Tooting Newsie Weekly Newsletter
Tooting Farmers Market returns, Eid in the Park, run (or cycle) for St George's, a local resident on MasterChef, M&S announces their Tooting opening date, cat fosterers needed, new openings & more...
Our weekly newsletter is sponsored by Tooting’s family-run Lahore Karahi – a local institution since 1995! – who are currently offering 20% OFF all collection orders when you order direct via their website at lahorekarahi.co.uk. Ts & Cs apply.
Tooting Farmers’ Market is BACK this Saturday 23rd May — and it’s bigger, better and buzzing with lots of local talent!
Head to St. Nicholas Church as the all‑new market returns after a fantastic launch last month. Expect an amazing mix of local traders bringing you mouth‑watering food, fresh bakes, great coffee, gorgeous flowers, handmade crafts and plenty more to explore. And the Market is dog-friendly! 🐕
Tooting Farmers’ Market is also proud to share that Better Future Financial Planning is supporting this market. Better Future provides all its clients with independent expert advice covering all areas of finances relevant to their circumstances and stage of life. They primarily work with individuals, families, small business owners and charities. More info via their website.
Market open 9am–2pm, Saturday 23 May 2026. Come along, soak up the atmosphere, and support brilliant local makers and producers. It’s shaping up to be a great day for Tooting and a fabulous start to the Bank Holiday Weekend!
📍 St Nicholas Church, corner of Mitcham Road and Church Lane, SW17 9PP
More info via their Instagram.
Taj Daar e Madina Masjid & Education Centre hosts an Eid in the Park event for Eid al-Adha this Wednesday 27th May, from 8.30am on Tooting Bec Common (at the corner of Tooting Bec Road and Dr Johnson Avenue).
Organisers say, “Join us for a joyful family start to Eid! Please bring prayer mats, chairs, water, and smiles for a warm, welcoming celebration for brothers and sisters.”
Hot weather is expected, and there’ll be an ice cream van on site, as well as sweets, cakes, and toy stalls.
All events are run with the help of donations – see poster for details of how to donate.
Full details on poster, or visit www.tdmtooting.com for more info. Please call/text 07429184916 or email TDMORG89@GMAIL.COM with any questions.
Tooting History Group (THG) are delighted to launch the Tooting Historic Shops Trail, as part of the Wandsworth Heritage Festival!
Using a recently acquired collection of historical photos, THG have devised a walking trail of 27 shops in Tooting. Each participating shop will display an illustrated information board about the businesses that previously occupied the premises.
Trail maps and Young Explorer packs are available to pick up at Tooting Library and some participating shops, or you can visit the THG website to find out more and download the map/Young Explorers pack.
🗓️ Fraud prevention event at Tooting Library, 75 Mitcham Road, Friday 22nd May, 10am-12pm
The Met Police say, “Fraud can affect anyone within the community, so we want to make sure you have the tools and knowledge to protect yourself from it. It comes in many different forms and across varying channels, whether that’s through emails, phone calls or in person encounters. Some adults may be even more vulnerable to fraud or financial abuse, but it is something that everyone can be at risk of. If you’re concerned about someone you know, please contact your local social services and ask for Adult Social Care.
Magan Gallery in Tooting Bec presents Spring Tide 2026, a multidisciplinary exhibition of contemporary art, jewellery and design, 29 May–25 June.
Following the success of the gallery’s inaugural open call exhibition in 2025, which featured more than 60 artists and attracted over 150 visitors on opening night, the new edition continues MAGAN’s commitment to dialogue across generations, disciplines and artistic journeys.
📍MAGAN Gallery, 16 Trinity Rd, Tooting Bec, SW17 7RE. More info via their website.
Transport for London urges customers to seek staff help to recover items that fall onto the tracks rather than risk danger trying to retrieve items themselves.
The appeal comes after the number of reported incidents involving items on Tube tracks more than doubled between 2022 and 2025.
People risk serious injury to themselves and others, as well as prosecution and a fine, by going onto live tracks and are reminded to always seek help from trained staff who can safely retrieve items.
