Tooting Newsie Weekly Newsletter
Furzedown Farmers' Market returns, a local fashion show comes to Earlsfield (models needed!), new openings, tube strikes ahead, and lots more this week...
Join an evening of classics and cabaret music this Saturday 6th September at St Augustine’s Church in Tooting, raising money for Ebony Horse Club!
The concert will consist of a first half of classic songs, arias and duets by composers such as Purcell, Handel, Haydn, Puccini, Brahms and Schumann. This will be followed by a second half of cabaret songs from Noel Coward, Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Irving Berlin. There will be wine and nibbles served in the interval.
The church is fundraising for The Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, who utilise horses to raise the education, life skills, well-being and aspirations of young people from disadvantaged communities within Lambeth.
The show starts at 7.30pm, and advance tickets are just £15 (£20 on the door). Find out more and book HERE.
📍 St Augustine's Church, 16-18 Broadwater Road, SW17 0EF
What was Tooting’s bottomless pit?
Is Tooting Graveney a “watery place”?
Why is W.E Morden important in Tooting’s History?
Hear the answers to these questions and more at Tooting History Group’s monthly meeting at 7.30pm this Tuesday, 9th September, at United Reformed Church, Rookstone Road, SW17 9NQ.
There will also be a display of recently acquired black and white photos of Tooting taken in the 1950s and 60s by Ronald Kipps.
More info via tootinghistory.org.uk
Open Day at Tooting’s arts and crafts re-use charity Work and Play Scrapstore, Wednesday 10th September, 12pm-3pm!
This special event is open to non-members, offering a rare chance to explore the Scrapstore and purchase a bag of materials for one day only. And if you decide to sign up for membership on the day, the cost of the bag will be refunded!
The Scrapstore is also running a competition for the most creative use of Scrapstore materials. Winners will receive either a free annual membership or a craft class for their school or group.
📍 Hazelhurst Estate, 13 Blackshaw Road, SW17 0DA. Call 020 8682 4216, email info@workandplayscrapstore.org.uk or visit their website to find out more.
Charity Fashion Show in Earlsfield (and models needed – see below)!
Oxfam Earlsfield holds its Annual Fashion Show, hosted by the Home Community Café at St Andrews Church, on Friday 12th of September at 7pm, where they’ll be showcasing outfits that have recently been donated to Oxfam Earlsfield.
They’re currently short on models – if you’d like to volunteer, please email rbrereton1@oxfam.org.uk or pop into Oxfam Earlsfield, 535 Garratt Lane, SW18 4SR.
Entry is free, but all guests are asked to bring a food donation for Earlsfield Foodbank, and/or a cash donation to Oxfam's Gaza Crisis Appeal.
The event takes place at St Andrews Church, on the corner of Garratt Lane and Waynflete St, SW18 3QG.
There’ll also be an After Party at The Halfway House pub at 521 Garratt Lane.
The brilliant Furzedown Farmers’ Market is BACK after its summer break this Saturday 6th September, 9.30am-1.30pm (and the first Saturday of every month) at Penwortham Primary School playground in Furzedown, just down the road from Tooting – and it promises to be a delicious one with lots of superb local traders in attendance. Dogs are very welcome!
The popular and diverse market is a fantastic place to enjoy a Saturday morning / lunchtime, with 30+ top quality stalls selling coffee, breakfast baps and other hot food, homemade cakes, meat, pies, olives, jams, biltong, wellness tea, gin, fragrances, pottery, plants, flowers, arts & crafts, ladies fashion & accessories, and more!
As well as this Saturday, the Market takes place on the first Saturday of every month, with the next dates being:
• Saturday 4th October
• Saturday 1st November
• Saturday 6th December
Furzedown Farmers’ Market is located at Penwortham School, Penwortham Road, SW16 6RJ – just down the road from Tooting!
See @furzedown_farmers_market (Instagram) for more details!
Chuk, of Tooting-based Homes With Chuk, has had a busy August, including finding new homes for local residents, visiting the much-missed Kuba of Pinch Vegan over the river, attending the Tooting Works Summer Party, and much more – more info via our Instagram or Facebook posts!
Chuk Agudosi is a personal local property advisor. For more info, contact Chuk on 07940 546 190, or pop into Tooting Works at 89 Bickersteth Road and ask for him at reception!
