgow Community Sauna offers a warm welcome to everyone.

BOOK A HOT SEAT

Latest stories from our website…

Step into the Storybooth: New Greater Govanhill exhibition opens at Tramway

What happens when you invite people in from the street to sit for a portrait and share their story? The Storybooth project captured 75 sitters, two dogs and dozens of conversations – and is now brought together in a new Greater Govanhill exhibition at Tramway.

Have your say 2026: we need you to help us with our election coverage

Tell us, what are the big issues in 2026? We are building a Citizens Agenda for the Holyrood election this summer and we need your help to do that. It’s as easy as responding to a short online survey.

Twelve heeds are better than yin: Hen Hoose Collective at Celtic Connections

Glasgow-based songwriting collective, Hen Hoose, played their latest album at Tramway, part of this year’s Celtic Connections festival. One photographer captured the magic of the night, and in anticipation of our upcoming magazine, the writer reviewed it in Scots, the theme of issue 21 of Greater Govanhill.

Roma News and Views: Home, hope, human rights, and having a voice to fight back with

Patricie Zbila, a Young Catalyst, shares how community work and human rights education from Romano Lav gave her the tools to challenge rising anti-migrant rhetoric.

Roma News and Views: Doma, naděje, lidská práva a mít hlas pro boj s

Patricie Zbila, Young Catalyst sdílí, jak komunitní práce a vzdělávání v oblasti lidských práv od Romana Lava jí daly nástroje k boji proti rostoucí anti-migrační rétorice.

Greater Govanhill calls for support for community media at Scottish Parliament

Greater Govanhill joined community media organisations from across Scotland at the Scottish Parliament to highlight the role of local journalism in strengthening communities – and the need for greater support for the sector.

A journey through radical Govanhill

Explore Govanhill’s rich history of activism, from protests and political organising to major community campaigns and victories. This guide from Radical Glasgow Tours highlights key sites across the neighbourhood, uncovering the stories of resistance and collective action that have shaped one of Glasgow’s most politically active communities.

Visit greatergovanhill.com for more stories from us and follow us on social media so you never miss a beat.

News in brief from the neighbourhood…

Glasgow pledges more street-cleansing crews

Glasgow City Council has committed to bolstering its street-cleansing services by adding six to seven new neighbourhood cleansing teams, responding to long-standing concerns over litter, fly-tipping and dirty streets. The council says the expanded teams aim to improve local high streets, residential areas and public spaces, while unions representing cleansing workers have welcomed the move as a boost to frontline services.

New photographic zines document community protests from the Southside

Photographer Jeromy Sutton-Hibert has released a series of photographic zines called Protest in Glasgow Southside. Featuring the ‘No M77’ environmental protests in Pollok in 1994/95 against the extension of the M77 motorway, the ‘Save Our Pool’ campaign from 2001, and the celebrated Kenmure Street protest in 2021. Alongside the images, forewords for each zine have been provided by experts, local people and activists. You can order the series on jeremysuttonhibbert.com.

Scotland passes Community Wealth Building law
The Scottish Parliament has passed landmark world-leading Community Wealth Building legislation – placing a legal duty on councils, health boards and other public bodies to keep wealth circulating locally rather than flowing to distant investors. The new law requires public agencies to work with communities on action plans focused on local procurement, jobs, social enterprises and community ownership of land and assets – a move supporters say could help tackle inequality and strengthen neighbourhoods like Govanhill.

PolSco: Polish/Scottish choir in Govanhill are looking for tenors and basses

PolSco, a local choir rehearsing in Govanhill on Monday evenings, are looking for new members to join – especially tenors and basses. They are an auditioned choir that sing acapella music in various languages such as Polish, Scots, Gaelic and English. If you’re interested, you can drop them an email: polscochoir@gmail.com.

Loving our newsletter and the work we do? Help us by becoming a member from around £5 a month!

Become a member today!

What’s on…

Govanhill Baths 25th Anniversary

When: Saturday 21 March, 5-7pm

Where: Govanhill Baths, 99 Calder Street
Free & Drop-in

Adrian Spring Quiz

When: Sunday 22 March, 7pm

Where: Adrains, 441 Victoria Road

The Southside Singaround

When: Sunday 22 March, 2pm

Where: Ryan’s Bar, 165 Allison Street

Southside Unity March Against Racism

When: Sunday 19 April

Where: Location to be confirmed here

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We recommend you read our explainer article, which details how we plan to cover the election this year and what we mean by a ‘Citizens Agenda’ — trust us, it’s not as complicated as it sounds and it may well help you make your decision this summer when casting your vote.