Trained staff members use a Track Retrieval Device to pick up items without needing to go onto the tracks. The device has a range of attachments that retrieve objects of varying sizes, from mobile phones and earbuds, to larger items such as hats and shoes. Occasionally, staff may need to go onto the tracks to retrieve the item and sometimes wait until the end of service. Staff always aim to return the item to its owner as quickly as possible. More info via TfL.
Local resident Kristen is flying the Tooting flag on MasterChef this week! The local chef is now through to Knockout Week – will she qualify for the semi-final?
Kristen tells us, “From Clapham North to Tooting Bec, I’ve called every stop down the Northern Line home over the last 20 years.
“In preparing for MasterChef, I’d make the pilgrimage from Moxons in Clapham South for fresh fish, to Balham Farmers Market, Waitrose, Chadwicks Butcher, Tolians for fresh produce and Bhavin’s for Asian ingredients.
“We are so lucky to have such wonderful produce and restaurants right on our doorstep in Tooting. I’m excited to bring a taste of South West London to the most famous kitchen on television.”
You can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.
Good luck, Kristen!
📷 BBC/Shine TV
Congratulations to Tooting firefighters Leoni Munslow and Katie Holloway, who have been honoured at Buckingham Palace with the first garden party of the year!
Leoni and Katie, both based at Tooting Fire Station on Trinity Road in Tooting Bec, campaigned for improved maternity support at the Brigade. Their work has led to significant positive change for both women and parents, providing better provision for both current staff and future employees.
Leoni and Kate were just two of the London firefighters honoured for their lifesaving and charity work at Buckingham Palace. The celebration formed part of an event for frontline workers to thank them for their service and charitable endeavours, with Brigade staff recognised for both their work in London and internationally.
Full story via London Fire Brigade.
Tooting-based property advisor Homes with Chuk shares a glimpse into the stories, people and moments from the last few weeks that show property is about far more than just bricks and mortar... ✨
“A little mix of local property stats, happy buyers, coffee stops, content days, community moments and everything in between.
“There’s also been more Meet The Neighbours, some incredibly kind gifts and messages from buyers after completion (I’m still slightly blown away by those), and a quick trip up North where I was once again reminded that £400k buys very different things depending on your location.😐 🌊
“Plus a lovely referral took me back to Hyde Park Square in the West End – it’s always nice when past clients recommend you to friends and neighbours.
“Oh… and despite appearances, the Jeffersons prize winner did share the waffles and ice cream with her housemates. 😄
“All in all, a really lovely few weeks. Onto the next chapter.” 🎬✨
Need some property advice? Email Chuk at hello@homeswithchuk.co.uk, call 07940 546 190, or pop into Tooting Works at 89 Bickersteth Road and ask for him at reception!
🎾 From the sidelines back to the court – Tooting’s Instant Physio has been helping local resident Michel get back on the tennis court after a shoulder injury. Let’s hear from Instant Physio’s Ed:
“Michel came to see us around a year ago with a shoulder that had stopped him playing tennis for 18 months. He couldn’t lift his arm above his head without excruciating pain.
“He’d been weighing up surgery and injections — and as someone who plays at a pretty high level and lives for the game, the thought of not getting back on the court was devastating.
“We worked through it together — shockwave therapy, hands-on rehab, and a staged return-to-play programme using specific tests to make sure the shoulder was genuinely ready for tennis, not just feeling better.
“The whole team was involved, and we used technology like the ActivForce and force plates to make clinical decisions based on data rather than feel.
“Michel is back on the court playing multiple times a week with full trust and confidence in his shoulder restored. He feels stronger than ever — and has even discovered a love for the gym along the way, something he used to hate.
“And the best part is, he’s recently achieved a goal of playing at Queen’s Tennis Club!”
If you need physiotherapy help or advice, you can book a free taster session via their website.
📍Instant Physio, 261 Balham High Road, Tooting Bec (opposite The Sewing Shop) + Inside Balham Fitness First
📞 020 3488 2698
🔗 instantphysio.co.uk
🕘 Mon–Thurs: 8am–8pm | Fri: 8am–4pm | Sat: 8am–12pm
Want to help support Tooting’s St George’s Hospital? Applications are now open to join Team George’s for the London Marathon 2027 with St George’s Hospital Charity!
