Tooting Newsie Weekly Newsletter
Football memorabilia, Festival of the Dead, Wandsworth African Caribbean Food Month, a book swap, Diwali celebrations, food & drink deals, and lots more this week!
The next South London Football Programme and Memorabilia Fair takes place at the Tooting and Mitcham FC Football Ground at Imperial Fields on Sunday 9 November!
It runs 10.30am-2.30pm and will feature dealers specialising in all kinds of football related collectibles. An opportunity to buy:
• Old Football Programmes - club, international, non-league
• Football Related Books
• Badges
• Shirts
• Posters
• Memorabilia of all Kinds
... and much more!
There’s lots of free parking onsite, easy access by public transport, and food and drink will be available.
Admission is just £1 (free for under-18s).
Contact Barry Dixey on 07887 808102 for details including stall bookings, or email tmufc@tmunited.org.
Tooting and Mitcham’s ground is located on Bishopsford Road on the A217 south of Mitcham. Local buses stop outside the ground, and it’s walkable from Mitcham Tram Stop and a short bus ride from Morden Underground Station.
The brilliant Leather Bottle Earlsfield is showing ALL the rugby Autumn Internationals, and has some fantastic events in the run-up to (and including) Christmas, with cheese & wine, Thanksgiving and South African Christmas dinners, and more! 🏉🎄🍻
🧀 🍷 Friday 24th October – Cheese and Wine Night
Join them for a gorgeous selection of delectable cheese and wine pairings.
🏉🍂 All of November – Autumn Internationals
🍷🕯️ Thursday 20th November – Beaujolais Day: Wine & Wax
An exclusive celebration of Beaujolais day, Berkmann Wine Cellars are gifting you your first glass on arrival with Habit Haus hosting a bendy candle-making workshop, where you can take up to 5 candles home with you – perfect for a handmade Christmas gift!
🦃✨ Thursday 27th November – Turkey & Tankards: Thanksgiving Garden Party
The Leather Bottle celebrates the festive season with traditions from across the pond, starting off with a Thanksgiving Turkey and Tankards for all the locals celebrating away from home and those who really wanted to be in the most iconic episodes of ‘Friends’; think line dancing, country music - all the fun of Thanksgiving with none of the heaviness!
🎄✨Sunday 7th December – Christmas Market
Calling all creatives and small business owners! 📣 If you’d like to set up a stall, email the pub at leatherbottle@youngs.co.uk with your info!
🇿🇦🎄 Friday 12th December – Christmas Away From Home: South African Edition
Boerewors, biltong and beer? Let’s go, bru!
More info and booking via their website.
📍The Leather Bottle, 538 Garratt Ln, London SW17 0NY
📞 020 8946 2309
Festival of the Dead returns to Tooting!
The fourth annual Festival of the Dead takes place at the Woodfield Pavilion on Tooting Common, and at Streatham Cemetery on Garratt Lane, between 25 October and 1 November.
Organised by South London Storytelling, the festival marks the changing season and offers an opportunity to think about death and how it gives life meaning. There will be workshops, silent discos, drumming, dancing, music, poetry and stories for all ages.
For full details and to book tickets, visit their Linktree.
Tooting Run Club and Herne Hill Harriers are teaming up to host a free community 5K social run on Wednesday 29 October, as part of Let’s Lift the Curfew, a national campaign to raise awareness and promote a safer environment for women to engage in physical activities, launched by Sport England in collaboration with This Girl Can Run.
The campaign launches when many women pause their exercise routines through winter, with safety concerns about being active outdoors after dark cited as one of the main reasons.
Fran Hall, who serves on the Board of Trustees at TRC and is a volunteer run leader, explains, “As a young woman in London, you can feel a bit uneasy when we hear some of the stories from people in our community. That’s why the work we do at Tooting Run Club is so valuable. Around 70% of our runners are women so there’s strength and safety in numbers. Running together gives us confidence, freedom, and reminds us that these streets belong to us all year round.”
Everyone’s welcome on the run, regardless of gender or fitness level, or whether you’re a regular runner or just getting started. Meet at Tooting Bec Athletics Track for a 7pm start. Sign up for free via Eventbrite.
Tooting Run Club is a local charity dedicated to making running safe, social, inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone. Herne Hill Harriers, with over a century of community and athletic heritage, shares the same commitment to making movement accessible to all. Together, they are running for visibility, confidence, and change. Find out more via tootingrunclub.com and hernehillharriers.org.
NEW IN TOOTING! MH WhiteGlow, a line of teeth whitening strips, launches in Tooting this Saturday (with prizes including a free hygiene appointment and whitening kit – see below)! MH WhiteGlow creator, dental hygienist, and local resident Mareih tells us more:
“I’m so proud and excited to have developed my own dental brand and can’t wait to introduce it to Tooting! With the rise of aesthetic dentistry, and from listening to my patients’ concerns, I’ve recognised a growing demand for effective, well-designed products that reflect both clinical excellence and aesthetic appeal – especially around sensitivity with whitening products.
“After months of research, development, and testing, I created MH WhiteGlow, a dental brand designed with both function and beauty in mind. Our first product is a line of teeth whitening strips that are formulated specifically to avoid sensitivity, meeting the needs of patients who want visible results without discomfort – and provide guaranteed results in just seven days!”
“I’ve always been passionate about improving lives through oral health – so much so that I’ve been awarded Highly Commended – Best Hygienist in London at the Dentistry Awards 2025, and have now been shortlisted for the Private Dentistry Awards, a new milestone that reflects my ongoing dedication to the industry and to my patients – and MH WhiteGlow is the exciting next step!