We want you, the public, our community, to be at the centre of our election coverage to put the power back in the hands of the people politicians are supposed to serve —so please also take the time to fill out our survey if you can.

We’ve also shared some articles online this week that you can read here if you missed them; from Iranians in Glasgow speaking out against the crackdown on protests in Iran – to building community wealth with community media.

And scroll down for a selection of local events to consider going to over the weekend and next week! Hopefully there’s something in this week’s newsletter that brightens and warms a rather dull, chilly Friday.

— Devon

Support us by becoming a member today

Latest stories from our website…

Have your say 2026: we need you to help us with our election coverage

Tell us, what are the big issues in 2026? We are building a Citizens Agenda for the Holyrood election this summer and we need your help to do that. It’s as easy as responding to a short online survey.

Iranians in Glasgow speak out

In Iran, protestors have taken to the streets, demanding change. Met with violence, with many being killed as well as an internet blackout, Iranians in Glasgow’s Southside share their voices as they watch the events unfold, urging for their voices to be heard.

Palestinian student calls for support to study in Glasgow

A Palestinian student has received an unconditional offer to study at the University of Glasgow. Trapped and displaced in Gaza, under the threat of airstrikes, he is urging for support, calling for an organisation or individual to support him through sponsorship.

Who has the right to urban land?

Community Right to Buy is one way communities can reimagine belonging in urban spaces through community ownership. But one writer’s research highlights deeper concerns of how the land reform movement leaves some communities feeling they don’t even have the right to be in public spaces.

Reclaiming the narrative: building community wealth with community media

As Community Wealth Building is passed into law in Scotland – in a world first – Lucas Batt of Greater Community Media explores how community media such as Greater Govanhill can play an important part in doing just that.

Upcoming events…

👪 Drop in to Queer Families Glasgow’s free monthly event for LGBTQ+ people starting families, or wanting to, on Saturday 7 February, from 12:30-2:30pm at Rumpus Room in Govanhill. For people just looking for advice or to connect with other queer families.

🪴 Get yourself along to Friends of Queen’s Park’s gardening session on 7 February, from 10am-12pm. Meet the group in the Rose Garden. All welcome! Coffee and cake provided.

🧕 Join Amina’s Employability Workshop for Muslim & Minority Ethnic women in Glasgow. The free session on 11 February runs from 10am-1pm focusses on interview preparation and will be held in the Amina MWRC building in Pollokshields.

🎶 Georgian state ensemble, Rustavi host workshop + concert at Queen’s Park Govanhill Parish Church on Thursday 12 February from 6-10pm. Ticketted with varying prices.

🎨 You are invited to The Watermelon & The Olive: An Exhibition & Art Sale for Gaza organised by Glasgow Artists for Palestine. The exhibition takes place on 13, 14 and 15 February from 11am-5pm, at Al-Furqan Mosque, 19 Carrington Street.

💘 A Valentine’s Bonfire has been organised by SouthSeeds. Happening on Valentine’s Day (Saturday 14 February) and kicking off at 6:30pm, this event takes place in the croft — SouthSeeds’ community gardn — which is accessed through the Recs.

🌙 Preparing for Ramadan. To help people prepare for Ramadan this year the Al-Farooq Education and Community Centre has released a timetable for Ramadan 2026 (1447):

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We’re building the Govanhill Glossary for Issue 21! Wit huv yi heard?

As part of our upcoming Scots issue of Greater Govanhill Magazine, we’ve ben building a glossary of Scots words used and heard in our neighbourhood. Along with our Scots Language Scrievin Group, we’ve built quite the list - but we want to hear from you!

What Scots words or phrases have you heard around Govanhill? Let us know at: newsroom@greatergovanhill.com

Particularly where the fluctuating availability of funding for community organisations is concerned.

This week we can celebrate Community Renewal receiving a funding boost for their Roma youth project, after recently losing funding – alongside Greater Govanhill – from the Glasgow Communities Fund

It goes to show how unpredictable funding affects the delivery of services available. to people in the community – and whether or not they are deliverable at all.

But also highlights the grassroots nature of Govanhill, a community always ready to rally together to protect our rights, much loved spaces and vital services, as we share easy ways you can help or get involved.

This attitude of solidarity and resilience is reflected in our upcoming events section, where we share protests, banner making sessions and fundraiser events organised by community groups for causes close to our hearts.

And, as a nice change, I thought it would be good to share a couple of Scotland-wide good news stories that many local residents, dog lovers and Palestine Action supporters, will no doubt be delighted by this Friday.

