Behind the Scene: Uncovering The Southside's Clubs and Societies
Govanhill is full of clubs and social nights as diverse and vibrant as its residents. Many of these clubs, despite their tendency to fly under most people’s radar, run frequently and are quite popular among residents. We decided to head out and meet with some of these groups to find out more.
Courtesy of @alexander_hoyles
By Devon McCole | Photos by Alexander Hoyles & Ian McLellan
Southside Carrom League
Carrom is an oddly familiar looking South Asian board game: shaped like a square and played with black and white pieces, it resembles a giant draughts board. The gameplay, however, is more like snooker. Each player has to knock their opponent's pieces into pockets in the board’s corners using a decorative ‘striker’ piece.
In Linen 1906 bar on Pollokshaws Road, a group of Carrom enthusiasts known as the Southside Carrom League (SCL), get together every Thursday from 6pm-10pm to play, sometimes competing in mini tournaments.
Bruce Morton
Most members found the group organically, like local resident Bruce Morton: “It all started with a small group of friends. We played at each other's homes before the pandemic. It was like an obsession, I even started watching competitive games of Carrom during lockdown.”
After restrictions were lifted, Bruce and the others found a place to meet up and play: “We got in touch with staff at Linen, the owner has been letting us use the mezzanine there since January. That’s how the SCL was born. We all fell in love with the game, there’s a real spiritual quality to it. It’s an adhesive - it bonded us and attracted the curious.”
Namrata Ashok
Fraser Johnstone, who’s been playing since January, said: “ It’s unique. Carrom was completely new to me before a friend introduced me to it. I love the fact I’m improving but the main thing is the social side: seeing friends, a few pints and lots of laughter.”
Namrata Ashok first played with her grandparents in India. She joined the SCL after Fraser invited her along: “My grandparents and I had a bit of a language barrier but through Carrom we were able to overcome that. It was exciting, getting the chance to play my childhood game after so long.
“I was honestly shocked when I heard about the SCL but playing with them brought back so many wonderful memories. It was such a lively and inviting atmosphere. Everyone was just so friendly and welcoming. I hope the league continues beyond time, it was truly special to be a part of!”
Members including Bruce contribute to the CarromGlasgow.blog.scot, writing about all things Carrom. To find the group on Facebook search for ‘Southside Carrom League’.
Queens Park Chess Club
(Note: Bob McCalden of the Apostrophe Protection Society contacted the club about the missing apostrophe - a deliberate choice made after some deliberation, which they addressed in a blog post online at queensparkchessclub.com/about-the-apostrophe/)
Chess has always been popular, dipping in and out of the mainstream depending on media depictions (Queen’s Gambit anyone?). But residents may be surprised to know just how popular the local Queens Park Chess Club (QPCC) is, with anywhere from 15 to 50 players each week.
Inspired by the old Queens Park Chess Club (est. 1873-1936) enthusiastic residents restarted the group in 2019. Membership fees pay for boards, tournaments and venue hire at The Bungo each Thursday from 6:30pm-9:30pm.
Caitlin McCulloch
President Caitlin McCulloch remembers one tournament where 22 QPCC members were beaten by International Master, Andrew Greet: “We have members at varying levels of skill and this guy beat every one of us! It was quite impressive… Our regular nights are a lot less competitive than that.
“I like seeing new people find a love for chess. There’s lots of people who haven't played it in a while and they come and then they kind of get back into it. They rediscover why they liked it in the first place and I love seeing that – that’s what we’re all about.”
Ronnie Martin
QPCC regular for 2 years, Ronnie Martin, had an interest in chess but hadn’t played since childhood: “As kids we were really just moving pieces about a board. Then, a guy that I worked with, all he spoke about was chess. I thought, ‘if I don't start playing, I've got nothing to talk to this guy about.’ Now, when I go home from a night of playing chess, I just go up the road and play more chess. It ends up being dead obsessive.”
Beginner Camilla Fanizza joined only weeks before meeting Greater Govanhill: “The guy I was playing with, I didn't know him before and he was way more advanced than me, but he was really kind. We played two games and I lost them both, like really fast. He asked if it would be okay to tell me when I was going to make a bad move and explain why. That made it a lot more fun for me. He was really explaining it and helping me play better.”
Find out more about the QPCC via their website at queensparkchessclub.com. Find their Facebook group by searching ‘Queens Park Chess Club’.
Queen's Park Camera Club
The Queen’s Park Camera Club (QPCC) is Glasgow’s oldest camera club, holding presentations and workshops since 1945. These activities continue to this day, with meetings every Thursday and monthly workshops and talks on all types of photography.
Tom Doherty
The QPCC takes tuition fees from its members to pay for the opportunities and support they offer. This has allowed the club to remain on the same premises. Once an old grocers, the building doesn’t look up to much now, but there are decades of history behind its doors.
Tom Doherty, former QPCC president, told Greater Govanhill about the longevity of the historic club, formed at the end of WW2: “There’s a big shield in the premises that relates to a Queen's Park Photographic Association, which existed far earlier. We also discovered old minutes dating back to the early part of the 20th century.”
Yvonne Livingstone
Yvonne Livingstone, a longstanding member, said the most important part of being involved in the group was the chance to share images and ideas: “When I came into the building, there seemed to be a sea of people. The quality of the images on the wall were all first class, which made my knees knock a bit because I thought, ‘these people in here, they are really, really good.’
“Soon I started to learn things from other people's work, and started to develop a critical eye after spending so much time with other like minded people who would share editing programs that they've used, or books that they've used, or just general advice as to how you can improve your images. It's a real sharing experience.”
Willie Bell, who joined the QPCC during the pandemic, told us he’d passed the club daily before finally giving it a go: “There's so much experience, it can be intimidating but also helpful. You've got all levels of people and all types of photography, there's something for everybody. Everyone encourages you to take your photography a wee bit further, it’s a welcoming environment.”
The QPCCs 2023/24 season has already begun but you can find out more via their website ahead of next season. Visit them at qpcc.com for more information.
