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Edition 1 | Autumn 2015 | FREE

Sir Alex Ferguson: Back in Govan

Interview with May Nicholson

What is ‘Tea in the Pot’?

Gaels of Govan

Plus fun puzzles, games and recipes!

A M A G A Z I N E F O R T H E P E O P L E O F G O V A N B Y T H E P E O P L E O F G O V A N • s u b m i s s i o n s w e l c o m e

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This print is a publication by the people of Govan for the people of Govan.

It is a grassroots way for people who care about Govan and the arts to get their voices heard. We aim to promote free and open

communication which connects with others through creative writing, journalism, visual art and other means of expression.

We hope in some small way that this magazine will help to create friendships, build networks and further strengthen the community of Govan.

Interested?If you would like to know more about Govan Voice, whether

to submit an article, poem, artwork, photography or to join the team, then please contact us at [email protected]

AUTUMN 2015 | GOVAN VOICE ISSUE 1

ABOUT

3AUTUMN 2015 | GOVAN VOICE ISSUE 1

CONTENTS

SIR ALEX FERGUSON 4PHOTOGRAPHY CORNER 5GAELS OF GOVAN 6-7MEET THE EDITORS 8TEA IN THE POT 9COMING HOME 10-11THE Q&A: MAY NICHOLSON 12-13HUMANS OF GOVAN / BOOK REVIEW 14CREATIVE WRITING: ALISON THE GHOST 15GOVAN MEMORIES 16-17RECIPE / PUZZLES 18ARTISTS CORNER 19

Welcome to Govan Voice issue number 1!

We have worked hard over the past number of months to produce the magazine that you now have in your hands. Within every community there are things to be celebrated, enjoyed and shared. We hope that as this magazine grows, it will reflect the needs and wants of the community here in Govan. To find out more about how Govan Voice came about, see page 8.

Each of us has something to share with one another, a voice if you will, and perhaps that can be made known in this simple publication. If you have stories, recipes, poetry, art, jokes, wisdom, wit, memories, then please share. Each time we communicate, we have the potential to connect with one another, human to human, neighbour to neighbour.

In this first edition, we hear from May Nicholson about her life and work with the Preshal Trust here in Govan. We have some beautiful photos, including the front cover, taken by the folks down at the Preshal Trust, as well as a short story by Ann Marie Birrell. We hear how Rena has benefitted from Tea in the Pot and we hear from the men and women of the Coming Home group. We also sample fabulous artwork by Ruby Costley, a regular down at the Tea in the Pot Drop In.

So grab a coffee, pull up a chair and enjoy this collection of creative talent that Govan has to offer!

WELCOME!

Happy reading!

The Editorial team x

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I have to admit I don’t know a lot about football but ask anyone on the street if they have heard of Sir Alex Ferguson and they will no doubt say yes!

Sir Alex Ferguson is a Scottish player and manager, who retired in May 2013. A quick google search tells me that he has played for 6 Scottish clubs before becoming a manager of East Stirling, St Mirren and Aberdeen. During this time he won 3 league titles and the European Cup Winners cup.

After a short stint as Scotland boss he took over at Old Trafford in 1986, where he was in charge of Manchester United for 26 years. There he took home 13 English titles, 2 Champion Leagues and many other cups. You don’t have to be a football fan to appreciate what a talent this man is!

In June, Sir Alex Ferguson took time out of his retirement to come

up to Govan and officially open the Macmillian Café in the Pearce

Institute. As he was getting a wee tour of the building we managed to corner him for a

couple of questions for this magazine. Although he only had a couple of minutes before he was being whisked away to other appointments, he kindly agreed to meet with us and this is what he said...

ZM – “Sir Alex, thank you for chatting with us here. A quick question: when you think about Govan and football, do you see a positive role that football has in this community?

AF – “Well football is really the common denominator in terms of anyone who lived in Govan. We only had one sport - that was football. Everyone played football even the girls. So it was either climbing dykes, fighting or going to Boys Brigade and playing football. I mean in Govan community, every Boys Brigade had a football team. There was a Boys Brigade Week and there were about 16 teams on the Govan league so it was quite a competitive thing, the Boys Brigade - I was brought up with that Christian belief.”

ZM – “Very quickly, what’s your favourite thing to do when you are in Govan?”

AF – “Get my tattie scones.”

ZM – “Thank you, Sir Alex Ferguson.”

SIR ALEX FERGUSON: the wee boy from Govan who has accomplished great things

BY ZARA McCLINTOCK


Sir Alex Ferguson (centre) pictured with Norman Mackay and Zara McClintock (both on Govan Voice editorial team)

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PHOTOGRAPHY CORNERfeaturing scenes from around Govan, taken by the folks at Preshal Trust!


