Archives exist as a means to connect us to our past, whether personal, social or connected to a particular place or movement. Preserving these stories provides a chance to learn from what’s gone before. In this article we explore the personal archive of a former Queen’s Park Camera member and share some of the local archives in the Southside.

Govanhill has a fascinating history. Stories upon stories are written in its many tenement homes. Fragments of its rich heritage are also revealed by a tour around some of its better known buildings. This map follows the route of a walking tour around the neighbourhood led by local historian Bruce Downie.

It’s not as well known but before the UK had a national health service, it had a national restaurant service. British Restaurants were state-supported restaurants serving affordable meals to the general public.Glasgow used to have at least 10 of these restaurants... Now there is a call to bring them back.

The Hidden Gardens and GALLANT’s Compost Co-Lab is engaging with communities and helping Glasgow residents adopt sustainable practices through hands on composting experience helping to manage food waste and contribute to reducing the city’s carbon footprint.

Shawlands Bike Bus, GoBike, and local parents and their children, came together to show their appreciation for the city’s 270km cycle network plans. With a “jumbo Thank You card” in hand, they shared gratitude, feedback, and hopes for a more bike-friendly future.

Residents of Kingarth Lane and Kin Kitchen came together on 15 September to transform the often-neglected lane into a vibrant community hub. The event featured activities for children, a shared meal, and discussions on future improvements, including food planters and outdoor seating.

The Glasgow Door Open Day is back, taking place from the 16th-22nd of Septemeber. The event aims to celebrate Glasgow’s cultural heritage by opening the doors of over 100 historical buildings to the public across the city. We put together a list of the top five places to visit in the Southside.

Children from a Bethlehem refugee camp depict life under occupation and dreams of a free Palestine in a powerful exhibition, the final project of the late Jeremy Lester. Their raw and hopeful artwork, alongside symbols of Palestinian identity, offers a moving glimpse into a deeply personal struggle.

The Tape Letters project shines a light on the use of audio cassette as a mode of long-distance communication by the Pakistani diaspora in Scotland between 1960–1980. Greater Govanhill is delighted to be showcasing stories from the Glasgow community in our Community Canvas space in Tramway opening this October.

How a bunch of old cassettes are a passage into the languages and histories of Pakistani migration. The Tape Letters project will soon be showcased in an exhibition in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee featuring stories of local residents.

A community consultation took place earlier this month to keep local people informed on the Local Place Plan for Govanhill. The group behind the consultation have now moved the project into it’s second stage and are asking local people to take part in a short online survey. Find out how you can get involved.

Big Noise Govanhill’s free summer holiday club provided nearly 1,000 meals and fun, educational activities for local children, supporting families through music education, social projects, and essential care during the longest school break.

Local band CLR Theory captivated the listening crowd during intimate performances at the Deep End over the weekend, with two consecutive shows on the Saturday and Sunday evening.

Govanhill artists joined the unions in their continued fight for arts funding despite a recent government u-turn on cuts announced last month. Though funding has been reinstated, the arts community remains concerned about future uncertainties, especially on the impact cuts would have on working-class communities. Protesters called for a progressive tax system in the broader fight to preserve public funding, not just for the arts and culture sector.

The Victoria Bar, one of 21 sites part of the Football Square Mile (FSM), has recently become home to a painting by Ashley Rawson, depicting two Tartan Army fans, clad in Scotland’s signature colours. The work entitled, ‘The Best Fans in the World’,  is a homage to the Tartan Armies' celebration of the Euros. 

As hubs of social life, pubs have been woven into the fabric of British culture, serving as gathering spots for generations. Through James Bowden’s photographs, taken in the late 80s, we delve into the history and community spirit of the Southside’s drinking establishments. What we found were stories of protest, preservation of Scotland’s footballing legacy, the centre of a manhunt and more.

Arkbound’s innovative workshop series, 'Our Economy', is opening doors for typically marginalised communities to engage in economic discussions through creative writing. This unique approach is not just about learning but about fostering change and amplifying voices that are often unheard.

Last week, CineRoma 2.0 brought powerful narratives to the forefront as the UK’s only Roma Film Festival returned for its second year. Curated by young Roma from Govanhill, this year’s selection delved into themes of self-perception, identity, and resistance.

As a resident of one of Robert Duncan's beautifully designed homes on Dixon Avenue, I’ve come to appreciate the lasting impact of this overlooked architect. His 21 distinctive houses, with their unique bay windows and ornate details, have given Crosshill its special character and earned it conservation status. Duncan's work is a hidden gem in Glasgow’s architectural heritage.

This article is a semi-fictionalized attempt to track one Govanhill building over time. None of the people in this story are the real inhabitants of 80 Bankhall street; characters have been created around what would have been ‘typical’ in Govanhill at the time.