Meet Cristian, the owner of family-run Diseño Barbers, newly opened on Trinity Road in Tooting Bec!
He tells us, “I trained as a barber in my home town of Barranquilla in Colombia, before coming to Tooting to open a Colombian style barber, as there’s nothing else like it around!
“I also have family here, so I’m very happy to be close to them too!
“Diseño means ‘design’ in Spanish – we chose the name to reflect the design and artistry that we put into every haircut and beard trim!
“Our style of cuts are tailored to each customer – if you have something particular in mind, or even if you’re unsure, we’ll recommend something based on your face shape and style.
“We also use our own Diseño hair care and styling products, which customers can purchase – alongside our own perfumes!
“You’ll get a big welcome when you come through our doors. We think our haircuts are the best around, but customers can also help themselves to tea, coffee or soft drinks, as well as play games and listen to music – you don’t come here just for a haircut, you also come to relax and have a good time!
“Come and visit us to see how we do things differently!”
Find Diseño at 28 Trinity Road, Tooting Bec, SW17 7RE. Open 10am-8pm Monday to Friday, 9am-7pm Saturday, and 9am-4pm Sunday. More info on their website.
BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL at Tooting’s K&K Stationers & Printers Ltd on Mitcham Road (see below)!
K&K Stationers, who have been in Tooting for 27 years, are offering 10% off spends over £50, and 15% off spends over £100, on EVERYTHING in store – including stationery, arts and crafts supplies, printer cartridge (even items that are already on offer) – just mention Tooting Newsie at the counter!
The offer is also available when you order via Tooting Delivery – just use code NEWSIE at checkout! Download the app via https://www.tootingdelivery.co.uk/
K&K’s Pirapu tells us, “Whatever your stationery, printing, or arts & crafts needs are, we can help! We know that the new academic year can be tough, so we want to make it a bit easier with some fantastic deals.
“We’re proud to have been serving Tooting and the wider community for 27 years, which is reflected in lots of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reviews on Google. Come in and see what we have in store!”
Visit K&K at 92-94 Mitcham Rd, SW17 9NG (just a 2 minute walk from Tooting Broadway tube) or call them on 020 8767 5149 with any enquiries. Open 9.30am-6pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday. Offer ends Wednesday 10th September, 2025.
Become the fittest, most robust version of yourself with Combat Conditioning Tooting’s End of Summer Tooting Bootcamp!
Join them on Tooting Common for their General Physical Preparedness program designed to get you in peak condition. Combat Conditioning’s George tells us, “We offer a dynamic variety of classes focusing on:
🏋♂️ Strength: Build powerful muscles, increase bone density, and boost your metabolism.
🥵 Cardio: Enhance your endurance, improve heart health, and torch calories.
💥 Strength & Cardio Combo: Get the best of both worlds with high-intensity, full-body workouts!
“Since September 2019, we've been blending old-school Army Physical Training with cutting-edge modern Strength and Conditioning practices to deliver effective, results-driven workouts.
“Why train outdoors with us?
☀️ Fresh air and natural light boost your mood and energy.
🌳 Uneven terrain challenges your stability and builds functional strength.
🧠 Enjoy being outside and clear your head while you sweat.
“Why train with us?
“Teamwork is at the heart of what we do. Train alongside like-minded local residents, push each other, and enjoy your successes together. There’s no better motivation than a supportive, energetic group!
Sign up now and get 12 Weeks of UNLIMITED CLASSES for just £150! Only 20 places available!
🔗 Visit their website to sign up!
📍 Tooting Common, near Dr Johnson Avenue
If you're looking to renovate your home this autumn (whether a loft conversion, extension, new kitchen / bathroom or full refurbishment), or would love some bespoke wardrobes, cupboards or storage for your home, Balham-based builder & carpenter, Shaqo – owner of Y Star Construction Ltd – and his team have been busy over the last few months helping lots of local residents with all of these things & more!
Shaqo is now taking bookings for new jobs and tells us more about the business:
"We're a company that is not afraid of any challenges and love making our clients happy! We help homeowners maximise the use of their space with clever, innovative solutions for any room in the house.
