Southside Hustings

Last night we popped along to the Kinning Park Hustings to hear what the various candidates had to say at an interesting little event held in Kinning Park Parish Church. It wasn't quite Question Time with a far more relaxed style and the questioners getting almost as much time to speak as the panel. This resulted in only 8 questions being answered and the event running slightly over its allotted time, however it did allow the voters to have their opinions heard. Sunny Govan did a grand job pulling it together and the candidates did a professional job of answering the questions in a succinct manner. Despite the expected minor party point scoring attempts there wasn't quite as much of the negative, finger pointing politics that some of the flyers coming through our doors have promoted. Nothing puts me more off a candidate than them spending 90% of their time attacking everyone elses policies without stating what they would do differently themselves.

Hear more yourself when a recording is broadcast on Sunny Govan Radio or at some of the further hustings taking place before 5th May. (*more info at bottom of post)

We had a little added interest to our evening by attending the event with Gerry Hassan, local southsider and well known political commentator. His well read blog and twitter are great places to get an interesting analysis on the latest pollitical situations - http://www.gerryhassan.com/ . Gerry is also involved in the Scottish Wave of Change project looking at the future of Scotland. We thought it would be interesting to get Gerrys thoughts on last nights event, the election and the future of Scotland, so here they are.

"Glasgow Southside is one of the key marginal seats in the Scottish Parliament elections: the second most competitive seat with a ‘notional’ Labour majority of 27 votes after boundary changes.

The Sunny Govan hustings showed the strange state of local democracy, with a mass of questions on the most local, detailed, individual subjects you could imagine. This gave the evening the air of a gigantic Social Work case conference, while people talked about public spending, the evils of public spending cuts, and generally saw the extension of the entitlement culture as continuing unchecked.

The general thesis berating our politics is to often attack our political class, but at the Southside hustings all four candidates gamefully tried to deal maturely and sensitively with the most intricate, specialist questions.

The people have a role and responsibility, and are often, as this husting, showed part of the problem. How do we change the conversation, challenge people, sometimes tell them ‘No’ or they are wrong, while developing a different kind of democracy and discussion isn’t exactly easy? But we should start by acknowledging that the state of our democracy is down to all of us, and we cant any longer get away with just lampooning politicians."

*Further Hustings

Glasgow South

Ms Sturgeon and Mr Curran will battle it out again, with Conservative David Meikle and Liberal Democrat Carmichael Elder (brilliant name) during the hustings at Queens Park Baptist church at 8pm on Sunday 1st May 1.

Glasgow Cathcart
There will also be a hustings for the Glasgow Cathcart candidates at 7pm on Sunday 1st May This will take place in Langside Church (if the builders have completed work on the new building, or in the David Cargill Centre, 166 Ledard Road, Glasgow G42 9EU, if not.) Candidates for Glasgow Cathcart on a Question Time type of panel: Eileen Baxendale - Scottish Liberal Democrats, James Dornan - Scottish National Party, Charlie Gordon - Scottish Labour Party, John McKee - Independent, Richard Sullivan - Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

If anyone knows of any more hustings taking place in their local area then add them in the comments.

Burns Nicht Ceildh - 29 January 2011

(Available from Papa Stour) Image © Hole in my Pocket                              

The Govanhill Baths legendary Burns Nicht Ceildh is back and ticket go on sale tomorrow. The Ceildh is normally a sell out so if you want tickets you better be quick.

Tickets will be available from the GBCT office, 126 Calder Street, Govanhill, from the 5th January for the now legendary 'Burns Nicht Ceilidh', Saturday the 29th January 2011, 7.30pm- 11.30pm.

They've kept ticket prices at the same rate as last year, £10 and £8 conc (including a haggis dinner), and have booked the 'Cosmic Ceilidh Band' for the event! The 'Burns Nicht Ceilidh' is usually a sell out event so we would urge everyone to buy their tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Langside Halls

5 Langside Avenue Shawlands,

Glasgow, G41 2QR

Scotland

info@govanhillbaths.com

"Another exciting upcoming event in January 2011", is the opening of Govanhill Baths Community Trust new 'Emporium' at 465 Victoria Road. Following on from the success of the Charity Shop on Calder Street, the group have now been able to secure new, larger premises to raise funds and awareness. 

The official opening is next Saturday the 29th January 2011 at 12pm, grab a bargain and support the Baths and the Govanhill Community at the same time?"

http://www.govanhillbaths.com/home/

Food Fair @ Saturday Cafe - June 20th 2009

As part of Refugee Week the Saturday Cafe at Kennishead Community Centre will be hosting a food fair, where you can taste food from around the world, discuss dishes and watch cooking demonstrations. The event is being held from 10.30am until 12.30. For more information on the event e-mail info@gpintergrationnetwork.co.uk

Kennishead Community Centre, 10 Kennishead Avenue, Glasgow

Art Installations in Govanhill Baths

The Govanhill Baths will be opening its doors, for the second time since the Baths was closed in 2001, on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th of September. I ve never been inside Govanhill Baths and would be really interested in getting inside and finding out more about plans for its future redevelopment.