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As the popularity of the Gaelic language has been steadily rising in modern Scotland it is good to remind ourselves that within Govan there was for many years a flourishing Gaelic speaking community whose contribution to Govan was known and felt in all walks of life.

The Arrival of the Gaels in GovanLike Glasgow, Govan received most of its foundational Gaelic community in the nineteenth century, when, as a result of the opportunities provided by heavy industry, the south side of the River Clyde underwent immense population growth. Between 1836 and 1876, the population on the south side of the river increased five times, to 220,000. In 1863, there were over 700 Gaelic-speaking parishioners in Govan. Govan then, like the greater city of Glasgow, provided a fresh base for Gaelic speakers who had to leave their homelands for employment.

The Community of the GaelsAlthough resident and/or employed in Govan, the Gaels remained part of what we might call the ‘greater Gaidhealtachd’ – the comprehensive large community of Gaelic speakers, which embraced the Highlands and Islands, as well as the cities of Lowland Scotland. Churches were very much aware of the Gaelic-speaking people of Govan, and began to make provision for them. The Free Church of Scotland appears to have been the first to do so, when, in 1863, 406 Highlanders of Govan petitioned to have the Rev. A. C. Fullarton as their Gaelic minister. In 1876, it was said that there were over 3,000 Highlanders in Plantation and Kinning Park.

The Gaels and PrejudiceLife was not easy for many Gaels. Speaking a different language and being unfamiliar with urban ways the Gaelic Highlanders were often ridiculed in the lowland cities and caricatured as an inferior race of people.

A Century of Gaelic Speakers in GovanFor well over a century, Gaelic speakers were a significant part of the population of Govan, but major changes in the configuration of Glasgow led to a sharp decline in numbers in the 1960s and 1970s. During the hey-day of Govan Gaels, they were well integrated into the life of the burgh and parish, and contributed much to it, as well as deriving much from it. Their ranks included ship-owners, shopkeepers, shipbuilders, sailors, firemen, joiners and doubtless many other professions, trades and occupations. Govan-based Gaels such as the Very Rev. Dr T. M. Murchison, Neil MacLean, Hector MacDougall and Calum MacLeod, also contributed to the development of Gaelic Scotland as a whole in the fields of Gaelic literature and education.

Little trace of Govan’s former Gaelic population remains in the twenty-first century, but we are often reminded of it, not least in the name and fine performance of Govan Gaelic Choir.

• “Tha mi airson Gàidhlig ionnsa-chadh.” (hah mee EHR-sawn GAH-lik YOON-sa-hugkh) “I want to learn Gaelic.”

• "Slàinte mhòr agad!" (SLAHN-tchuh VORR AH-kut!) "Great health to you!"

• "Tha gaol agam ort." (Hah GEUL AH-kum orsht) "I love you."

• "Ma 'se ur toil e." (mah sheh oor TUL-leh) "Please."

• "Tapadh leat." (TAH-puh LAHT or TAHplett) "Thank you."

AN EX TR AC T FROM A RECENT LEC TURE GIVEN BY PROF. DONALD E. MEEK IN GOVAN


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by Donald E. Meek

I squint across the grey-black Clyde; I set my eyes to close the sight

Of a towering giant in the clouds And an armadillo keen to fight,

As he tries to knock that brute Right off its perch and claim the brand;

Frankenstein has come to town, And metal monsters stalk the land.

Gaelic voices reach my mind, Steam whistles sound their piercing shocks:

The Clansman throws her ropes ashore, And rubs her belting on the docks.

They come, they go, as sirens sound, The traffic of a thousand feet;

Where Highland hearts once throbbed with song, There’s nothing now but empty street

Of ghosts that ply their ancient trade, Reminding flesh it cannot stay;

The Clansman’s sailed for Tail o’ Bank; Over Govan dawns a deadly day,

Of memories and searching minds, Seeking life beneath these stones;

‘The church was here, where flats now reign, And tarmac covers Highland bones.’

No ceilidh now in that Town Hall Where pipes once blasted through the walls;

Where spirits danced and sang and laughed – A day of deepest silence falls.

The armadillo looks around, Stalking out his newest prey;

That mighty tower comes hurtling down, While I turn my back and walk away.

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8AUTUMN 2015 | GOVAN VOICE ISSUE 18

The Pearce Institute by Norman Mackay

My earliest memories of the Pearce Institute were as a toddler when my mother pushed me along the Govan road in the buggy when going shopping. The building seemed huge and imposing and as a child I imagined that it was a place full of secrets and mysteries.

Later on as a teenager I played football for the Pearce Institute the strip being the same as that of Arsenal, and the majority of the boys coming from the old Winealley area.

