GLASGOW’S newest mural has now been given a name in a touching tribute to a Govan housing stalwart.

As first told in the Glasgow Times, the huge mural showed an unnamed child picking up a daffodil and was commissioned by Govan Housing Association to mark its 50th anniversary.

Now we can reveal she has been christened Georgie in a touching tribute to one of Govan Housing’s long-serving management committee members Georgie Hay.

READ MORE: New Govan mural in honour of the Daffodil King

Georgie died in January after a lifetime of dedicated service to the community and a 42-year connection to the housing association.
Govan Housing chairman Gary Maguire said Georgie “would never be forgotten”.

He added that the decision to name the mural in her honour was appropriate for someone who had devoted so many years to helping others. 

Created by street artist Sam Bates, known as Smug, the mural aims to focus on the future of Govan while embracing the community's proud past.

Located not far from Govan Cross and easily seen on the way into the city centre, it shows a young girl – now called Georgie - bending down to pick a daffodil.

The daffodil has a connection to Govan thanks to the popularising of the flower by 19th century Govanite and horticulture expert Peter Barr who was known as Govan’s Daffodil King. 

After his death, the Royal Horticultural Society established the Peter Barr Memorial Cup, still awarded annually to those who have done great work in the service of daffodils. 

Glasgow Times:

With a nod to Govan’s world-beating maritime heritage, shipyards feature in the background after a community consultation was carried out about what local people would like to see.

The work by Smug was created under the auspices of SWG3 and Yardworks – the renowned Glasgow creative hub and arts venue.

READ MORE: Man attacked Govan Housing Association staff member

The mural sits above the colourful Riverside Hall community gardens and is sure to become a popular city arts landmark.

Founded in 1971 under the name Central Govan Housing Association, it was initially set up to carry out rehabilitation of 212 tenement flats in what was known as the Taransay Street Treatment Area.

Since then, the Association has taken on the ownership and management of more than 1600 properties in the local area and delivered a number of award-winning new build developments to assist with the continual development and regeneration of this proud and historic area.