Growing up in Govanhill
In Issue One of Greater Govanhill, David Mcguire (57) and Saoirse King (12) interviewed each other about their experiences of the neighbourhood | Portraits by Niall Miller
Saoirse King is 12 years old. Saoirse loves animals, and learning about the sea creatures. She likes to play sports and double bass. She’s lived in Govanhill all her life.
David McGuire is 57 years old. He enjoys catching up with his sons, walking the dogs and spending time with friends. In normal times he also likes cinema, playing football and eating out. For the last 12 years, he’s been a fire officer serving Govanhill at Polmadie Fire Station.
Saoirse asks David...
What changes do you see between Govanhill then and now?
The biggest change from then to now is the variety of nationalities. When I was young, there were pretty much just three; Scottish, Irish and Pakistani. Another change I see relating to the nationalities is that the newest arrivals to Govanhill live more like we did back then. We didn’t have a lot of money, but we had lots of love and friends. Families all knew each other, and we made our own fun. We spent a lot of time hanging out on street corners, as some of the Roma kids do now, and a lot of time in the park. We may have looked like a gang if someone drove past us, but we were just a big group of pals. It’s just history repeating itself with a new population.
What did teenagers used to do for fun in Govanhill?
We had an absolute ball back then. Most of which could possibly be illegal now, but it was all very innocent. We used to build gang huts from old doors in empty back courts. We skipped into the cinema at the end of my street. One person would pay in and open the fire exit door to let about ten of us in. The manager would see the light coming in and spend half the film trying to find us and throw us out. It was great fun.
We actually played hide and seek in Larkfield bus Garage in Butterbiggins Road, the street I was born in. The gates were wide open and no one ever seemed to tell us to get out. We played at jumping from wall to wall on stone dykes over the bin stores as we walked through the back lanes. Once a week, we went for a bath at Calder Street, as most of us didn’t have baths at home. We had a roll ‘n’ chips from the chippy afterwards. In the winter we would wrap up well and build bonfires. We rarely stayed in.
What was your style growing up?
I grew up in the 1970s, so my style was flared jeans – usually Levi’s or Wrangler. Diamond jumpers were in style, so I had some of them and Adidas t-shirts with three stripes on the shoulders. I liked Adidas trainers but I wore brogues or weejuns to school. In my later teens, I quite liked to wear smart clothes when I was going out
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I didn’t know. When I was 15, I wanted to leave school so I wouldn’t have to leg it for my paper round every day. I had to run from my school in the Gorbals through Dixon Blazes estate at full speed to pick up my papers and run up to Larkfield bus garage to sell to the workers who finished at 4.15. I used to see people sitting on buses on Cathcart road as I ran and think: ‘I really want to leave school so I can sit on a bus and not be running’.
My oldest brother was working in a bar in Spain when I was a teenager, and this made a big impression on me. So, when I was 21, after I had finished my apprenticeship as a painter and decorator I went to work in Spain. It was a great experience and it opened my eyes to different cultures, nationalities and ways of living. Painting and decorating was not my first choice of work, but I was offered an apprenticeship and took it. It was a good job, but I much prefer being in the Fire Service.
Did you get pocket money ? If so, how much?
I remember, when I was about 10 years old, getting 50p pocket money. I got this on a Saturday morning. This was a good amount of money and it lasted a few days. As I got older, my pocket money increased. By the time I was 15, I had my paper round and had my own money. I made about £7.50 a week from that, which was fantastic.
What did your parents do for work? Did this influence your job choice?
My dad was a merchant seaman and was away for months at a time. My mum was a home help. I had a lot of input from my aunts at the time. My dad died when I was 10 and my mum brought us all up on her own. I think subconsciously I probably have a mix of my parents’ influences. From my Dad, I like to travel and have been to some far-flung places. From my mum, I have hopefully taken the social justice helping side of her nature, hence joining the Fire Service and trying to do good work in the community.
Are you happy?
I am happy. I appreciate everything in my life. I know what is valuable; family, friends, relationships, walking in the park. I spend a lot of time in Govanhill, both at work and on my days off, and I still love wandering around it. I have a deep connection with it due to being born and growing up there. Each street holds a memory for me. When you have lived a varied life and gone through different stuff, you realise what is important in life; it’s the people in it.
David asks Saorise…
Do you enjoy living in Govanhill?
Yeah, but I don’t know anywhere else. Growing up here has taught me to respect different cultures. I think knowing about other cultures helps us grow as people, especially as I am young. I want everyone to be treated the same, as diversity makes the world go around. I think being open minded will help me when I am bigger and want to travel the world, I’ll have the respect for the countries I visit.
What is the best thing about living in Govanhill?
The diversity and the choice of food. Wokstar Chinese takeaway is my favourite. I go there some Fridays for lunch, with my pals from school. The guy Andy that owns it is so funny. Nanika is another favourite, where I get to eat Japanese food, which is tasty. Patricia’s Cafe, is so good. I went for breakfast with my mum and it was delicious. The staff are lovely. It’s a wee family-run business, so that makes it cool.
What would you change about where you live ?
Probably the litter, there’s too much furniture outside. Could people not donate to charity or give it away on Gumtree? They should hire more binmen to deal with the amount of rubbish. Me and my friends use the bins, and recycle when we can, so I’d say we have a good awareness of this issue.
Which school do you attend and do you like it?
Holyrood Secondary, I enjoy school. I have met lots of new friends and I am enjoying all my subjects, learning new skills.
Do you think there is a lot for young people to do in Govanhill?
Not really. I do go to a Govanhill Youth Club. They got a new place and I am excited to get back to the groups. But we can’t be inside the base, due to COVID. I go to the park sometimes, but it isn’t great.
What would you like to work at when you grow up?
When I wee, I wanted to be a vet, but as I grew up the reality of that job was scary, I’d probably cry all the time. I’m 12 years old. I don’t actually know what I want to do. I’m happy living in the moment.
Do you call Govanhill home ?
Yes, as I said it’s the only place I know. If I had the choice I would live near a loch. I love freshwater swimming. I have been all over Scotland, but my first experience was at Loch Lubnaig. I went camping with my family and it was a chilly day. That didn’t stop me though, but I only had my costume. I learned from this and got a wetsuit for the next time. I like how fresh the water is; there’s no yucky salt water. One time, the youth club took us to Pinkston Watersports Centre up Maryhill. We got to try paddle boarding and canoeing, I would love to do more of that after COVID.
Do you feel you can achieve your dreams in life ?
Yeah, if you work hard to achieve something, anything’s possible.
Did you know that there are lots of women in the Fire Service?
No I didn’t, that’s fantastic. It would be cool if I could visit the fire station, maybe I could be a firefighter! There are still very sexist views against women. People still think women should only do jobs that are seen as motherly, like being a teacher or nanny. That’s not fair. Women can do ‘manly jobs’ and they probably do them better. Women are rocking at taking up roles as firefighters and doctors, just like men are equally amazing who are teachers and nurses. Society just needs to get better at not labelling everything, if you're good at a job then amazing, why do we need to be certain genders to be in the role.
Do you feel young people have a voice in what goes on in Govanhill?
At the Govanhill Youth Club, the staff value our opinions and we get to decide on what we want to do. Anything outside of there, pretty much no, we should be included in all the consultations and decisions as we are the future.