The Govanhill Baths Art and Regeneration Team are inviting people to propose ideas for artwork to be sited in the space for the weekend. The work should be relevant to the space, its architecture, social history or the campaign to save it. There are lots of different spaces in the building, including three pools, individual baths, the old steamie (laundry) area, changing areas, reception.

The building is in a poor state of repair (because it hasn’t been maintained since it closed) although structurally sound. Most of the contents of the building has been removed.

The artwork can be in any medium: a sculpture, painting, performance, photograph, text piece, intervention etc. It can be solo or collaborative.

for more information - closing date for proposals is 30th June 2009

Bungo in the Back Lanes - 2009

It's almost time for one of my favourite southside events of the year...Bungo in the Lanes. Bungo is the summer festival organised by the residents of Strathbungo. One Saturday every year they open up their gardens and clear out their garages. Stalls are set up in the back lanes, bouncy castles in the gardens, live music, wonderful food and most of all a great atmosphere.

It's a unique festival in a great area of the city, it's the community spirit and independent nature of the event that makes it stand out.

This years event will be held on Saturday the 20th June and starts at 1pm. The Strathbungo society are currently looking for volunteers to help set up, take down or man a stall.

Alternatively if you fancy running one of the following stalls then they would be happy to hear from you:Alternative therapies/massage Fair trade goods Crafts Bands/musicians.

They are also looking for donations for the tombola, bottle and lucky dip stalls. Anything will be accepted, including bottles of shampoo, tins of beans, unused fancy goods and so on. They're also looking for home-baking. Get in touch if you have anything.

Anyone can set up outside their own back gate and do not need to contact the Strathbungo Society. However for further info or if you are from outwith the three lanes you can contact Joanna on 423 7756.

Bungo Facebook

Corset Carnival - Grand Ole Opry - 7th June 2009

The Grand Ole Opry, in Kinning Park, are hosting a Corset Carnival, with all funds going to Enable Scotland. The carnival is taking place on Sunday 7th June and tickets are £8

Headlining is the magnificent Bellydance/Burlesque artist Leyla Rose fresh from a multitude of international performances.Glasgow Capoeira will be demonstrating their brand of martial arts, music and agility with a caberet twist. Look out for some corseted acrobatics and some dance-based, backflipping battles.
Also on the lineup are cabaret maestros Rufus T Fahrenheit & Lizzie Burn, burlesque stars Daiquiri Dusk (recently spotted on Britain's Got Talent as a Highland Dancing lassie) and Cat Aclysmic of Glasgow's Rockaburley.
Not to mention a samba/African influenced drumming set from Wooboodoo and DJ sets from Subcity gurus Does Not Affect Play and Felonious Munk (expect Latin, Samba and Funk).You can now get your ticket online at Corset Carnival

Castlemilk Family Day

With all this talk of the Southside Festival, we almost forgot to tell you about another important day in the Southside Calender. On Saturday [16th May] Castlemilk are holding their annual family day. There are event's all over Castlemilk on Saturday so if your in the area, stop by and see what's going on. I really like the fact that the Southside has so many community events happening through out the summer..like Bungo in the Lanes, Govanhill festival, and Govan Fair - to name just a few. We have put most of these events in our calender but if we've missed any let us know.

* As far as I know there will be no balloon performances like the one in the photo...sorry

Southside Festival

Short film we put together capturing a bit of the fun from last year's Festival. Looking forward to this years festival, should be a lot of fun.

Hope they get the duck herding guy this year - he was great when he took part in the Queens Park funday a couple of years ago. So too was the falcon guy though his turkey vulture did peck a woman on the head.

apples

Steffi from Carside.civiblog.org has sent us a wee email to tell us about the Queens Park Orchard Pampering event taking place on Sunday 1 March 2009 from 1-4pm.

Here's the blurb-

"Come straight to the flag pole at the top of Queen's Park's hill and you'll see us!
A spring celebration! Come along and bring your family - we'll do
- apple tree maintenance
- tree planting
- apple juice pressing (and drinking)
With John Hancox from the Commonwealth Orchard. Tools will be provided.
Afterwards there will be a film screening and chat over tea and curry:

""The Story of Stuff"
20 min animation about the impacts of a consumption-based economy which makes the connections between environmental and social issues, calls us to create a more sustainable and just world. for more info check out http://www.storyofstuff.com/

"Wake Up Freak Out"
11 min animated piece about the causes and mechanisms of climate change, and about what we can do about it. for more info check out http://wakeupfreakout.org/

4.30pm, Go Slow Café, 452 Victoria Rd
Special: Veggie Curry & pot of tea £5 (kids pay half)
organised by members of Towards Transition Glasgow & the Commonwealth Orchard; for further information please visit
http://ttglasgow.ning.com
http://www.commonwealthorchard.com "

Sounds pretty interesting and the vegie curry special sounds super tasty.