Read on for the details! 🗞️

— Devon

After we lost our funding the best thing you can do to support is become a member for around £5 a month.

Latest stories from our website…

Govanhill organisation get share of pot of funding for Roma Youth Project

Several Glasgow based youth charities, including Govanhill’s Community Renewal Trust, received a funding boost. Community Renewal will use the money for a new Roma Youth Project. Read More

Reclaiming the narrative: building community wealth with community media

As Community Wealth Building is set to be passed into law in Scotland – in a world first – Lucas Batts of Greater Community Media explores how community media such as Greater Govanhill can play an important part in doing just that.

My Life before Govanhill: Nicola Scott

In our latest segment of My Life Before Govanhill, A South London–born creative reflects on mixed heritage, film, community and belonging, tracing a journey through museums, grassroots arts and finally finding home, friendship and inspiration in Govanhill. Read More

Visit greatergovanhill.com for more stories from us and follow us on social media so you never miss a beat.

Run a local group? Got a local business? An event coming up? A campaign you’re about to launch?

We’re currently running a special offer on our advertising packages - offering big discounts if you book up a years worth of advertising before the end of Jan.

This means a space in each of our four print issues this year, PLUS FREE bonus add-on ins including newsletter features and social media posts.

Not only are you reaching a wide and diverse audience across Glasgow Southside, but you’re supporting independent grassroots non-profit media that make a difference locally.

Visit our website or email advertising@greatergovanhill.com to discuss how we can help you. All budgets catered to with our bespoke offerings!

We’re building the Govanhill Glossary for Issue 21! Wit huv you heard?

As part of our upcoming Scots issue of Greater Govanhill Magazine, we’ve ben building a glossary of Scots words used and heard in our neighbourhood. Along with our Scots Language Scrievin Group, we’ve built quite the list - but we want to hear from you!

What Scots words and/or phrases have you heard around Govanhill? Let us know at: newsroom@greatergovanhill.com

Local writer Cat Cochrane to publish ‘Glasgow Hairdresser’s & Barber’s Tales

Bringing together stories from the salon, Glasgow writer Cat Cochrane is gathering the best of the city’s barbers and hairdresser’s tales in a book collection due for publication by Art Riot Press in 2026. You may have read some of her visits in our recent mags.

If you’d like to be part of the book, get involved by sharing your best anecdotes, memories of favourite customers and little wisdoms of being a hardresser or barber in our great city.

Cat is currently visiting salons and barber’s shops across Greater Glasgow gathering stories and is happy to drop by at your best convenience to collect your words in person.

Contact Cat via email: catcochrane20@gmail.com instagram: catcochrane_writer

Upcoming events…

🏳️‍⚧️ Help Trans Kids Deserve Better Scotland make materials for action during their Community Arts and Crafts Banner Making event on Saturday 31 January (tomorrow) from 1-4pm in the Refuweegee space, 24 George Square Reception.

🌙 Life in Ramadan workshop with Islamic trivia and prizes at The Ark, 70 Coplaw Street from 11:30am-1:30pm. Refreshments are provided and RSVP is required. Email: nurlifesisters@gmail.com to secure a spot.

✊ Join Milk Community Glagsow for their Pub Quiz on fundraising for the Thousand Madleens to Gaza Flotilla on Friday 6 February from 6:30pm at their hub on 378 Cathcart Road. This event is ticketed and seats are limited but you can still donate here.

🪧 Join Rom Romeha’s protest to stop the closure of their Roma-rights based advice service on Saturday 7 February, from 12–2pm at Queen’s Park Govanhill Parish Church. Let Glasgow City Council know this vital service must stay open and be properly resourced.

Become a member today!

Elsewhere in the news…

Help prevent the closure of Glasgow’s Roma rights based advice service

Rom Romeha are calling upon the community to help them keep their essential Roma rights based advice service running:

They have urged the public to stand beside them and take action for the many Roma families who “need this service to survive and thrive.”

The petition, No Advice No Justice: Prevent the closure of Glasgow’s Roma rights advice service, calls upon Glasgow City Council, the Scottish Governmetn and other elected officals to stop the closure of this vital support service, which is under threat due to insufficient funding.

In a public statement on social media Rom Romeha said:

“This critical service must stay open. Roma families rely on it to overcome language barriers and to access housing, welfare, immigration, employment, and public services.
Without sufficient funding, this essential advice service will close, placing Roma people at increased risk of exploitation, marginalisation, and discrimination. Child poverty will increase.”