"From complete renovations, to loft or room extensions, to kitchen & bathroom refurbishments (including all plumbing, tiling and flooring), to beautiful new cupboards and wardrobes – our highly-experienced team are to help. Even the smallest changes can make such a big difference!
"We're full of ideas to help you get your home just the way you want it and all our work is carried out to the highest standard and with huge attention to detail."
To find out more & request a free quote, email Shaqo at ystarconstructionltd@gmail.com or call 07498 111 535.
You can see more great examples of their work, including before & after shots, on their Facebook page.
Kids rugby is back on Tooting Common this Saturday 6th September, and every Saturday morning, with Muddy Knees Kids Rugby – and they're offering a free trial for the first session!
Muddy Knees are an all-year-round, all weathers, outdoor provider of non-contact rugby for boys and girls aged 2-7 years old.
Established in 2013, the team at Muddy Knees have introduced hundreds of local kids to the brilliant sport of rugby.
Founder, Roger Green, who used to play for the Royal Navy First XV, tells us more:
"We're passionate about rugby and the opportunities that a team sport such as this can offer to every child, of any ability, with the aim to develop a range of skills and attributes.”
“We know it’s also incredibly important to maintain mental and emotional well being of children, as well as engaging and developing physical activity, and Muddy Knees achieves this in abundance.”
"We offer a free, no-obligation trial session to check if Muddy Knees is suitable for your child.”
“We split the age groups into three and have created a range of games and activities that challenge children, introducing them to principles such as teamwork, respect and discipline in fun-filled sessions, suitable for each age group."
Saturday morning sessions are available on Tooting Common (10am and 11.15am).
To find out more and book a free trial or a block of sessions, visit their website, email sales@muddykneeskidsrugby.com or call 07821 378 898.
A 21-year-old man who filmed himself brutally kicking cyclists off their bikes in attacks across south London, including incidents in Tooting and Southfields, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison, reports Putney News.
A wide range of pedestrian training, road safety talks and shows, and scooter training services are available for Wandsworth children from Nursery to Secondary School age via Wandsworth Council.
More info, including details of the different services, on the Wandsworth Council website.
Domestic violence charity Refuge is advising people with hidden phones or tablets to opt out of receiving national test emergency alerts, which take place next Sunday 7 September at 3pm.
To opt out, please follow their video for guidance or follow the steps on their website (link below). If you are concerned that somebody is monitoring the device you are using, please follow their instructions on their ‘secure your tech’ guides or contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. Full info via Refuge.
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On Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3pm, your mobile phone or tablet will receive an alert.
Your mobile phone or tablet may:
• make a loud siren-like sound, even if it’s set on silent
• vibrate
• read out the alert
The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds.
An alert will include a phone number or a link to the GOV.UK website for more information.
You’ll get alerts based on your current location - not where you live or work. You do not need to turn on location services to receive alerts.
Full info via gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/alerts
September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and Tooting's St George's Hospital have shared Neriya's story to highlight the importance of blood donations:
"Meet Neriya, a teenager from Croydon who, thanks to pioneering care at St George’s Hospital, is able to play football, go on holiday, and enjoy life without the constant fear of painful sickle cell crises.
"Neriya is one of around 160 patients at St George’s who receive regular blood transfusions to replace unusually-shaped red blood cells with healthy donor blood. This “gold-standard” treatment keeps her well – and thanks to the use of ultrasound-guided needles, the procedure is now quicker, less painful, and much more comfortable 💉💙
"Her dad Leon says: 'Before this, we had to fly back from holiday because Neriya had a crisis and she was in so much pain, which was horrible to see. But all of that has gone away now. We feel confident when she has this treatment that we can go away. We’ve noticed such a difference, and it’s much better for Neriya. She’s amazing, and just takes it all in her stride.'
"At St George’s, we care for over 700 children and adults with sickle cell each year. But this life-changing treatment is only possible because of blood donors.
"If you can, please give blood. You’ll be helping incredible young people like Neriya live life to the fullest."
The Tooting Blood Donor Centre is located at 75 Crammner Terrace, on the grounds of St George's. To find out more about donating blood, visit blood.co.uk
Wandsworth Council has launched a new scheme where enforcement officers will remove and impound e-bikes and e-scooters dangerously obstructing pavements or roads, at the operator’s expense.
