The People’s Common

The People’s Common is a series of free gatherings, talks, gigs and plays that will take place over two weeks on the terraces in Queens Park. Rooted in the belief that folk embedded in their communities know what is best for them, the common will bring people together for open conversations about land, justice, health and culture, exploring possibilities for politics beyond electoralism.

We hope the space will allow for thoughtful discussions about community organising, a changing world, health and political divisions, while creating opportunities for learning, collaboration and popular education. We want to spend time together in a positive and hopeful way, building community, exchanging ideas, and reflecting on how collective action and local knowledge can shape a future for people, not profits.

The Programme (so far…)

25th April - Making The Commons. Spend the afternoon with us making banners and marking out our commons. We’ll be working on a big willow Goose too!

26th April - The Fire that Never Went Out remembers the Craigallian Fire, a campfire near Milngavie that burned for 20 years and fostered Scotland’s working-class outdoor movement. Fire-sitters shared stories, planned change, and later fought for land rights, anti-fascism, and social justice, revealing overlooked histories that inspire hope and action today.

27th April - What do we need to face an uncertain future? A facilitated conversation around local responses to global problems.

30th April - Tackling the Far Right. Looking at the historic context of the far right’s presence in the Southside, and organising against it today. With Radical Glasgow Tours and Living Rent.

1st May - The Emporium of Radical Ideas - Learn about radical learning and organising at this pop up people’s emporium!

(5pm - 8pm) - Celebrating International Worker’s Day. Songs wi Doctur Normul - bring yer instruments and a picnic for a wee session!

2nd May - Tam Harvie’s Dyke tells the story of a community taking on a greedy landowner in the 1820s, resisting the enclosure of the commons, and winning rights of way along the Clyde. Come and help bring the story to life, with a play reading, lively discussion and a couple of songs.

Bits fae The Chariot, The Flag and the Empty Empty Houses - an anti-nuance-ceilidh-play, which explores the complicated nature of living on and being from the Isle of Skye. Combining live music, theatre, poetry and comedy, it aims to explore big issues like housing, identity, language and cultural trauma while still feeling like a good night out (or afternoon in this case…)

4th May (5pm - 7pm) - What do we need for a healthy community? A wee talk from Carol Craig (The Tears that Made The Clyde, The Scots Crisis of Confidence) and a facilitated group conversation afterwards. 

5th May - What does safety feel like where we live? Join us for an open conversation about community and justice — especially for those who don’t always feel heard. We’ll talk about what harms us, what helps us, and what could change when our lived experiences guide the way. Every voice matters here. Yours is welcome.

6th May - What next for the Commons? Time to reflect on the People’s Common, and to develop ideas and actions for how we move forward together.