Liberated Zone events cancelled today in solidarity with CCA workers

Art Workers For Palestine Scotland have cancelled today’s Liberated Zone events this morning, which were supposed to commence at 3pm and end at 8pm.

The move is in response to CCA Whistleblowers revelations, which were posted on Instagram just last night. You can read their full statement below to better understand their decision:

Art Workers For Palestine have not yet cancelled Saturday’s events and will release a full statement later today.

In regard to today’s cancellation they have said: “We will fight any attempt by the board and Creative Scotland to threaten people’s jobs and/or try to shut down the CCA. We urge all colleagues across the Scottish arts to prepare to fight back to defend jobs and the future for our vital cultural centre.”

Follow @artworkersforpalestinescotland and @cca_whistleblowers on Instagram for any further updates.

Support Greater Govanhill

Scotland-wide good news: from challenging Palestine Action’s proscription to expanding animal rights

The proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist group is being challenged here in Scotland

A judge at the highest level in civil court, Lord Young, has approved a judicial review of the ban in late February, followed by a two-day hearing in March.

Since the ban came into place in 2024/2025 thousands have been arrested, many for merely holding placards that read ‘I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action’ and similar messaging that echoed this sentiment.

The hope is it will eventually put an end to the unfair labelling of protesters as terrorists, and therefore the detainment or imprisonment of pro-Palestine protesters in Scotland. The review could also have significant implications for the constitution.

Scotland votes to ban Greyhound racing with an overwhelming majority

Greyhound racing to be banned completely in Scotland after years of campaigning from animal rights groups and supporting elected officials pays off.

With a whopping 69 votes for ‘Yes’ against 27 votes for ‘No’ the Green Parties Bill to ban greyhound racing has just taken a monumental step forward after it was backed by the Scottish Parliament at stage 1.

The fight to end greyhound racing has been ongoing form sometime in Scotland, and animal rights groups are elated to now be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

The banning of greyhound racing would see tracks across the country close down, like the already derelict Shawfield track in the Southside, which has been a sign of the dying interest in the cruel sport for sometime now.

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That’s the Selkirk Grace, a Scottish prayer attributed to poet Robert Burns. It’s simple and traditionally would be said before eating meals. It's said to show gratitude for the food on the table and for the people we break bread with.

Even though it isn’t hard for community groups and orgs like ourselves to fall into a sense of insecurity when it comes to losing funding, we’ve never been more grateful for the community behind us.

That’s why I’ve shared this poem today, not only because Burns Night is this weekend but because it reminds us to show gratitude for what we do have on our plate and those sat at our table. We have you, readers and residents, sat at our table, keeping us going — Sae fur that, let Govanhill be Thankit!

There’s plenty more to celebrate this week, including; tickets for Kenmure Street doc celebrating resistance going on sale soon; funds being raised for the Trans community; and a newly established charity delivering its first support session for asylum seekers and refugees this month.

If the good news has fired you up this Friday, see how you can help support some of these local groups and communities in this weeks newsletter.

That’s all for now, have a great weekend and enjoy the read.

- Devon

SUPPORT THE MAG. BECOME A MEMBER TODAY.

Run a local group? Got a local business? An event coming up? A campaign you're about to launch?

We're currently running a special offer on our advertising packages - offering big discounts if you book up a years worth of advertising before the end of Jan.

This means a space in each of our four print issues this year, PLUS FREE bonus add-on ins including newsletter features and social media posts.

Not only are you reaching a wide and diverse audience across Glasgow Southside, but you're supporting independent grassroots non-profit media that make a difference locally.

Email advertising@greatergovanhill.com to discuss how we can help you. All budgets catered to with our bespoke offerings!

Latest stories from our website…

Greater Govanhill and Community Renewal Rom Romeha lose Glasgow Communities Funding

The Glasgow Communities Fund is one of the few opportunities to source vital multiyear operational funding. Greater Govanhill is one of several community organisations in the neighbourhood to lose out this year, meaning your support means more than ever.

Tickets for Everybody to Kenmure Street at GFT go on sale Monday

The full programme for the Glasgow Film Festival has been announced. This year’s festival opens with Felipe Bustos Sierra’s film Everybody to Kenmure Street in February and closes with the screening of James McAvoy’s new film California Schemin’ in March.

Extract from How Does Change Happen: Scenes From Frontline Activism

While community council meetings may seem dull, they give residents real influence. Low attendance risks losing our collective voice on local issues that shape a fairer, cleaner, more connected neighbourhood. One resident explores the topic further.

