
Building trust: learning lessons from nature
When nature took the lead in restoring a Czech wetland, a colony of beavers accomplished what years of planning couldn’t. Their instinctive, collaborative work offers a metaphor for how communities thrive when trusted and supported.
The Govanhill music collectives transforming traditional music
Rebecca W Morris catches up with Ben Vardi from Duende and Anna, Lili and Joel from How Serene to talk about breathing life into old forms of traditional music, and how the local trad music revival aims to bring people of all backgrounds together.
Govanhill community reacts to UK Supreme Court decision on gender
The UK Supreme Court’s ruling that legal definitions of “man” and “woman” are based on biological sex has sparked fierce debate across Scotland. Trans advocates, politicians, community groups and legal experts warn the decision oversimplifies complex realities, putting trans people at risk of exclusion from essential spaces and services. Now that the dust has began to settle, what’s in-store for the future of gender reform in Scotland?
From community gardens to sustainable coffee: Govanhill projects win funding for local research
Grassroots initiatives based in Govanhill have received over £10,000 in funding from the Royal Society of Edinburgh and Williamson Trust to support local, sustainable solutions, from greener coffee choices to children’s nature play and urban gardening.
Volunteer Spotlight: David Baumann
From competitive swimmer to community archivist, David Baumann has spent a lifetime at Govanhill Baths. In this Volunteer Spotlight, he shares memories of the Zenith Swimming Club and his ongoing work with the Baths' Archive and Heritage project.
Our new exhibition opens at Tramway: Stories from our Streets
Stories from our Streets exhibition opens at Greater Govanhill’s Community Space at Tramway. The heritage exhibition features videos and an interactive map but at its heart is the photographic project capturing the diversity of the neighbourhood, One Day in Govanhill.
Record Collections: Sound, soul and stories
We spoke to two Radio Buena Vida residents for Issue 17: Hidden Lives about their vinyl collections, uncovering stories of rare finds, well-loved grooves and the deeper connections that make records more than just music.
Bona Parle!
Discover how Polari became a vital tool for the LGBTQ+ community to communicate safely during times of severe repression. This fascinating language, with its blend of cultural and multilingual influences, remains a symbol of queer resilience and resistance.
Style Icon: Eva Harrold
Eva Harrold turns heads across the Southside in handmade outfits that challenge fast fashion. Through Slow Stitch Studio and her work with Rags to Riches, she’s stitching style, sustainability and community together — one thread at a time. Find out more in this edition of Style Icon from Issue 17: Hidden Lives.
My Life Before Govanhill: Tom van den Hurk
From a multicultural tenement in Germany’s Ruhr Valley to the vibrant streets of Govanhill, historian and filmmaker Tom van den Hurk reflects on a life shaped by migration, identity, and the power of storytelling in our regular feature, My Life Before Govanhill, from Issue 17: Hidden Lives.
Stories from Our Streets: Langside Road
In Stories from our Streets: Langside Road, local historian Bruce Downie traces the street’s fascinating history — from its origins and the impact of wartime bombings to its architectural landmarks and the architects that built them.
Isolophilia: Embracing the beauty of solitude
Govanhill based artist Gabriel Davidson (26) held his first show of paintings in Glasgow. The exhibition called ‘Isophilia’ explored the hidden joys of being alone. In this article Gabriel writes about the inspiration behind his first solo exhibition.
Unearthing History: Fossil found at The Hidden Gardens
When looking for hidden historical details in our built environment, we're often told to look up in Glasgow, but a new discovery at the Hidden Gardens suggests it might be worth looking down instead.
Think Before You Buy: Building an Apartheid Free Zone in Govanhill
In Govanhill, a grassroots campaign is taking bold steps to boycott brands complicit in Israel’s occupation of Palestine; starting with Coca-Cola. Born from local activism and backed by the global BDS movement, the Govanhill Apartheid Free Zone is rallying businesses and residents to turn everyday choices into acts of solidarity.
Behind closed doors: confronting coercion and control in multigenerational homes
Hundreds of Muslim and BME women in Scotland are reporting abuse not from partners, but from in-laws and extended family, yet the law doesn’t recognise it. Amina MWRC is fighting to change that, shedding light on a hidden form of coercive control and pushing for a more inclusive, intersectional approach to domestic abuse policy.
The Southside Central By-Election: 10 things I learned as a first-time candidate
Green Party candidate, Laura Vroomen, shares some insights from her campaign to be councillor in the Southside Central ward by-election in March. From knocking on strangers doors in February to canvasing outside the local high school, Laura sheds some light on her experiences and what it takes to build a strong campaign during a local election.
Queen’s Park Glasshouse Proposed Refurbishment
While the animals once housed in the iconic Queen’s Park Glasshouse won’t be returning—much to the disappointment of many local residents and visitors—the question remains: what changes do residents hope to see now that the Glasshouse is set to be refurbished due to concerns about its structural integrity?
'Govanhill: A Community Film Portrait' is now available on YouTube
Filmmaker Felipe Bustos Sierra premiered his short film 'Govanhill: A Community Film Portrait' at the GSFF last year. Now, a year later, the full film has been released on YouTube, allowing free, open access to his work.
Lascars – Forgotten Seafarers: brought to life
Unveiling the untold story of the lascar sailors, Glasgow Museums' latest exhibition immerses visitors in the seafaring legacy of South Asian men who shaped Britain's maritime past. Through a community-led research project, 3D-printed figurines, and a vivid film installation, this display offers a powerful tribute to these overlooked seafarers, inviting reflection on their enduring impact.
Dealing with the shame: Growing up in a South Asian household affected by gambling harms
“Within South Asian culture, gambling has always been a taboo subject. If you are from a Muslim family it's even more unheard of. Just as with alcohol and drugs, it is prohibited in the Qur’an…The taboo of gambling within South Asian culture has meant my family still can’t get the support they need.”