The Southside Festival Star

The Southside Festival, this week launched The Festival Star competition. This Southside version of X Factor is open to any person between the ages of 10 - 18, who attends a school within the Glasgow city boundary. There are several categories including singing, group, dance, solo. The prize is a slot on the main stage at the Southside Festival on the 23rd of May. Info and application forms are available on the Southside Festival website.

The Judges are will be announced soon...we'll keep you posted.

Bungo in the Lanes - Saturday 21st June

Just a reminder that Bungo in the lanes is on tomorrow [21st June] from 12pm till 4pm. We're all going along, it's a really interesting local event. Last year we took our friends Aitch and Nicole, and this year we have our friend Adam visiting from the states. If you would like to read about last years adventures click here **** Pictures of this years event

Southside Festival Starts

After years of waiting the Southside Festival has arrived. There are tonnes of events schedule to take place, throughout the Southside of the city, during the month of June. We'll be keeping you posted on what's going on. If you can get your hands on one of the diary of events, pick one up. You should be able to pick them up in pubs, cafes, museums, libraries through out the city. [or you could just download it from us] They highlight the events taking part in the festival.

This is the first ever Southside festival, and it plans to celebrate the cultural diversity and heritage of the Southside....but it's also about having a great time, so go along to as many events as you can.

Help wanted for Southside Festival

The Southside Festival are looking for Volunteers to help on the day of the festival - 28th of June. There are a huge variety of positions from taking tickets on the bouncy castle to supervising one of the many music tents. If your interested in helping out e-mail Isobel Barrett at Tramway direct manager@tramdirect.com

Parade participants wanted

We received an e-mail from Iain Urquart from Cosybikes:

On the 28th June The amazing 7 Seat Cosybike is in the South Side Festival Parade and requires 6 Riders to provide some pedal power. For details please send me an email with your name using the contact form here. www.cosybike.co.uk/form.html

I will select the riders or group at random

Don't worry if you miss out on the parade, you can still get a ride in the park afterwards. Its Free! Feel free to apply on behalf of a group or organisation as well.
Applications from people who have National Dress or silly costumes may find they get to the top of the pile!
Good Luck!

The Future of Shawlands

On Tuesday 29th of January a meeting will be held to discuss the future of Shawlands. The meeting, organised by Shawlands and Strathbungo Community Council and Southside Media, will be attended by local MSP Nicola Sturgeon, local councillors and Glasgow City council representatives.

This is a great oppurtunity to have your say in the way forward for Shawlands. Does the area need a Town centre action plan? Whats happening with the Shawlands Arcade? How can we improve the area.

If you've got time go along to the meeting and have your say about your area. The meetings at 7.30pm and is being held at Langside Halls.

Some idea's Alburt had [taken from use them or lose them post]

There needs to be a strategic rethink of the Southsides, mini shopping centres, some suggestions, please post your comments, alternatives:

here to add you name.

Shawlands Arcade needs to be completly redesigned to make it attractive to shoppers and to give a bit of life to that stretch of Kilmarnock Road. (We've conacted the centres owners to find out their plans, but have had no responce, anyone any ideas what the plans are?)

Need more specialist Shops to attract tourists, shoppers from elsewhere.

Shops need to change opening hours. Maybe opening at 10am until 7pm.

Shop Community meetings for the shop holders to meet, and plan how to work together to improve things.

Govanhill should be promoted as an area of ethnic shops - like the way Brick Lane is, in London.

Other areas should try to specialise or at least promote different specialities ie Shawlands could promote small individual fashion stores from new designers.

Better signage and maps connecting the Southside areas to the City Centre and Westend. (From speaking to a number of friends from these areas, they don't acutally know the southside exists or how to get there!!)

We've always had a great array of individual shops in the Southside but as more competition rises up around them, they are going to continue to struggle and decline if they don't get help.

G41 have set up a petition about the future of Shawlands click

If we don't use them we're going to lose them. We thought it would be interesting to generate a list of specialist shops within the Southside area so if you know of a great little shop in the Southside that saves you having to go into the City centre then let us know.

Fairfield Farmhouse - Govan

A couple of years ago LUV [Linthouse Urban Village] held an architecture competition for the regeneration of the Fairfield Farmhouse in Elderslie Park in Govan. Do Architecture won the competition with the proposal above.

The renovated farm and new buildings will provide among other things, a school for herbal medicine, creche facilities, a cafe and artists work spaces.

There is a regeneration consultation meeting at Elder Park Library on the 16th of January 2008 from 3.30pm till 4.15pm and then a second session from 6.30pm till 7.15pm. At the meeting you can find out more about the proposed plans for the currently derelict Farm House [which is possibly the oldest building in greater Govan].

LUV will be providing refreshments at the event. So if your interested in finding out more and voting on what you like ..go along.

There is more information the LUV website Click Here and also on the Do Architecture site