Like my grandmother used to make: Utica Greens

In our latest issue, giacinta explores a nostalgic vegetarian recipe rooted in Italian-American “depression food”. Touching on tales of migration, memory, and how escarole was cooked the way Utica families did, helped make flavour stretch through hardship, gardens, and generations.

My Life before Govanhill: Nicola Scott

In our latest segment of My Life Before Govanhill, A South London–born creative reflects on mixed heritage, film, community and belonging, tracing a journey through museums, grassroots arts and finally finding home, friendship and inspiration in Govanhill.

Want to stay up-to-date? Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or BlueSky, where we always share the latest stories from our website.

Elsewhere in the news…

Southside charities running new asylum seeker and refugee family cooking classes need your help

Last week Seham & Najma — a charity supporting ‘a sense of belonging, dignity, and the general wellbeing of people seeking sanctuary' — partnered with Weans’ Scran Kitchin’, a local cooking school for children, young people and adults, to deliver their first ever session for asylum seekers and refugees.

After delivering their first support session for those in the asylum system who have no access to cooking facillities (or no financial support at all), Seham & Najma have called upon people to interesting in supporting them in anyway — even if just to help provide teas and coffees to make the space welcoming — to get in contact with them.

You may recognise the Seham & Najma CEO as Sadia Sikandar, who wrote about her first-hand experience of the asylum system and the conditions those seeking refuge have to make do with in her award-winning article: Facing hatred with hope.

Whether you’d be interested in volunteering your time or donating some funds, be sure to directly contact them through Instagram or Facebook. Or simply donate to their Emergency Fund For Asylum Seekers Living Without Kitchens to help them reach their funding goal. So far they have £590 left to raise of their £600 target.

You can register for a new 4-month Digital Confidence programme

If you or anyone you know is struggling to navigate modern life online consider registering to join a new 4-month Digital Confidence programme.

Funded by the People’s Postcode Lottery this training course is completely free. It’s a great opportunity to grow your confidence and gain new, essential digital skills — we’ve reported on the impact of digital exclusion before so we know how important it is to stay connected today.

The course starts in March 2026. You can sign up for the full programme or just the specific sessions that interest you.

Find out more here.

Applications for the EBN Architecture and Arts Grant 2026 are open

The Architecture and Arts Grant offers £5,000 to young adults who ‘want to shape the future.’

The money will enable successful applicants to propose their own projects in the realms of art and architecture.

People aged 17-35 years old (residing in the EEA, UK, or US) should apply between 1 Jan - 28 Feb. Association EBN will notify the successful applicant on or before 30 April. The project must be completed and presented by June 30 2027.

Write to the funders at associationebn-hello@yahoo.com with any questions.

Find out more here.

LOBO on Pollokshaws Road are hiring!

Are you an experienced chef de partie? Looking for a new job? Try LOBO. The local Mediterranean-inspired eatery. 30-40 hours are available to someone with the experince and availability to work them.

LOBO said: ‘The candidate must be dependable, positive and eager to learn. In return we can offer a fun, fast paced place to work with the chance to contribute creatively to our regularly changing seasonal menu.’

For more information you can get in touch by calling Rosie on 07951168757 or emailing alex@loboglasgow.co.uk with the subject ‘FAO Rosie’.

Upcoming events…

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Join the Kingarth Lane Burns Gathering this Sunday 25 Jan from 11am for a local litter pick followed by lunch, songs and poems sung around the fire pit.

🇵🇸 Help Art Workers For Palestine Scotland transform the CCA space into the Liberated Zone today from 4pm - 8pm. Funds raised tomorrow will raise go to @gaza_skate_team and Gaza Mutual Aid Funds.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Milk are opening their doors to all for a Burns Night feast on Saturday 25 Jan from 6:30pm. Tickets are £30 — every event Milk put on supports the work they do with refugees across the city. Spaces are limited so boook your ticket now if interested.

📽️ FEMME: Screening Rebel Dykes at Adrian’s Bar on Jan 29 — now International Rebel Dykes Day! Book your tickets this January and join pop FEMME and the Glasgow Leatherdykes at Adrian’s Bar on Vicky Rd from 6:30pm for a celebratory showing of the film, followed by a Q&A with Rebel Dykes filmmaker Siobhan Fahey.

🏳️‍⚧️ Trans Health Access Glasgow are hosting a Pub Quiz Fundraiser on Sunday 1 Feb from 6:30pm at Variety Bar in the City Centre. Help Trans Health Access Glasgow raise funds this February at an LGBTQ+ themed quiz. The event is ticketed on a sliding scale basis.