Now back again as a Tenant and Member of The Board it has been super to renew my acquaintance with the P.I. and it has been really great to see just how vibrant the Institute has become. Several years ago I had heard that the old building had fallen into disrepair and was not being widely used within

the Govan community. However having been here now for around 18 months it is wonderful witness first-hand the renaissance that is taking place and the positivity that those who come into the premises experience.

I function as the voluntary Tenants’ Representative to the Pearce Institute Board of Directors. So if issues arise that any of the agencies might have they can come to me and I try to get it fixed.

For the most part it all runs quite smoothly and what is perhaps most exciting is that wide variety of groups housed within the Institute.

For a full list of Pearce Institute organisations and phone numbers, please see the back page of this magazine.

MEET THE EDITORSHear more from two of the team members behind Govan Voice!

The Beginning of Govan Voice by Zara McClintock

My name is Zara. I work for Bethany Christian trust and I am incredibly excited to be a part of Govan Voice. Let me tell you a little about my role in Govan Voice editorial team and how it all came about. Bethany Christian Trust is a charitable organisation which operates from hubs across Scotland; supporting around 6,000 homeless and vulnerable people every year to find, equip and maintain a home within their local community. As well as meeting housing needs, we provide support to individuals and families to help them tackle long-term homelessness problems including family breakdown, addictions, debt, lack of furniture, unemployment and social isolation.

The space and opportunity to work on a free, community magazine is one of the many services we provide. The ‘Bugle’ magazine which launched in Edinburgh in November 2005 was, and is, written by folks who had experienced homelessness and issues associated with homelessness. It began by offering people

who were improving their reading and writing a motivation to write knowing that their work would be published. Since then the group has evolved into a creative, dynamic team of socially minded writers and artists from all walks of life.

It was Bethany Christian Trusts’ experience with the Bugle Magazine that lead to us partnering with Norman Mackay and the Pearce Institute to produce Govan Voice.

We hope Govan Voice will have something for everyone. We want to give everyone in this community the chance to be involved in some way or another. In future editions we hope to hear from the young folks of Govan with help from Govan High School as well as from other schools and youth projects situated in Govan.

Our hope is that this magazine will help increase the potential of partnership work amongst organisations and projects in Govan. There are so many projects doing wonderful work and we want the people of Govan to know about it. We also hope that as more and more of us get involved in writing, editing and contributing to the content of this publication then we will all increase our skills. It doesn’t matter what your ability is or what your experience of writing is presently, if you want to learn then we want to hear from you.

So here we go! I hope that you can join me in celebrating this publication and the potential of what it can become for us all.

Zara

Contact Zara by emailing her on [email protected]

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I was born in the east end of Glasgow but now live on the south side.

I started coming to Tea in the Pot six years ago. I was off work due to bullying in my workplace, and I was suffering from severe stress, anxiety and depression as a result of this. I had no confidence and low self esteem.

I was first brought in by a Support Worker from Carr Gomm. I just used to sit and listen to the other women, as I didn’t have enough confidence to have a conversation with them. However, through regular attendance I began to open up and my confidence began to grow. I took part in discussions, activities and I was able to stand up at

an Oxfam event and tell everyone my name. Never in a million years would I have been able to do this, had it not been for the support I get from coming here.

Sometimes me and a few other women get up and start doing line dancing in the middle of the drop-in – the women love this, and we have such fun and the laughter in the room is infectious.

My life was getting better, and my husband and I were looking forward to our first grandchild being born. My grandson was only months old when my husband was diagnosed with a rare disease, which was life threatening. At that time Tea in the Pot again was a great support to me. I became my husband’s carer for the next two years. During this time, a care package was put in place, which allowed me to continue to attend Tea in the Pot for much-needed respite. Sadly my husband passed away, leaving me devastated.

I still regularly attend Tea in the Pot for support, friendship and warmth, as I feel there is no other support quite like it anywhere in Glasgow.

Rena

Tea in the Pot

Rena’s story...


A typical Tea in the Pot drop-in

Tea in the Pot (TITP) is a women’s Drop-In & Support service based within the Pearce Institute. TITP runs twice-weekly drop-ins (Mondays and Fridays) for any women, anywhere. No referrals are necessary and there is no charge or time limit. Women can come along on their own, with their Support Worker if they have one, or with a friend. Recently TITP has started two new drop-ins on a Wednesday 10-1pm supporting women affected by domestic violence and 7-9pm a drop-in supporting women affected by someone else’s addiction. TITP is run by volunteers, semi-skilled, and skilled professional women, who all have walked through the door for their own particular reasons, and stayed to help others. TITP enables women to give confidence to women, and share their skills with others.

