Tooting Newsie weekly newsletter
Furzedown's first literary festival, a Holi celebration, a Tooting local takes on a Saharan Ultramarathon, food and drink deals, new openings, and much more!
FREE cat microchipping event at RSPCA Tooting!
It is now a legal requirement to have your cat microchipped; it's also incredibly useful if your cat is prone to wandering and it means you don't have to worry about your cat getting lost.
RSPCA South London are holding a free microchipping event at their Tooting shop, 71-73 Upper Tooting Road, SW17 7TW, on Thursday 3rd April, 11am-3pm. No appointment needed, just come down with your cat, and they'll get them chipped!
While the event is free, they would appreciate a donation of £15 to help them cover their costs, if you can afford it.
More info via RSPCA South London Branch Eventbrite page.
Groovy Juice are BACK at Mezzanine in Tooting Market, TOMORROW Friday 28th March, playing anything from Detroit and French house to North West England tech and electro – if it’s got a groove, they’ll play it!
Groovy Juice are a south London based collective, and lovers of all things underground. Coming off the back of their winter series, sponsored by soft drinks brand DASH, and riding the growing success of their radio show on Bloop, you’re going to want to get in on the ground floor of these ever-growing parties!
It all kicks off at 8pm at Mezzanine in Tooting Market, and goes into the early hours! For tickets from £5 (and details of other events at Mezzanine), visit their booking page.
Furzedown Litfest, Furzedown’s first literary festival featuring well-known authors and journalists, kicks off with a pre-launch event this Sunday 30th March at the Furzedown Project on Moyser Road!
Join Balham novelist Bobbie Darbyshire, who'll reveal the secrets of being a successful writer especially for readers, writers and plotters!
The main festival then takes place on 10th May at Mitcham Lane Baptist Church, and will feature an exciting and diverse line-up including the Guardian’s John Crace, BBC’s former Security Correspondent Gordon Corera, barrister Nicola Williams, past Graveney students and now successful novelists Yara Rodrigues Fowler and Michael Donkor, plus writers Tom Newlands and Kathryn Faulke.
Interviewers include the Guardian’s Zoe Williams, the FT’s Sarah Neville, local author and journalist Saima Mir, Liz Sayce OBE, chair of the Furzedown Project, and Alice Hattrick.
Four special children’s interactive sessions will feature storytelling, tales of everyday teenage heroes, screen writing and history.
For more info and tickets for this Sunday's event and the main event in May, visit https://furzedownlitfest.com/
Furzedown Litfest is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run event, with all money raised going towards future events, as well as reading projects and initiatives in local schools and libraries.
The next Mega Skip Day takes place from 9am this Saturday 29th March, in seven locations around Wandsworth, including Tooting.
Mega Skip Days are an opportunity for people to dispose of bulky items for free. Large skips are placed in neighbourhoods around the borough for all local residents to use.
The skips are open to residents of the London Borough of Wandsworth only. Proof of address may be required on the day.
The skips will be in the following places:
• Church Lane, SW17 9PP
• Acanthus Road, SW11 5TY
• Malva Close, SW18 2JU
• Larch Close, SW12 9SY
• Putney Park Lane, SW15 5HU
• Akcroydon East - Tymperley Court, SW19 6QS
• Savona Street - opposite 55 to 88 Wenham House, SW8 4DX
More info, including details of what you can bring and when the skips will be open, via Wandsworth Council.
Give your carpets, sofas & hard floors the ultimate spring refresh with Balham's Prime Steam – Albert & the team are helping lots of local people transform their homes using their 100% green-cleaning products, with 5 Star Google Reviews! They're offering 10% OFF all bookings until 30th April – quote NEWSIE10 when you book - details below!
Prime Steam use powerful 110°C steam cleaning technology, fast-drying equipment, and non-toxic cleaning solutions to deliver a deep, safe and restorative clean with minimal disruption.
Their new 100% green, plant-based cleaning options are ideal for families, pet owners, and anyone seeking a healthier, and fresher-looking home without the use of harsh chemicals.
Prime Steam's expert services include:
• Steam Carpet Cleaning (wool, synthetic, stain treatments)
• Sofa & Fine Fabric Cleaning (viscose, velvet, linen & more)
• Tile & Hard Floor Cleaning & Restoration
• Victorian Tile Cleaning & Restoration
• Tile & Grout Deep Cleaning & Sealing
• Marble, Travertine & Limestone Polishing & Sealing
• Natural Stone Care
• Advanced Stain Removal & Optional Fabric Protection
As owner Albert puts it: “We’re passionate about providing safe, high-quality cleaning solutions that restore the beauty of your carpets, upholstery, and floors – so you can relax and enjoy a cleaner, healthier home.”
To find out more and to get a free quote, email hello@primesteam.co.uk, call 020 397 80083 or visit their website at get.primesteam.co.uk
To claim your 10% OFF, simply quote NEWSIE10 when booking by 30th April 2025!