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It’s been a nippy start to the new year and some of our photographers have been out about snapping some pics of the neighbourhood cast in frost; from frozen layers of fractalised water blurring car windows to misty walks in the park.

It’s not been the best commute back to the office after an indulgent holiday period at home, but the box of chocolates on the desk has kept us all going this week — that and the completion of our fundraising raffle! If you took part in the raffle, thanks so much for buying a ticket, even if you didn’t win anything, because you helped us reach our fundraising target! If you did win something don’t forget to pop round and see us to collect your prize.

We’re still trying to raise as much funds as we can after loosing a big chunk of funding this year so if you’d like to show your support consider becoming a member for a few quid a month (see the big yellow button below).

That’s all from me, as always I hope you enjoy this week’s newsletter!

-Devon

Support us and become a member today

Latest stories from our website…

Local restaurant Zak’s Drive-Thru gave big burger chains a run for their money after fake McDonald’s stunt

A Youtuber famous for his stunts online helped owner Zak transform his business into a mock-McDonald’s drive-thru, serving up free food to punters poached from the real McDonald’s nearby in a bid to help the struggling local restaurant compete with the big burger chains nearby.

Who speaks for Govanhill? – The quiet power of community councils

While community council meetings may seem dull, they give residents real influence. Low attendance risks losing our collective voice on local issues that shape a fairer, cleaner, more connected neighbourhood. One resident explores the topic further.

Everybody to Kenmure Street to open the 2026 Glasgow Film Festival

In 2021 hundreds organised in Pollokshields’ Kenmure Street, preventing the UK Home Office from taking their neighbours during a dawn raid. Five years later, filmmaker Felipe Busto Sierra, premiers, Everybody to Kenmure Street, at the 2026 Glasgow Film Festival, documenting the events of the day.

Makongo confronts borders, identity and belonging on debut album ‘Passport’

“No one is illegal, we are all equal” is the message of Makongo’s debut album ‘Passport’. In this article Makongo vocalist Ngana talks about the sounds, themes and inspiration behind their new album, and shares details for their upcoming gig at The Glad.

Frosty photos of the neighbourhood in winter by members of the Greater Govanhill Photography Group

Upcoming events

Power Shift: The Real Energy Question at Celtic Connections

Jan 18, 3pm, The Green Room, The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Killermont St, G2 3NW

Join Scotland’s Makar Peter Mackay, improviser Pippa Evans, Bella Caledonia’s Mike Small, futurists Pat Kane and Indra Adnan, National Theatre of Scotland co-founder Simon Sharkey, and more to discuss the transition to clean, community-owned energy.

Tickets: £13.82

The Hidden Kitchen community cooking sessions

Starting Jan 27, from 10am to 1pm on Tuesdays, at The Hidden Gardens, 25a Albert Drive

Regular, warm community coooking sessions for folk living in the G41/G42. No cooking experience is needed and everything is provided for you.

If interested in joining theses cooking sessions, email mo@hiddengardens.org.uk

Creative Writing Retreat at Govanhill Baths

Jan 31, 11am to 4pm, Govanhill Baths Community Trust, 126 Calder Street, G42 7RA

Join Kelvingrove Writers, Pluriversal Writing Group, and The Good Egg Project on a writing retreat for creative writers. The goals of the retreat are to bring writers from across Scotland together, build stronger community connections, and get words on paper.

Tickets: £16.96

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Mikael here, and I am absolutely buzzin’ to be back in The Community Newsroom after two long (and lovely) weeks away! I hope your year is off to a great start.

As we kick off 2026, we’ve taken a moment to look back at everything we achieved together last year. Can you believe it’s been five years (?!) since we launched Greater Govanhill? Looking at our 2025 Wrapped makes me incredibly proud of the 52 writers, 31 photographers, and 15 illustrators who helped us tell the stories of the Southside this past year.

But while we celebrate the past, we’re charging into the future with a bit of a challenge. Our Greater Govanhill Christmas Raffle officially closes TOMORROW. We recently lost some core funding, so every ticket you buy doesn’t just give you a chance to win local prizes – it helps us keep our newsroom doors open and ensures we can keep telling these stories for another five years. Plus, we are sooo close to our £1000 goal!

I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

Stay cozy,

Mikael 💛

🎟️ LAST CALL: The Greater Govanhill Raffle

We’re all slowly getting back to the swing of things after our break, and due to the weather warning put out this morning, we aren’t able to carry our our planned draw today. HOWEVER, this gives you one final chance to win amazing prizes from local legends like Transylvania, Lobo, Radio Buena Vida, and more if you haven’t already grabbed yours! We are sooo close to our £1000 target. Could you help us over the line?

