Latest news with #GovanFair
Scotsman
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Govan Fair Queen: Elaine C Smith stars in new Paul Black short film
Harper Blue Hamilton and Elaine C. Smith star in Paul Black's Govan Fair Queen. | BBC Scotland / Shakehaus Written and directed by Paul Black, Govan Fair Queen stars Elaine C Smith and Harper Blue Hamilton with Julie Wilson Nimmo also set to appear. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A 'heartfelt and hilarious' new short film starring Scottish icon Elaine C Smith, will soon be released on BBC Scotland. Titled Govan Fair Queen, the short comes from rising Glasgow filmmaker and comedian Paul Black who said the project was based 'roughly' on his childhood. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It follows 9-year-old Abigail as she is reluctantly roped into entering the annual Govan Fair competition by her gran Linda. With a dream holiday to Florida at stake, tensions rise and a long-standing rivalry is reignited. Harper Blue Hamilton will make her onscreen debut as Abigail, with Smith playing her larger-than-life grandmother. Balamory and Scot Squad actress Julie Wilson Nimmo will also appear as one of the judges. Described as 'a celebration of working-class pride, local legacy, and intergenerational love set in the heart of Govan', crews were spotted filming in Glasgow earlier this year with The Govan Fair committee even loaning the production the authentic Govan Fair Queen crown. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Govan Fair Queen highlights 'the joy in working class communities' Black, a two-time Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award nominee, said it was a 'joy' to make the short. He said: 'It was a joy to work with such a talented cast and crew on a wee story (roughly) based on my childhood, The Govan Fair holds a special place in the community's heart, and I loved bringing it to life on screen. 'It celebrates the humour and tenacity of the women I grew up around, highlighting the joy in working class communities that is often overlooked in stories about us.' The film is executive produced by Margarita Veberaite for Shakehaus and produced by Lauren Lamarr, with editorial input, accessibility support, and local engagement support from The Portal Studios. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Three judges for the Govan Fair Queen contest seated in a row in a town hall. The head judge, played by Julie Wilson Nimmo, sits in the middle | BBC Scotland / Shakehaus Moya Crowley, the creative director of The Portal Studios, said they were proud to support a film which celebrates 'authentic local storytelling'. She added: 'Paul's voice shines throughout this story, capturing the spirit, humour and strength of the community.' How to watch Govan Fair Queen? Govan Fair Queen will be released on BBC iPlayer from 6am on Monday, July 14. It will also be broadcast on BBC Scotland at 9.30pm on the same day.
Glasgow Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Paul Black's film Govan Fair Queen comes to BBC Scotland
Govan Fair Queen is a new comedy short by the Scottish breakout star, who started his career on social media. It follows nine-year-old Abigail, who is reluctantly pushed into entering the annual Govan Fair Queen competition by her larger-than-life gran Linda. The story is a celebration of working-class pride, local legacy and intergenerational love, set in the heart of Govan, in the city's Southside. It will star local acting legend Elaine C Smith, joined by Harper Blue Hamilton in her screen debut. Paul Black's film Govan Fair Queen comes to BBC Scotland (Source: Sonja Blietschau) (Image: Sourced) READ NEXT: Iconic Glasgow actress spotted filming 'new Paul Black film' Paul Black said: 'It was a joy to work with such a talented cast and crew on a wee story (roughly) based on my childhood. "The Govan Fair holds a special place in the community's heart, and I loved bringing it to life on screen. "It celebrates the humour and tenacity of the women I grew up around, highlighting the joy in working-class communities that is often overlooked in stories about us." Govan Fair Queen will air as part of BBC Scotland's Comedy Shorts initiative at 9:30pm on Monday, July 14. And again on BBC Three at 11pm on Thursday, July 17. It will also be available on iPlayer.