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C MING H METhe Coming Home Centre first opened its doors to Veterans in 2013, in three Glasgow Churches on different days of the week. The initial concept was to provide a drop in centre, where those leaving the Armed Forces could meet up with others to access help and support, centred around settling back into civvy street, and civvy communities. However, the first veterans that came through the doors were men who had left the service ten, twenty and even thirty years previously, many suffering the effects of PTSD, Anxiety and Depression. Some had issues with alcohol dependency and most were long term sick or long term unemployed.

The first thing that was immediately noticeable was how the Veterans quickly relaxed in each other’s company, irrespective of cap badge, length or area of service and rank, and enjoyed the banter and laughter associated with their times in the Forces. For some this was the first time in years .

The numbers started to grow quickly, especially at Cathcart on a Friday, where we were always treated to a fantastic lunch, and given that so many of those who suffer from mental health

injuries exclude themselves socially, the Coming Home Centre provided an outlet to re-engage: a first step.

It quickly became apparent that many of the guys were looking for something to do, to occupy minds, and through a series of fortunate events we acquired 220 bikes from Police Scotland. We set up a workshop where they could be refurbished and repaired. Once the members each had their own bikes, we provided them to other charities, frequently children’s charities, and some were sold which provided much needed funds for spare parts and tools. We followed this up by opening up a woodworking shop and a gardening service, but what we didn’t have was a permanent home that was easily accessible - a place to call home.

Towards the end of 2014, we launched a joint funding bid with the Pearce Institute in Govan, where our bike shop was located. The bid was successful and enough funds were awarded to refurbish a rather dilapidated hall. The work was carried out by our own guys and we added a secure office and a fully working kitchen.


One of the many outings for Coming Home

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Our new Drop In Centre was opened by Keith Brown MSP, himself a veteran and minister for veterans in Scotland.

We are now open Monday to Friday 0900 and 1700, but usually earlier in and later out. We are two minutes from the underground and bus terminus. We provide tea and coffee all day, and a hot lunch at 1230hrs, all of which are free of charge to veterans. Many of our regulars pop in for lunch, read the papers and catch up with each other.

We are also fully engaged with all the other agencies that look after veterans in Glasgow and help support members with housing, benefits, medical issues, pensions, job searches and applications, work placements, training, further and higher education as well as sport and recreation. Guitar lessons are run on a Friday morning, which has proved very popular and we are looking to add to this.

We have also relocated our workshop, and with the help of the Scottish Veterans Fund we are equipping it to provide training courses on Woodwork, DIY, furniture making and refurbishment. With more stock arriving, the bike shop is extremely busy: in addition to refurbishing bikes, we also provide a servicing facility to the local community.

The Coming Home Centre has also engaged with other local charities and organisations which helps our members get used to working with others outside the Veterans community. For example on a Monday evening, six local youths aged between 11 and 14 have been attending bike maintenance classes. These young men, as well as learning about bikes, have also gained a sense of discipline, tolerance and patience. The classes are planned and delivered by our own members.

We are now seeing an influx of early service leavers looking for help and support with housing and employment, and have enjoyed some notable success with placing guys in full time permanent positions.

We now have over 80 registered members, and whilst many of those are accessing the support network, some just enjoy the company, friendship and, of course, lunch.

Our aim now as we move forward is to secure long term funding to allow us to deliver a much-needed service as the numbers of former servicemen and women needing to access it grows.

By IAN W HOPKINS


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Can you describe yourself in three words?

A blether, fun-loving and a people lover – I love being around people.

You have two books published in which you talk about your life story. Can you summarise the key milestones that have led you to where you are today?

I was brought up in a big family, in a good family. I was well looked after, well clothed. We didn’t have much but we had laughter and all my brothers and sisters went on to do really well. At the age of 15 I had a wee job in a café and one of my friends said to me if I wanted to chip in for a wee bottle of wine and I said aye. I remember going down a close and taking a big swallie of it and as soon as I took that

first swallie of it, I was totally addicted. About 3 weeks later I was out popping tablets and drunk and I landed in a coma. I lay in a coma for a week. When I came out of that coma, I ended in a mental hospital at age 15. They gave me what’s known as ‘electric shock treatment’ and see for any wee lassie of 15? That was the scariest thing. I remember breaking a window one night and getting out and they got me and put me in a straitjacket in a padded cell - probably for my own safety, but for a 15 year old it was frightening. My ma used to cry and we decided to get the problem out of the road, so they were going to send me to America to an auntie but I was always a step ahead.