We’ll be drawing our prize winners tomorrow LIVE over on our Instagram, so make sure to tune in from 1pm!

Buy your raffle tickets here

🎁 Greater Govanhill 2025: Wrapped

It’s been a bumper year for our independent community media. Here is a deeper look at what we achieved together:

The Big Wins

• 4 Incredible Issues: From Hidden Lives to our 20th Special Issue, we kept print alive.

• Award-Winning Stories: We took home first prize AND runner up in the features category of the Scottish Refugee Festival Media Awards!

• Global Reach: Our team shared the Greater Govanhill model at events in London, Lisbon, Sicily, Bonn and beyond.

• Beyond the Page: We hosted exhibitions at Tramway, ran the Storybooth at the International Festival, and published the Govanhill Game of Life! (Did you play it over Christmas?)

What You Read Most

Our digital coverage reached more people than ever this year, focusing on the issues that matter to you:

• Local Politics: Our Citizens Agenda project for the Southside Central by-election moved the focus from parties to the people, asking candidates the questions you wanted answered.

• Community Recipes: Our “Like My Grandmother Used To Make” series continues to fly off the digital shelves, with Naomi’s Jewish Chicken Soup, Usma’s Vegetable Pakora, and Mursal’s Afghan Bolani being some of your favourites. Get the physical recipe book here.

• Action for Palestine: From reporting on the “pot-banging” protests to building an Apartheid Free Zone in Govanhill, our coverage of local solidarity remains some of our most vital work.

Team Highlights

• Samar Jamal: I look fondly at the photography project we did: One Day in Govanhill. While it was simple in its concept there was so much richness in the results. It captured generations of heritage, from shimmery clothes in shop fronts, fluttering Palestine flags, parks and everything in between. It also helped strip away some of the mystery of Govanhill, encouraging us to venture on streets we don’t normally find ourselves, back lanes we might overlook, to really take in the people, buildings, signs and details that shape Govanhill. It felt like a snapshot of this dear place through the eyes of people deeply connected to it…

• Laura Vroomen: In the second year of the Greater Govanhill Photography Group, it's been great to see the work of many of our members published both inprint and online. Their images have graced regular features such as the style icon, the celebration of 10 years of Milk and coverage of Govanhill Festival and the International Women's Day fashion show at Romano Lav, to name but a few…

• Rhiannon Davies: I think one of my personal highlight though has been watching the team grow and take on more responsibilities and leadership roles – managing the magazine production process entirely with little input required from me.

  It has also been incredible to hear from different people about the impact the magazine has had on them. Speaking at the event gambling harms event, one of the participants of our course said that doing this work with us enable them to let go of shame they had been holding and move on with their life. Another spoke about how the opportunities it had opened up for them had changed their life…

• Mikael Phillips: It’s been just over a year now since I joined greater Govanhill and I’m so grateful to be part of the team. Our Greater Govanhill Magazine: LIVE event held in Tramway last August was a highlight for me; seeing community members take part and creating a living/breathing version of what our magazine holds was truly magical. Plus, the free wine at the meet-ups and events was definitely a highlight ;-). I’m really excited to see what 2026 holds in store for us all and especially can’t wait for our next issue!

Read the full 2025 Wrapped Article here

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Join our Scots Language Writing Group on WhatsApp📱

We’ve launched a NEW WhatsApp group for any and all who want to join our Scots Language Group where we are creating, writing, and working towards Issue 21 together! If you want to take part, click the button to join now!

Our next session is this evening –  January the 6th, 6:30 - 8:30pm @ The Community Newsroom! All welcome.

join here

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What’s on in the Southside this January

Songs & Stories: Brian McDaid, Michael McMillan & Diana Schad
When: Sunday 11 January, doors 7:30pm
Where: The Glad Café, 1600A Pollokshaws Road
An evening of live folk music and storytelling from three acclaimed performers. Over 18s only.
More info: Tickets £15 via thegladcafe.co.uk

Celtic Connections
When: Thursday 15 January – Sunday 1 February 2026
Where: Glasgow venues, including Tramway and Glad Cafe
This annual winter festival features folk, roots and world music concerts, ceilidhs, workshops and late-night sessions across multiple venues.
More info: See celticconnections.com

Come Dancing with Phil Kelsall MBE
When: Saturday 17 January, 2–5pm
Where: Pollokshaws Burgh Hall, 2025 Pollokshaws Road
The principal organist of the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool performs an afternoon of dance and music on the Wurlitzer organ.
More info: Tickets from £11 via Eventbrite