Since Forest and Lime e-bikes started operating in the borough, the council has removed those left in unsafe locations through periodically impounding badly parked bikes, as well as working constantly with the operators to get them to manage their bikes better and putting in 170 e-bike parking bays. This scheme will expand on this work by trialling a dedicated enforcement team that actively patrols the streets to tackle the issue of badly parked bikes.
As part of this initiative, officers will work to safeguard pedestrians by using their powers under the Highways Act to remove and impound e-bikes and e-scooters that block access on pavements and roads. This will include any that are:
• Lying across the road, preventing other road users from passing safely
• Positioned on the pavement in a way that forces pedestrians to step into the road to pass
• Likely to fall over, posing a risk of injury to pedestrians
• Placed in the road in a manner that endangers drivers or pedestrians
Officers will patrol the borough daily to monitor for any of the above issues, but will also respond to online reports from the public.
More info, including how to report a dangerously parked e-bike or e-scooter, via Wandsworth Council.
Strikes are planned on the Tube and DLR from this Sunday, 7th September, as members of the Rail, Maritime And Transport union (RMT) are staging a five-day walkout in a rolling action over pay and conditions. If the strikes go ahead, services are expected to be disrupted.
• On Sunday 7 September, there will be disruption across the Tube, with limited services running
• From Monday 8 to Thursday 11 September 2025, Tube services will be severely disrupted, with little to no service expected
• On Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 September 2025, there will also be no service on the DLR
Other TfL services, including the Elizabeth line, London Overground and trams, will be running normally but are likely to be extremely busy. At times, they may not be able to stop at stations shared with the Tube.
More info, including how to plan your journey, via TfL.
The BBC has a report on the strike here.
Tooting Bec Old Boys Rugby Club are looking for new players!
The local rugby club has always thrived on welcoming fresh faces and creating an environment where players can grow, get fit and find a community in London.
They have three men’s teams, a women’s team, and a vets’ team, catering to various levels of experience.
Whether you’re a seasoned player or brand new to the game, they’d love to hear from you. To find out more, email becoldboysrfc@outlook.com
SPONSORED CONTENT
Munir shows the way to Burger Nine in Broadway Market Tooting (in his own indomitable style!) – now open 7 days a week, with HALF PRICE on all burgers EVERY TUESDAY (including their Burger of the Month) until Tuesday 30th September!
Try their:
🍔 Hei Hei katsu chicken burger, with ranch, lettuce, lettuce, and honey siracha sauce
🍔 Smash Burger with onion, gherkins, American cheese, and burnt butter mayo
🍔 Smash 3.0 with cheese, pulled beef brisket, Carolina sauce, house red pickles and gherkins
🍔 Smash Plus – double beef with caramelised onions, double American cheese, onions, gherkins, burnt butter mayo, and smoky mustard
…and much more besides!
Find Burger Nine near the Longmead Rd entrance of Broadway Market. Open 12pm-10.30pm Monday to Thursday, 12pm-11.30pm Friday and Saturday, and 12pm-9pm Sunday. Halal options available. Offer valid every Tuesday for eat-in and takeaway until 30/09/2025. Ts and Cs apply. More info via their Instagram.
ADOPTION APPEAL – RSPCA South London are looking for a furrever home for the lovely Coco. Her owners can no longer care for her and they’re trying to find her a new family.
Coco is 2 and a half years old and is a real home body. She doesn’t like going out much and instead likes to snuggle up somewhere warm. She’s a little shy at first but once you gain her trust she likes to curl up with you for cuddles.
Coco would be happiest in an adult only home, or with older children, and she would prefer to be the only cat where she can be centre of attention!
If you think you could offer Coco a second chance at life, please email enquiries@rspcasouthlondon.org.uk
Khalid has opened Fast Fix Tyres at 15a Selkirk Road (where Tooting Tyres was previously located), providing 24/7 mobile tyre repair, same-day tyre fitting, tyre rotation & balancing and more, with a free callout service!
Open 9am-6pm, 7 days a week. More info via their website.
Congratulations and good luck to Khalid and the team!
COMING SOON TO TOOTING: Nav's Beauty salon is to open at 824 Garratt Lane!
Nav already has a branch on Lavender Hill, near Clapham Junction. More info via navsbeauty.co.uk
They plan to open next week. We'll keep you posted...
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