I said no, I’ll go to Jersey because I had a cousin there. Anyway, I took my mother’s money and away I went there. This wee story reminds me of another wee story from the bible and it’s the parable of the prodigal son. Remember the prodigal son took all his father’s money, went to a land far away, spent all that money on partying and drinking, you name it. When he had all that money he had plenty of pals, but the minute his money ran

out - where were all his pals? Nowhere to be found. And where was he to be found? Eating and sleeping with the pigs. Well, I took my wee ma’s money and I went away to a land far away. I spent all that money and I went out and stole a motor and crashed it. We got out of that motor without a scratch but when we went back home it was all over the news, that they were looking for two girls from

Glasgow. I said ‘I’m going to get off this Island’ - I made it to Blackpool. I spent all my money on drink and drugs - no food. I was sleeping on the pier, eating from stuff in bins and on the street. I was filthy - just lying about wherever I

could for a good few weeks until I could do it no longer. I reversed the phone call to my wee mammy and I said, “Mammy, I have no money, I’m out on the streets and my life is a total mess.” She said “May, I’m wiring you down money. Get the bus back up the road.” And when I came back to my wee house, the

Project Director, The Preshal Trust

MAY NICHOLSON


“The bible tells us ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ and the greatest joy for me is seeing families who are broken and faced terrible burdens finding hope, finding peace and finding the greatest of gifts: love, and having new lives.”

May Nicholson

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bed was made, the bath was run and the big pot of stovies was in the oven. What do these stories tell me? The first is of a wee mother. She hated the life I was leading, but boy did she no love me. The parable tells me about Father God - no matter what we do, no matter where we land up, he’s always waiting with his arms open wide to welcome us back.

After that, when I was back, I still drank and it wasn’t until years later that things changed. Years went by and one night I woke up after drunken sleep. One lassie let me into hers, she made me a cup of tea and said she was going to a wee meeting in a church. That night we turned up to a wee church and they were all sitting in a circle. It was all new to me as I never went to a church. My mum was a Catholic and my father was a Protestant so we never went anywhere. Sitting in that church singing and reading out of a book which I didn’t know was a bible, I didn’t have a clue what they were saying, to be honest. Then there was a time of prayer and a lovely big man at the back of the church came to me and said a wee prayer for me. He said, “May, do you believe in God?” I said, “Aye”, because when waking up in prison I would pray, “Oh Lord, help me out of this mess” - and he always did. I said, “I believe in God but he’s no wanting anything to do with me as I’m too bad”. The big man from church replied,

“May, God didn’t send his Son for good people, it was for people like you.” That night I said the simplest of prayers, “Take the drink away, forgive the hurt and pain I’ve caused so many people, and Lord be my master.” That night I walked into that church drunk with no hope and no future and I walked out of that church a new person in Christ. From that day I’ve always wanted to help people.

Many people will know you from your work with the Preshal Tust. Where did the name come from?

I wanted something that when people hear it they say, “What’s ‘Preshal’ mean?” It draws them in and then you can talk about what it means because it means precious. We believe that every person who walks through our door is precious. There is nobody who has come in here I would say who hasn’t felt valued and precious in God’s sight. That’s where the name came from.

How did you go about starting up the Preshal Trust here in Govan?

I started Preshal trust 12 years ago with nothing, just tea and toast and wee activities like arts and crafts. 12 years on and we are employing 12 staff and we work with every problem. We’ve got a brilliant team of workers like a family. We are a great bunch, all with different gifts to complement one another. All I live for is

to see wee families being reconciled where they are broken – like my own family. I wouldn’t have the relationship I have with my family. I have beautiful grand weans. I wouldn’t be living if I carried on the way I was going. God is a restoring God - he wants to restore broken relationships, broken families, broken lives and bring them to that place where they are confident

and have self-esteem. It’s wonderful seeing people come in here. When you see them coming in with their head down and then you start to get to know them you see the head come up.

I was like people who come to Preshal. We work with every kind of problem, and we work with every age group from babies right up to pensioners. I’m even told we work with normal people - if you ever meet one give me a shout! We’ve all had our back to the wall, we’ve all had storms in life and it doesn’t need to be drink or drugs (mine was both) but it doesn’t need to be that, it can be bereavement, a child ill, you could have an illness yourself, or just loneliness. In fact I think the biggest problem out there is loneliness - people are lonely.

A lot has happened for Preshal these last 12 years. What do you see happening in the future?

There is still got a lot of work yet. We have a big space outside and it’s an eyesore. We’re fundraising the now for a community garden. We run youth clubs that are great and do some work in the schools

with other churches, such as teaching guitar. We want a space for kids at the back and maybe a wee quiet space for the pensioners with a water-feature with some flowers. We want a vegetable garden that the guys in the project can work, then we don’t have to buy carrots etc. Then we have a big sub-station and once we have the garden we want to turn it into a big facility for youth boxing and five-a-side football, where we can get kids off the street. It will be their space and they can take ownership over it.

There are a number of activities running daily in the Preshal trust to which all are welcome. Whether you want to take part in a cookery class, photography group or karaoke, there is so much to choose from. You can also get a delicious home cooked meal every Tuesday and Thursday at lunchtime.

