Bungo in the Back Lanes
As the names implies, Bungo in the Back Lanes is a neighbourhood festival held in the back lanes usually on the Saturday closest to the summer solstice; 2012′s event takes place on Saturday the 23rd of June, starting at 1pm. For details of some of the attractions, see the BitBL map.
We’re hoping 2012 will be the year we finally enjoy a repaired, level surface for the festivities on most of the back lanes.
It began in 2000 (and before that the summer Bungo knees-up took place in Queens Park) with the aim to bring the back lanes to life and put them to use. The famous facades of Strathbungo have earned the area conservation status, but the cobbled back lanes give our neighbourhood quite a different character. The rambling lanes, the original granite setts we walk on, the less than upright brick walls are familiar, friendly, sometimes disgraced by the dumping of rubbish or the foraging of an urban fox– but they’re ours!
There are almost two acres of back lanes there for us to play with or play on, two acres of performance area, music venues, playground, exhibition space and dance floor!
We hoped that by realising the great potential of this shared space we might discourage its abuse. Indeed, every Bungo in the Back Lanes has stimulated a giant clear-up with residents and the Council joining forces to remove graffiti, uplift rubbish and strim the vegetation that springs eternally between those cracked bricks and paving stones.
Bungo in the Back Lanes encourages everyone to open up their back gates, set out their stall and sell their wares – whether it’s home baking, barbecued burgers, craft goods, or junk from their attics (which becomes someone else’s treasure). Just set up your own table and get going.
The Strathbungo Society brings in some added value with live music, beer gardens, tea gardens and all the fun of the fair – tombola, bottle stall and other prize-bearing games.
Each year since 2000, Bungo in the Back Lanes has attracted more and more people, and more and more households have opened their doors and taken part. We’ve Bungoed in the Park, we Bungo at the Bells, but Bungo in the Back Lanes is the biggest and best event.
All the best people do it in the Back Lanes! What will you do this year?
Hi does it cost anything to book a table?
There is no cost to setting up a table (you just have to provide your own). We ask that you pay a donation to the Strathbungo Society at the end of the event (something like 10% of takings).
Hi,
how do you go about booking a table? I’m new to the area and would love to take part.
Kim
There is no need to book. Just turn up with your own table and find a spot.
What date is bungo in the back lanes this year ?
Saturday the 18th of June, starting at 1pm. Hope to see you there.
Where do we register as volunteers? I’m not finding any where to sign up. Help.
thanks
Hiya,
I will be doing my cupcakes again this year beside the children’s garden!
Would it be possible to have a table?
Thanks
Nicola
Hi Nicola,
I’m sorry, you have to provide your own table for Bungo in the Back Lanes. We just don’t have enough to go round. Best of luck and see you there.
hi, i really want to sell some things at this event, i have done so many time before, but nobody really bought much..is there anything that is easy to make/get a hold of, that will sell better?
brodie
Can you confirm if you’ve been granted an alcohol licence this year after last years disappointment?
Yep, we got the alcohol licence. Strict rules apply around the consumption but there will be alcohol available this year.
J
More here:
http://www.bungoblog.com/general/ill-drink-to-that/
My daughter and I are hoping to sell vintage/designer second hand kids clothes. Can we set up in Marywood Lane and choose our own spot?
Looking forward to our first proper Bungo in the Back Lanes as before we moved to Strathbungo we had just been onlookers
Yes, just pick a free spot in the lane. It’s easy to see where people are setting up in their own section.
I am in Glasgow from Australia until lunchtime 14 June and my Great Aunty was born in Marchetown Place Strathbungo on 26 July 1884. I have a copy of her birth certificate and it mentions the Strathbungo Parish Church. Are any of these places still existing?
Hi,
I’d noticed in the Bungo Newsletter that if you are selling food you need to contact the council but forgot to note the contact details – could youlet me know what these are again?
Thanks
Hi Jen. The details for food safety are also on the Bungo FAQ sheet but to save you hunting them down, here they are: Phone 0845 2701558. Email: foodsafety@glasgow.gov.uk.
Any late volunteers for Bungo In The Back Lanes will be very gratefully received. We’ll be setting up gazebos, tables, chairs and A-Frames from 10am on Saturday morning. Just follow the noise in the back lanes! We’d also love a hand getting it all down again. We start packing up around 4.30pm and are usually finished by six. If in doubt, just ask anyone on the marked Society stalls or the stewards in their hi-vis vests.
@Ross McColm
I’m guessing this might have got to you too late, Ross, but Strathbungo Parish Church is still standing and has been converted into flats by a local housing association. It’s the red sandstone church on Pollokshaws Rd between Allison St and Calder St. There’s a bus stop right outside. Marchetown Place no longer exists. It’s possible it’s an old name for March St, although many of the streets or sections of them had different names in the past. My part of Nithsdale Road used to be Matilda Place!
Hi
I’m just wondering what the protocol is for non Strathbungo residents who want to take part? Is it just a case of turning up at arounf 10am and setting up? I don’t want to ‘squat’ on anyones pitch!
Cheers
Hi there, Yep, just pitch up somewhere. If you’re on someone’s turf you could simple move along a bit. There is usually space on the back lane between Regent Park Square and Nisthdale Road if you wanted a sure thing. Try to leave plenty of room for people to walk however. Last year there were stalls in the middle of lanes which created bottlenecks. Jonathan
Hi I’m strathbungo’s resident and want to put a food stall in the back lane , what document I need for a food stall.
@Laura Moodie
Laura. I just happened to find this on 8 Nov. Thank you so much for your reply. We did find the church and enjoyed taking pictures and wandering around the grounds. It is wonderful the façade and arch was kept so beautifully. This has happened a lot in Australia when developers want a site with an old building with a beautiful front and it is a good compromise when the whole building cannot be kept. We loved Glasgow and found lots more of both our family history around Govan.
Hi there
Will the 2012 event be on Sat 23rd June? I’m planning a holiday in June and would hate to miss this…
Thanks!
Romy
Hi Romy, yes, it will be Saturday 23rd June.
Hi Bungees I was wondering if you need any entertainment for 2012 Bungo in the Lanes? I have a belly dance group who are always looking for the chance to dance and as we are mostly fairly local I thought this would be ideal! Please let me know if I have to contact anyone in particular. Cheers Sarah
Hi Sarah, that sounds great! Sounds like you’d be best off in a garden space. Do you know anyone who has a garden in the lanes and would let you use it on the day? If not, don’t worry, just let us know and we’ll match you up to someone with a garden space who doesn’t want to set up stall!