Glasgow Times
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Teams crowned winners at Glasgow's Govan Fair Cup
Youngsters from both Craigton and St Saviour's primary schools were driven through Govan on Friday, lifting their trophies high as crowds lining the streets cheered them on. Craigton Primary School's winning team (Image: Newsquest Staff) Pupils from Craigton had come out on top in the girls' section of the annual football tournament, whilst students from St Saviour's were crowned winners of the boys' section. It came after more than 20 teams – from primary schools in and around Govan – faced off at the Ibrox Community Complex on June 4. St Saviour's Primary School's winning team (Image: Newsquest Staff) The winning teams were then presented with medals and trophies at Edmiston House before celebrating on an open-top bus as part of the Govan Fair parade. The Glasgow Times was invited to chat with players from each team to find out how they were feeling. Left to right: Thomas Rouse and Stephen Barrie (Image: Newsquest Staff) Thomas Rouse, 11, revealed how the St Saviour's team had trained for the tournament. He said: 'We did lots of training and put in lots of dedication. I've been playing football for nearly my whole life. 'I am absolutely buzzing, and our friends said they were proud of us.' READ NEXT: Glasgow Necropolis charity celebrates 20th anniversary Meanwhile, Stephen Barrie explained how he felt as his team lifted the trophy at Edmiston House. The 12-year-old added: 'I've been playing football since I was one year old and this was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. 'We did lots of exercise and lots of running about to get fit.' The youngsters lifted the trophy high in the air (Image: Newsquest Staff) Lynne Neilson, principal teacher at St Saviour's, told of her joy as this was the first time in 'almost a decade' that the school had taken the trophy home. She commented: 'I'm feeling fantastic. We've been training the team, and it's been about nine years since we've won, so the boys are absolutely buzzing. 'The fact that it's a Govan school that has won the boys' tournament is a big deal for us, everyone's delighted.' Ahead of the bus starting to follow the parade route – leaving from Fairley Street and finishing on Arklet Road – members of Craigton PS's winning team expressed their excitement. (Image: Newsquest Staff) READ NEXT: Volunteers clock over 350 hours for Glasgow 850 celebrations Left to right: Emily Penrice, Kayla Abraham, and Hala Al Bweidane (Image: Newsquest Staff) Hala Al Bweidane, 11, explained she was feeling proud. She said: 'I've been playing football for about a year now and competed in the Cup last year. We won in another tournament, and we learned so much from that. 'I am really proud of myself.' Kayla Abraham, 12, added that the team had lots of fun on the day. She added: 'I got a late notice to take part, and I knew I wanted to go. I've been playing football my whole life. 'I am very excited to be on the open-top bus, it's brilliant.' (Image: Govan Youth Information Project) (Image: Govan Youth Information Project) (Image: Govan Youth Information Project) Emily Penrice told of how she has not been playing the sport for long but was excited to be a part of the winning team. She commented: 'I'm just happy to be here. I haven't been playing for that long. We're excited and happy.' The Govan Fair Cup was taken over by the Govan Youth Information Project (GYIP) four years ago. At that time, the group had promised to make the event 'better' each year. (Image: Govan Youth Information Project) (Image: Govan Youth Information Project) (Image: Govan Youth Information Project) READ NEXT: Tiny meerkat pups find their feet in Scottish safari park John Aitken, project worker at GYIP, highlighted the importance of the tournament and how he believes it truly showcases 'what Govan is known for'. GYIP members Ethan, Kelsi, Arran, Ryan, Josh, and John alongside Dougie from Glasgow Life (Image: Newsquest Staff) He stated: 'I feel really good because we've kept our promise that when we took it over, we would make it better each year. 'I think we've done that by adding extra schools, the live cup draw and presentation at Edmiston House. 'I think the full GYIP team deserve a pat on the back. The youngsters might have never had an event like this unless they went to professional football. 'Even taking part in a big football tournament like that, not all kids like organised football, so doing that with their school can be pretty special to them. 'It's really just about them having fun and gaining new experiences. It's about the wider community getting together and pulling together, which is what Govan is known for.' (Image: Govan Youth Information Project) (Image: Govan Youth Information Project)
Glasgow Times
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Iconic Glasgow actress spotted filming 'new Paul Black film'
Elaine C. Smith, known for her role in Two Doors Down and for playing Mary Doll in Rab C. Nesbitt, was seen being filmed in the Southside. Locals have hinted that the actress is in a new short film written and directed by Glasgow comedian Paul Black. They also say that the film will be centred around the historic Govan Fair Queen. Govan Fair is a centuries-old tradition, held on the first Friday of June, where parades take to the streets. Iconic Glasgow actress spotted filming 'new Paul Black film' (Image: Facebook/acumfaegovan) Paul, who shot to fame after filming funny sketches on TikTok, will be crowning the fair's Queen this year. Excited locals snapped the pictures and shared their joy at the filming. READ MORE: The Govan Fair returns to Glasgow's Southside this weekend They said in a social media post: "Spotted them filming Elaine C. Smith and a little girl dressed as Govan Fair Queen outside Fairfield Heritage a few weeks ago. "Just found out that it is a BBC and Screen Scotland short film named Govan Fair Queen - written and directed by Paul Black and coming to BBC iPlayer this summer. "Very fitting that comedian, writer, and director Paul will be crowning this year's Queen. "Thanks to The Old Govan Fair for the information." A group of young children at the Govan fair in 1960 (Image: Archive) Other locals flocked to the comments on the post to share the excitement. One said: "We lived in Govan in our early childhood. I still remember the Govan Fair Parade. Happy memories." Another said: "Govan Fair parade this Friday. There is always a good crowd. I hope it stays dry." The Fair announced Paul as the person who will crown the Queen this year and gushed over his new project - they described it as the comedian's "love letter to the Govan Fair." READ MORE: Memories: Govan Fair in 1958 The Glasgow Times reported on the 2022 Govan Fair, which was the first to take place since the Covid lockdown thwarted previous years. Honorary chairperson, Dorothy Courtney, spoke then and said: "I've been on the committee for almost 33 years now and chairperson for around 31. 'It's a real passion for me. 'I'll probably cry on the night. READ NEXT: Stranger saved my life by noticing deadly cancer growing in my neck, says mum 'It's been two years since we've been able to hold the event fully because of Covid. "This year feels like the first time that everything has been allowed to open back up properly. 'It's a great thing for the people of Govan.'