For more information about how you can get involved, visit the website www.preshaltrust.org.uk or pop in for a visit where you will be sure to be offered a cup of tea.


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I’m involved with Park Villa football team. What I put into park villa, I get a lot of satisfaction from ‘cause I see young kids coming in from an early age. I see them growing into grown men, you know. Because it doesn’t matter where you come from in society, if you’re part of a group, whether it be football or whatever, basically it puts you on the right path in life, something to focus on. It’s satisfaction for me, money cannae buy. Seeing the joy in a kid’s face when you turn around and say, some simple wee thing like, “that was brilliant” - you know what I mean? Money cannot buy that.

What makes Govan community good?

People! Govan has a bad name, but a lot of good people come out of here. That’s what makes a community: people. What I like about it is if anyone is in trouble or need, we all rally around. In smaller communities everybody sticks by each other.

What does your perfect day look like?

A perfect day, believe it or not, is going to my work. I’ve been in a lot of jobs (some horrible jobs) but I really enjoy what I do here. From day one I set out and said, “I’m setting myself a goal. I’m going to be a millionaire in a year.” Kidding myself on, it’s no about the money! My vocation in life is working in a fruit and veg stall in Govan Cross shopping centre, because without it, and with a year and a half of unemployment, I don’t know what I would have done.

One of my favourite movies is Steven Spielberg’s American biographical crime drama Catch Me If You Can, based on the life of Frank Abagnale Jnr. Before his 19th birthday, Abagnale had masqueraded as a Pan American Pilot, a Georgia doctor, and a Louisiana lawyer, all of this in the context of appropriating millions of dollars through fraudulent cheques. It was with some interest, therefore, that I picked up the book pictured below to read the story of Glasgow’s answer to Frank Abagnale Jnr. - Elliot Castro.

Elliot Castro was a day-dreaming, lovable rogue from a working class area of Glasgow who, like Frank Abagnale, worked out how to use the credit card system to his advantage. Identifying the banks’ security weaknesses, and armed with only his intelligence and bright personality, he embarked upon a Hollywood lifestyle, living the life of a millionaire celebrity, flying executive class and blowing a fortune on designer clothes and Rolex watches.

As with Frank Abagnale, the law finally catches up with Castro, and his fantasy world - which had spiralled out of control - crashes around him.

Of particular interest is the way that the buzz and excitement Elliot Castro experienced pitting his wits against the credit card companies progressively recedes. The rush and euphoria give way to lows, anxiety, withdrawal and guilt. Gradually the lies that had protected him become the instruments that afflict him.

In one final attempt to experience life on a high, Castro heads to Monte Carlo to gamble in high class casinos, only to discover that gambling does not put anything into his life, except volatile mood swings. In the last analysis, he discovered that fraud did not set him free but ensnared him, and eventually imprisoned him.

Elliot Castro would make a good ambassador to our schools as a motivational speaker, unpacking and exposing the myth that a criminals’ life can be a romantic and cool one, while endorsing the truth that a life of honesty and integrity is what sets a person free.

Since his release, Castro has been turning his talents and gifts to good use - helping banks protect their customers against fraud.Pan Books 2008 an imprint of Pan Macmillan Ltd.

Book Review by Norman Mackay

Humans of Govan - TONY


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One lovely summer day Alison decided that she would take a walk in the park to get herself out of the house. Then she met her friend Eleanor, but what Alison did not know about Eleanor was that she was a witch and that she loved to cast spells on people around her as she thought it was so funny. So Eleanor stopped to talk to Alison to see what she was reading as she always had her head in a book. Eleanor said to Alison “would you like to come to my house for dinner Alison?” Alison replied “Yes I would love to come for dinner what will I bring with me?” “Just bring yourself” Eleanor said. Alison went home to get cleaned up for going to Eleanor’s for her dinner.

But Eleanor had other plans for Alison. Eleanor went home and started to make something for their dinner. Eleanor got her spell book out and started to look through it to see if she could make Alison into a ghost. So that night Alison and Eleanor had a lovely dinner and afterwards they just sat watching a ghost film on the TV. At about 10pm Alison said to Eleanor that she had to go home as she had drank too much wine, so Eleanor took her home in her car.

About 4 days had past and Eleanor had not seen Alison sitting on the beach reading her book. So on the 5th day Eleanor decided that she would go around to see is she was okay but when Eleanor reached the door it was left open. Eleanor shouted on Alison and walked in through the open door and there in front of her was Alison’s clothes all sitting on her chair.