Letters to the Future
When: Monday 26 January, 7:30–10:30pm
Where: Tramway, 25 Albert Drive
A world-premiere concert exploring themes of legacy, climate and the role of art in shaping the future, following a year-long creative development process.
More info: Tickets from £16 via tramway.org

A Celebration of Inclusive Music and Dance
When: Wednesday 28 January, 7:30–10:30pm
Where: Tramway, 25 Albert Drive
A collaborative performance featuring inclusive dance groups musicALL and Indepen-dance, showcasing creative expression through music and movement.
More info: Tickets £12 via tramway.org

Glasgow South Concert Series: Undici Project
When: Saturday 31 January, 1–2pm
Where: Queen’s Park Govanhill Church, 170 Queen’s Drive
Chamber orchestra performing reduced versions of orchestral works by Beethoven and Wagner, conducted by John Grant.
More info: Tickets £6, cash or card at the door

It seems the latest storm has finally passed through - which I couldn’t be more thankful for - as being someone with a curl in their hair and a *slightly* larger forehead, I’ve been living this past fortnight as a wind-swept Albert Einstein Impersonator 🔬… hopefully you’ve had more success than me haha.

It’s just over ONE WEEK until our raffle closes & the winners are announced, and with more prizes coming through from local artists, businesses, and legends (👀) there isn’t a better time to get your raffle on!

Plus, as Samar mentioned last week - after an unsuccessful funding application result which we have previously received - your support now means more than ever and each raffle strip purchased brings us one step closer to hitting our goal of £1000 by the New Year. We’re already half way at £500 🎉. See below for how you can be entered into a draw to win all of our new merch below…

Have a lovely week everyone and a very merry christmas when it comes.

-Mikael 💛

Click here to enter

WE HAVE MORE RAFFLE PRIZES… and a special draw just for our newsletter subscribers ;)

More prizes have been added to our raffle draw (see below), but - for this week only - we are giving you the chance to get your hands on some of the fresh-off-the-press Greater Govanhill merch by doing only ONE thing! Share our raffle fundraiser with ONE person and when they purchase a strip, you’ll both be entered into our merch draw!

Just send us the name of the person to: mikael@greatergovanhill.com and we’ll be announcing the winner along with the raffle prizes on December 29th.

Current prizes up for grabs:

• Lobo voucher

• Boca voucher

• Rags to Riches £100 workshop voucher

• Seamster Vintage bag set

• Radio Buena Vida scarf

• The Wee Retreat voucher for three months access to Creating Calm library of online meditations

• Two tickets for a Radical Glasgow Tour

• Voucher for Mount Florida Books

• handmade Large Tea Mug from Claire Henry ceramics

• MASSIVE HAMPER from Transylvania Coffee & Shop

• Merch from Greater Govanhill + a 12 month digital membership subscription

• Plus more to be announced!

buy 1 strip for £5 | buy 2 strips for £8

The latest from our website…

A New Years’ request from Bethlehem - Come and see

As Christmas approaches, it’s vital to look beyond festivities and understand life today in Jesus’ birthplace, Bethlehem, living under constant threat of displacement and violence. Govanhill residents Ruth and Rebecca highlight the work of Tent of Nations, which invites volunteers to act as a protective presence during the olive harvest, helping to reduce some harm from Israeli forces.

Southside MSP Nicola Sturgeon signs motion in support of hunger strikers, campaigners urge others to do the same

Eight prisoners on hunger strike in English prisons, detained over alleged actions in support of Palestine, may die, lawyers and family warn. Scottish politicians and campaigners call for urgent action, fair trials, and recognition of their plight. Read here.

Palestine protesters rally at Hampden over Barclays partnership

Campaign group, Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card, gathered outside Scotland’s National Stadium, Hampden, last Sunday, opposing its new Barclays partnership. Protestors described the deal as “sportwashing” as the bank supports investments in Israeli military funding. Read here.

MILK: 10 years of supporting migrant and refugee women

Founded in Govanhill in 2015, MILK began as a social enterprise café and has grown into a vital community space supporting refugee and migrant women, offering care, connection, advocacy and free wellbeing activities in a welcoming, volunteer-led environment. Read here.

📱 Join our WhatsApp Community 📱

Join Greater Govanhill’s new WhatsApp community for the latest neighbourhood news, updates from us, and early access to article briefs if you’re a writer.

Stay informed without the endless scrolling – it’s a space to read, not chat.

Click here to join.

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