If you're looking for a local Orthodontist to look after your children's teeth, award-winning local clinic Ten Dental + Facial provide orthodontic treatment to lots of local children.
Orthodontic treatment can be started as early as 8 years old and the clinic offers a free initial consultation.
Ten Dental co-founder, Nik Sisodia tells us more:
"We have a fantastic team of Orthodontic and Paediatric Specialists who are here to assess and monitor your child’s dental development, to evaluate the need for any form of interceptive orthodontic treatments – treatment that ‘intercepts’ problems with the teeth before they become a major issue, potentially reducing the time, cost and complexity of treatment required.
"Our team is very experienced in putting children at ease, especially those who are anxious, and helping them to understand how their treatment will work and the huge benefits it will bring!"
To find out more and to book an appointment, WhatsApp 07308 716 397, call 020 8675 1798, email hello@tendental.com or pop in to their clinic at 155 Balham High Road.
You can also visit their website.
Tooting Bal Sanskar Group celebrated Holi last week, a major Hindu festival celebrated as the Festival of Colours, Love, Equality and Spring,
Tooting Bec Councillor Paul White joined the celebrations, which began with children from the group singing prayers, followed by two dance performances by girls from the group.
Councillor White gave a short speech about Holi, which was followed by children's games and Gujarati street food (the group extends their sincere thanks to all the volunteers who prepared food). The event culminated in everyone playing with Holi colours!
Tooting Bal Sanskar Group is a group of volunteers that deliver Hinduism and Gujarati classes to the local community (they also celebrate annual events such as Holi and Valentine's Day, also pictured). See Tooting Bal Sanskar Group (Facebook) for more info.
Last week, The Furzedown Project launched ‘Ageing on Our Own Terms’ a new booklet for health and care commissioners, providers, and regulators, designed to assist in meeting the needs and aspirations of LGBT+ people as they age.
It was created by members of the Project's 50+ LGBT+ group, based around their hope to live a fulfilling life into older age. Proposals include community based mutual support and steps to ensure inclusive services, as well as guarding against discriminatory or unwelcoming practices.
Liz Sayce, Chair of Trustees of the Furzedown Project, said: "Older LGBT people are imagining and shaping the futures they want as they age. We are delighted to share the conclusions with colleagues across health and care services, to inform development of great, respectful support for older LGBT people. The Furzedown Project is proud to have set up the LGBT group 8 years ago and we are very grateful to Wandsworth Council for providing a grant to support this booklet and event."
More info, Including a link to the booklet, via The Furzedown Project.
Good luck to Tooting resident Matt, who'll be running the Marathon Des Sables (MDS), a self-supported 250km Ultramarathon in the Sahara Desert, to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention.
Matt tells us, "Hello, Tooting! I’ve been a Tooting resident for 5 years, and there’s a good chance I’ve run past some of you in recent months, either on the common or around town! It’s all for good reason as I have spent the last 7 months training for MDS, commonly referred to as ‘the toughest footrace on earth’.
"I’m not doing this because I get pleasure from putting myself through pain, but rather because raising awareness for suicide is an extremely important cause I believe in.
"Suicide has very sadly become a topic all too close to many of our hearts, so along with 5 of my friends, each of us with our own deep connection to the cause, we’re doing our best to raise awareness for suicide and specifically in support of Campaign Against Living Miserably, a brilliant charity providing suicide prevention support to those who need it most, while also challenging the stigma that continues to surround mental health.
"I would be so grateful if anyone in our wonderful community felt they could get behind the challenge and support our fundraising efforts. Although times are tough for many of us at the moment, anything you can spare by way of a donation or by sharing the link to your feeds would go a long way to helping us reach our fundraising target and making a real impact."
Matt and his friends start their journey on 4th April – visit his JustGiving page for more info and to donate.
SPONSORED CONTENT
It's Lobster Mania every Tuesday at Dell Boyz American Diner & Bar in Broadway Market Tooting, where they have a special offer of a Lobster Sharing Board for 2 people for just £40!
The offer runs every Tuesday from 12 Noon - 10.30pm!
The Sharing Board consists of:
- 2 Whole Canadian Lobster in Thermidor Sauce
- 1 Full Rack of Smoky BBQ Baby Back Ribs
- 3 Wild Tiger Prawns in Garlic Butter Sauce
- Asparagus Hollandaise
There’s also Happy Hour cocktails throughout Tuesday, from 12 Noon - 10.30pm!
To book, please text 07789502421, DM @dellboyzbar (Instagram), or just walk-in if there's room.
You'll find Dell Boyz American Diner & Bar located at Unit 2-10, Broadway Market, 29 Tooting High Street, SW17 0RJ, open from Noon, Tuesday to Saturday!