“Hi Eleanor,” said Alison.“How are you today?” Eleanor looked around saying, “Where about are you Alison?” “Why, can’t you see me? I’m on my green chair reading my book.” Then Eleanor replied “No I can’t see you I think you are a ghost Alison.” “What do you mean by that Eleanor, How can I be a ghost as I can see you?” Then Eleanor said “But you are a ghost because I cast a spell on you the other night at my house.“ “Why did you do that to me? I thought you were my friend.” said Alison. Eleanor never answered she just laughed thinking to herself how funny it was that Alison was now a ghost. Alison said “I don’t think you are funny Eleanor, I think you should go home and get your spell book out and find a way of turning me back to normal.

Off Eleanor went back home to see if there was a way to turn Alison back to herself. But when she got home she tried and she tried but she could not find a way to change Alison back to normal. A week past by and still Alison was a ghost going in and out of her house and sitting on the bench in the park reading her books.

Then one sunny day Eleanor went to see her at the park. “Have you found a way of turning me back yet Eleanor?” Eleanor replied “The only way to turn you back Alison is that you need to kiss someone to break the spell.” “Who do I need to kiss to break this spell?” Alison asked. “It will have to be your one true love,” said Eleanor. She then asked “Who is your one true love?” But Alison could not say who she loved that much to give him or her a kiss. So Alison just had to stay a ghost until she found the person that she truly loved that much to give them a kiss.

A year had past and still Alison could not find her true love so she phoned Eleanor and asked to meet her in the park. The next day Alison and Eleanor met together in the park to talk. Alison explained to Eleanor that she could not find a nice man that she could kiss and Eleanor told Alison that it had to be a kiss from her one true love if she wanted to break the spell.

Off Alison went again looking for her true love, days passed and still she hadn’t found anyone. Then one afternoon the phone rang, it was Eleanor saying that she had someone for Alison to meet up with the next day.

Alison went round to Eleanor’s house and said “I hope you’re not winding me up Eleanor!” Eleanor replied, “No, here he is and his name is Ian and he lives around the street from you.” “But I don’t know if he will be your true love and change you back to normal Alison!” “Well I will have to try something” Alison replied. Then Alison went and sat next to Ian and gave him a kiss on the lips. Alison just sat back and waited and after 2 minutes had past she turned to Eleanor saying “I feel funny.” “What do you mean by that Alison, that you feel funny?” Eleanor said. “I don’t know I just feel there is something happening to my body.” “Oh! Alison your body is changing into something but I don’t know what you are changing into at the moment.” Said Eleanor. Then Alison said “What’s happening to me Eleanor? I don’t feel very good, help me please.” Eleanor replied “I will help you in a minute, you are changing into something, just hold on okay.”

So as they waited for Alison to change into what they thought was going to be her normal self, something else happened. She ended up turning into a baby. Eleanor just looked down at baby Alison and laughed. “It’s okay I will get someone to look after you as she loves babies so much. I will give her a phone in the morning.” Said Eleanor. The next morning Eleanor phoned her friend Ann Marie and asked her if she would like to look after a baby and explained that the babies name was Alison. “Yes I will look after baby Alison” said Ann Marie. Then Alison and Ann Marie lived happily ever after.

THE END

ALISON THE GHOSTA short story by Ann Marie Birrell


16

Disappearing words

“ Hudgie ”where you would jump on the back of the bus and hang on for dear life!

Old Glasgow game

Not very long ago, before computer games and smartphones took over, children would entertain themselves for hours with only a relatively decent singing voice and the ability to throw a ball against a wall and catch it.

Instructions

Begin with bouncing the ball with one hand and then begin singing. Then pass the bouncing ball under one leg at the end of every other line:

One, two, three O’Leary I spied Mrs Creery

Sitting on her bumbaleery Early in the morning

Or this song was popular amongst the youngsters:

Robbie Burns wis born in Ayr Noo hes doon in George’s Square

If ye want tae see him there Just jump on the bus an pay yer fer

Penny, tuppence, thruppence…. (one handed throws and catch)

Govan memoriesSummer in Elderpark by Margaret Murray

When I was a little girl of 8 years old, I remember I was in Elderpark playing in the pond with boats and the sun shone down. When I got tired, I lay at the side of the pond while my mother sat in the shade. When my mother woke me up to go home I was all sunburnt. I spent the whole night crying!

In the summer, when I was young, I loved to go to Saltcoats every year with my family. I loved to ride the donkeys on the beach and make sandcastles, then off for pie and chips and a bottle of ginger after playing all day on the beach. Those were good times. - Jimmy Gracey


16

17

Bring Back The Govan Bogie.by Norman Mackay

Ma auld bogie meant so much tae me

Pure dead brilliant for tae see,Big pram wheels as well as wee,

Driving through Wine-Alley.

