My Life Before Govanhill: Jurek Gruszka
In our regular feature ‘My Life Before Govanhill’ we find out from the diverse community of Govanhill what they got up to before settling around Victoria Road. In this edition, we meet Jurek Gruszka
Interview by Marzanna Antoniak
Where did you grow up?
I’m from a village called Lysa Gora (Bald Mountain) in south-east Poland near the Slovakian border. People there kept pigs, cows, geese, hens and horses on their farms, and commuted to nearby cities for work. Living surrounded by mountains and forests, I would go skiing and on regular trips with friends.
What was your family like?
I was the oldest of seven siblings. We lived with my grandfather until I was six, and then we moved to live by school as both of my parents worked there. My mum was a cleaner and my dad was a teacher of art and home economics. He also painted pictures and religious souvenirs for a local church.
What did you study?
I went to vocational school where I qualified as tiler and floor-layer. After school, I got a job at a large construction company where I worked until I was conscripted into the army. In 1989, the president of Poland, Lech Walesa, opened the borders, and I travelled to France. Later I went to work there harvesting grapes. A year later, I got married and moved to the Polish-German border where I worked in construction. I had some spells working in Austria and in Germany too.
What made you come to Scotland?
I came to Scotland in April 2006 persuaded by my brother-in-law and found myself in Ayr. My English vocabulary at that point amounted to ‘Let’s go!’ and ‘OK’. I used to take three dictionaries to the job agency. The woman there was very kind and we did our best to communicate. I drew a bathroom to explain I could do bathrooms and she thought I could clean them, so I spent three weeks cleaning caravans. Later, I was sent to work in a carpentry shop and worked on roofs. A local man was looking for people to work on his house and I would finish the roofs at 4pm and go there to work afterwards, seven days a week. For two years, I worked non-stop without taking breaks. I was 36 and didn’t get tired at all. Over the years, I lived in many places around central Scotland, working as a cleaner in Tesco, in a biscuit factory, and as a logistics manager. In 2017, I began working for myself and two years later I found a flat in Govanhill where I’ve been living ever since.
How do you feel in Govanhill?
I’m happy here. Everything is close by, including the large park. I’ve got very nice neighbours, even if they do change a lot. I like being part of the many cultures in Govanhill and being a familiar face in every local shop. It's been almost four years of a contented and peaceful life here for me.
What are your plans for the future?
I want to keep being proud of my twin sons and my two granddaughters. I’m going to live a long life and I picture myself living in a cottage house by a loch in the countryside and growing my own vegetables.