20% off drinks at The Goldfinch when you book until the end of April (see below) – plus, get 2 cocktails for £15 until 8pm every day!
Manager, Lewis, tells us more, “Come and see us at your cosy neighbourhood craft cocktail bar!
“In these challenging times, we want to bring a sense of community back to Tooting, one great drink at a time. At Goldfinch, we believe in the power of connection, laughter, and the shared joy of a perfectly crafted drink. We love what we do, and we can’t wait to showcase that passion with you. Join us, let’s toast to good times and even better company!"
For 20% off drinks, quote 'Finch20' in the ‘Special requests’ booking notes – visit https://goldfinchsw17.co.uk/book to book.
Ts & Cs apply. The Goldfinch is located at 145 Mitcham Road, SW17 9PE. Open 5pm-12am Monday to Thursday, 4pm-2am Friday & Saturday, and 4pm-12am Sunday. More info on their website.
Celebrate Mother's Day at Indian Room in Balham with 25% OFF the dine-in food bill and a FREE special dessert for every mum dining, this Sunday 30th March, 12.45pm - 11.15pm! To claim the offers, bookings must be made in advance via their website at indianroom.co.uk
Indian Room will also be open throughout Mother's Day for online delivery / takeaway orders, although the discount and special dessert offers are for dine-in only.
Located at 59 Bedford Hill, Balham, the award-winning Indian Room offers a menu packed full of delicious starters, main dishes & sides from across the different regions of India. Most vegetarian dishes can be made vegan on request and they also cater for those with special dietary requirements.
Indian Room prides itself on making their cuisine as healthy as possible, without compromising on taste. All dishes are prepared without using ghee and therefore, relatively low fat. They don't use any artificial colourings, all meat is British bred from a farm down in Devonshire and only the freshest, seasonal vegetables are used in their cooking.
To book a table, or to order online, visit their website at indianroom.co.uk
You'll find Indian Room located at 59 Bedford Hill, Balham, open 7 days a week!
The London Greenground Map – Cycling Edition, created by graphic designer Helen Ilus, is the first schematic London-wide map connecting the National Cycle Network, Cycleways, and the extended cycle network to green spaces and waterways.
The map aims to make both commuting and leisure cycling greener and more enjoyable while encouraging exploration on two wheels for cyclists of all abilities.
For more info and to view or download the map, visit Helen’s website.
Care4Calais SW London is appealing for donations to their Easter Egg appeal for refugees they support in southwest London. A Care4Calais spokesperson said, "Asylum seekers have to live off £8.86 a week, so we like to provide them with a nice seasonal treat, especially the children. Each large egg is £4 – please buy as many as you want! We will be giving them out on 4th April as we're closed for Easter. Thank you for your support!”
For more info and to donate, visit their fundraising page.
Congratulations to all the brave participants who raised thousands of pounds in Tooting by plunging down the side of the 13-storey Pelican Hotel for St George's Hospital Charity!
57 people abseiled down the building, including team members from St George’s and Queen Mary's security teams, members of the physiotherapy and neuro teams, and representatives from local schools.
Members of City St George’s leadership team and Student Union also took on the challenge, as did Reverend Obi Chike from St George’s chaplaincy.
Rev Obi said: “It was fun! I was very grateful I was able to do it for St George’s Charity. I hope more people get involved and help the charity raise even more money required for patients, staff, and visitors. Thank you to everyone who has supported."
So far, the event has raised an incredible £19,800, with donations still coming in to support vital projects that benefit patients, staff, and visitors across St George’s and Queen Mary’s Hospitals.
The charity would like to thank everyone who has supported this fantastic cause! To make a donation to the charity, visit their donation page.
Congratulations to the St George's Hospital Boat Club who finished their annual 24-hour row at the Tooting hospital today, after rowing over 7,000 km to raise money for St George's Hospital Charity and Cancer Research UK!
They're over halfway to their £1,000 target – if you'd like to donate, visit their GoFundMe page.
The new Tooting Hub officially launched at 7a Beechcroft Road on Tuesday, providing a local space that brings together essential council services under one roof.
Parents, young people, and children can access everything from parenting advice and early-years support to youth services, health checks, digital skills and job training in one space.
The hub also hosts community-led projects like the Rackets Cubed Social Supermarket, where families struggling to make ends meet can shop for groceries at a fraction of the price. Wandsworth Council also announced the expansion of its Baby Box scheme, which provides essential early-years support to new parents, and will now be available to all residents eligible for Access for All, a borough-wide initiative removing barriers to vital services.
The hub was officially opened by Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, and attended by Tooting MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, alongside local community leaders and residents.
More info via Wandsworth Council.
Lloyds Local has opened at 48 Mitcham Road, selling alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, confectionery, snacks, tobacco & vaping products, and more.
Open 6am-midnight Sunday to Thursday, 6am-2am Friday and Saturday.
Congratulations and good luck to Tushan and the team!
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