Pulley ropes and auld spam cans,Rusty nails wan after wan,

Gallus paint fae ma pal Stan,Driving through Wine-Alley.

Wee man wiz the name they cried,When ma bogie they all spied,

A total stoater -ah realised,Wiz ma Govan bogie.

Ginger empties I would stack,

In ma bogie at the back,Guard masel against attack,Driving through Wine-Alley.

Lucky midgies wiz the prize,Auld grey bins and wit a size,

Full of treasure I’d surmise,Driving through Wine-Alley.

Sometimes dugs would set oan me,Wit a stoochie it would be,Up a close I’d have to flee,

Driving through Wine-Alley.

Pouring rain and drookit hair,Scorching sun a didnae care,Oan ma bogie everywhere,Driving through Wine-Alley.

Memories they flood ma heid,Welly boots, milanda breed,

Roon the steamie ah would speed,On ma Govan bogie.

Noo these days seem far away,Bogies weans don’t make today,X box games ah hear them say,

But oh a loved ma bogie.

So join with me support the cause,Bring back bogies, bins and baws

Spray yir paint aw oor the woz Long live Glesga bogies !

18

InstructionsMash the potatoes preferably while they are still warm and add the butter and salt. Add in enough flour to make a soft dough but without making it too dry. Add the grated cheese and the 2 beaten eggs to the potato and flour. Make into small round cakes, dip in breadcrumbs if you have any around or flour and fry until the cakes are golden brown on each side. Then serve up, sit down and enjoy!

Potato Cheese CakesThis recipe is a great way to use up boiled potatoes from last night’s dinner…

Ingredients

• 225g or half pound of boiled potatoes• 65g or 2.5oz flour• 3 tablespoons salt• 115g or 4oz grated cheese• 2 well beaten eggs

PUZZLE PLACED P R E M I E R L E A G U E E

A X D U G V Y E T R U O P U N

O B X N L Z U I G T G V G V A

R J R S A P O F I S O A M I M

L C C O D L F N T A E N A I P

L P U C O W T M T L F H N N A

A Q U M R M I O S I G I C R H

H T Q A R R L N C F D G H B C

D A U S R P O O U S P H E D E

L V M E U I I C A U Y S S G N

E A N V P X W H K N F C T Y K

I F O M B T F Q U A R H E K K

H U A N E E D R E B A O R K F

S H I E A K Z V N C T O A C X

C E W Z X U R Z A F C L V D N

E E U M K P D M V S

B R M C I U L E Q E

G J A B K N C R K N

O G R A M T I M R G

I O L J O H Q O C A

O P E R K K T U N J

D R N E F A R I O S

T Z A V N Y O U D R

I Z T F U O O T O E

H M T I Y Y K O W I

Sir Alex Ferguson wordsearch Despicable Me wordsearch

Dr NefarioMargoVectorAgnes

GruMinionsEdithMarlena

Aberdeen, Broomloan Road, Champions League, Chapman, Govan High School, Manchester, Premier League, Scotland, Shieldhall Road, St Mirren

10 of 11 words were placed into the puzzle.AUTUMN 2015 | GOVAN VOICE ISSUE 1


Artists Corner

Original artwork by

Ruby Costley

20T h a n k y o u t o A L L O F O U R g e n e r o u s s u p p o r t e r s w h o m a K e t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n p o s s i b l e

Featured in this edition:Preshal Trust - 0141 445 3689 • Coming Home Centre - 0141 237 8830 • Tea in the Pot - 0141 425 1709

Get into Govan is a series of events, hosted by Central Govan Action Plan, to bring local people together to imagine what a successful future for Govan would look like and agree actions to bring that vision to life. For more information, go to www.getintogovan.com or find Get into Govan on Facebook and Twitter.

COMING SOON AT THE P.I.!

fb.com/getinto.govan

@GetintoGovan

Pearce Institute Organisations:Tea in the Pot - 0141 4251709 • Karibou Scotland - 0141 258 2535 • The Mungo Foundation (CASS) - 0141 445 2800

Prophet Scotland - 07948 833 008 • Scottish Maritime Sailing Trust - c/o The Pearce Institute Govan & Craigton Integration Network / Voice Over - 0141 445 3718 • Xchange Scotland - 0141 237 4767

Carers Scotland - 0141 445 3070 • MacMillan@The Pearce Café - c/o The Pearce Institute Govan & Craigton Integration Network - 0141 445 3718 • Ecole Enterprise - c/o The Pearce Institute MacMillan Cancer/Glasgow City Council - c/o The Pearce Institute • Tara Beal - c/o The Pearce Institute

The Centre for Human Ecology - 0141 445 3700 • Urban Roots - c/o The Pearce Institute Coming Home Centre - 0141 237 8830 • Free Church of Scotland - c/o The Pearce Institute

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