And if the marathon isn’t your thing, they’ve got plenty more ways to get involved – they’d love you to join them at any of their upcoming events:
🏃 Royal Parks Half Marathon: An iconic run through London’s most beautiful parks.
🚴 London to Brighton Cycle Ride: A legendary ride through Sussex, finishing at the sunny Brighton seafront.
🌍 Run International: Milan Marathon is now live, with Paris launching soon.
🎽 London Landmarks Half Marathon: Coming soon and always a favourite.
Whether you’re chasing a PB, taking on a new challenge, or running/cycling for someone close to your heart, Team George’s will be cheering you on every step of the way. Check out their events via their website.
Confident Maternity Fosterers Needed! 🐱 RSPCA South London are inundated with rescue requests for pregnant cats and mums with kittens, but without enough suitable foster space, they simply can’t say yes to them all right now.
As a self funded branch, they don’t have rescue facilities or a central cattery. Every pregnant mum or vulnerable family they take in relies entirely on the kindness of their foster network opening up their homes.
The charity is urgently looking for confident maternity fosterers who may be able to support pregnant cats, nursing mums and their kittens during one of the most important stages of their journey.
They know fostering can sound daunting, but you would not be doing it alone. The RSPCA funds all veterinary care, provides transport to appointments, and supplies starter equipment to help you get set up. Their team will also support you throughout!
By fostering, you could be giving a vulnerable mum the safe, quiet space she needs to bring her kittens into the world away from danger, and giving those kittens the very best possible start.
If you think you could help, or even just have questions about what it involves, please get in touch with the charity. Even one spare room can save lives!
📧 enquiries@rspcasouthlondon.org.uk
Meet Youth Medaid, a youth-led Community Interest Company (CIC) based at Tooting’s City St George’s University!
Youth Medaid redistributes surplus medical supplies to individuals, organisations, and communities in need. In the past, they have successfully sent medical donations to Sierra Leone, Uganda, India and Lebanon. Currently, they’re coordinating donations to organisations in Zambia and Nepal.
Youth Medaid are looking to connect with organisations in Tooting and across South London who may have excess or unused medical equipment to donate. If you can help, please email resourcesteam.yma@gmail.com
Volunteering opportunity! Tooting group Forever Fishponds made great progress on the raised plant beds at Fishponds Fields last weekend! Here you can see the different stages of digging, building, lining and filling.
Two beds are now ready for planting – if you’d like to volunteer to help, you can join them at Fishponds Fields in Tooting, 11am-2pm, every Saturday.
To find out more, visit their website or email Foreverfishponds@gmail.com
Fishponds Playing Fields’ entrance is located at 91a Hebdon Road, SW17 7NW.
The Antelope at 76 Mitcham Road has opened the Barclays Room upstairs, available to hire for weddings, birthday parties, engagement parties, work do’s and more! Capacity is 80 seated / 110 standing.
Visit their website to find out more and to book.
OPENING ON WEDNESDAY IN TOOTING: Marks and Spencer are opening a Tooting branch of their Food Hall on Wednesday 27th May at 19-21 Mitcham Road, where Wilko was previously located.
The Brasa Club has officially opened in Broadway Market, where Slab City Pizza was previously located.
Co-owner Argjend tells us, “The Brasa Club is a chef-led concept focused on changing seasonal menus, bringing together modern European cooking with global influences, creative small plates, open-fire flavours and fresh market ingredients. The menu evolves regularly, encouraging guests to return and experience something new each visit.”
Vegan, vegetarian, halal and gluten-free options available.
Open:
• Tuesday & Wednesday: 4pm–10pm
• Thursday: 4pm–11pm
• Friday & Saturday: 12pm–11:30pm
• Sunday: 12pm–9pm
For updates and menus, follow The Brasa Club (Instagram).
Congratulations and good luck to Adrian, Martin, Sebastian and Argjend!
A double rainbow 🌈🌈 over St Boniface Church in Tooting, captured by @haranhp6 (Instagram) – thanks for sharing!
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