“I’ll be holding my first product launch this Saturday 25th October at Tooting Dental Care, where you’ll be able to purchase this new product with a 10% discount. Plus, the first ten customers will also receive a goodie bag, and there’ll be a raffle for a chance to win a free hygiene appointment worth £100 AND a free whitening kit!”
The MH WhiteGlow launch takes place this Saturday 25th October, 11.30am-2pm at Tooting Dental Care, 3 Tooting High St, SW17 0SN. To find out more about MH WhiteGlow, visit mhwhiteglow.com.
Events for Wandsworth African Caribbean Food Month continue until 1st November!
Wandsworth is London Borough of Culture 2025 and African Caribbean Food Month is part of the council’s Black History 365 programme. The month was launched at a packed-out event featuring TV chef Ainsley Harriott, who talked about how his Caribbean heritage shaped his passion for cooking, plus a panel discussion with chefs redefining African Caribbean food in the UK.
Upcoming and current events include:
• A Caribbean menu takeover at Home Community Café: until Friday 24 October, St Andrew’s Church, 571 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield, SW18 4SR
• Made You Look Exhibition: Thursday 23 October-Saturday 1 November, Battersea Arts Centre, SW11 5TN
• A Royal West African Supper Club: Saturday 25 October, The Alma, 499 Old York Rd, SW18 1TF
• African Caribbean Food Tasting with Chantelle’s Kitchen: Saturday 25 October, Roehampton Library, SW15 4HD
• Pegasus Legacy & Hope Concert: Saturday 25 October, St. Nicholas Church, Tooting SW17 9PP
• Culinary Explorers, half term cooking workshops for children: Monday 27-29 October, Tooting Works, 89 Bickersteth Road, SW17 9SH
• A Recipe for Social Media Reach for Food Businesses: Monday 27 October, Tooting Works, 89 Bickersteth Road, SW17 9SH
• Caribbean-ish Supper Club: Friday 31 October, St Mary’s Church, Putney High Street, SW15 1SN
• African Caribbean Community Lunch at the R.O.S.E Centre: Friday 31 October, 22 Ascalon Street, SW8 4DD
For more info and to book, visit the Wandsworth African Caribbean Food Month website.
Local residents are also asked to submit their favourite family recipes to be immortalised in an African Caribbean Heritage Recipe Book. You can find submission boxes in Wandsworth libraries and at the Town Hall Marble Hall reception, or you can email them to the Wandsworth Heritage Service at heritage@gll.org
The next Mega Skip Day takes place from 9am this Saturday 25th October, 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 car park, SW17 9PP
• 2613 Malva Close, SW18 2JU
• 60 Larch Close, SW12 9SY
• Lochinvar Estate, SW12 8PS
• 88 Putney Park Lane, SW15 5HN
• 9 Acanthus Road, SW11 5TY
• Dunston Estate, SW11 5QZ
More info, including details of what you can bring and when the skips will be open, via Wandsworth Council.
LAST FEW TICKETS: Balham Bowls Comedy is back with TWO incredible headliners on 5th November – ANIA MAGLINAO and RHYS JAMES!
Ania Magliano is one of comedy’s fastest-rising stars – and can be seen on the current series of Taskmaster! Combining sharp storytelling, effortless charm, and a brilliantly dry wit, her debut show Absolutely No Worries If Not was a sell-out hit at the Edinburgh Fringe and nominated for Best Newcomer, while her follow-up I Can’t Believe You’ve Done This earned rave reviews and extended runs. She’s amassed a huge online following for her clever, understated humour which has also led to her writing for the hugely successful Amelia Dimondenburg show ‘Chicken Shop Date’.
Rhys James is one of the UK’s most accomplished stand-ups, known for his razor-sharp writing, immaculate timing, and perfectly poised delivery. A regular on Mock The Week, Live at the Apollo and Richard Osman’s House of Games, he’s also the host of Fit & Fearless on BBC Sounds and has two acclaimed Radio 4 series under his belt. He’s also just released his debut book ‘You’ll Like It When You Get There’.
There’s also the brilliant EVALDAS KAROSAS, a fast-rising Lithuanian stand-up bringing sharp, offbeat wit and a brilliantly dry perspective on British life. Mixing clever storytelling with deadpan delivery, he’s performed across the UK circuit and festivals, winning over audiences with his smart, understated humour and unique outsider’s take on everyday absurdities.
Balham Bowls Comedy is a regular monthly comedy night on the first Wednesday of every month, previously featuring the likes of Ed Gamble, Sindhu Vee, Phil Wang, Fin Taylor and more! If you miss out this time, keep an eye on December (especially if you’re a Red Richardson or Joe Thomas fan!)
Last few tickets available HERE!
📍 Balham Bowls Club, 7-9 Ramsden Road, London SW12 8QX
Furzedown Builders launch the Student Holiday Work Plan!
Furzedown Builders’ Kamilah tells us more, “We know how hard it can be for students to find part-time or holiday work, especially something local and practical. That’s why we’re launching the Furzedown Builders Student Holiday Work Plan, giving students a chance to earn some extra money during their breaks by helping out with both manual and office-based work.
“Over the summer, we had lots of enquiries from students looking for temporary work, and we took a few on to help with projects and admin tasks. It turned out to be a great success — they gained experience, earned some income, and brought fresh energy to the team.
“We’ve now decided to make it a regular initiative, open to students who want to get involved during school or university holidays.
“Anyone interested can sign up through the contact form in the footer of our website. Once registered, we’ll keep them updated when we open our books for new opportunities.
“It’s our way of supporting young people in the community, while giving them a chance to learn, contribute, and build confidence for the future.”
More info about Furzedown Builders via their website.
Popular TV series 24 Hours in A&E is returning to Tooting’s St George’s Hospital.
The award-winning Channel 4 show provides a fly-on-the-wall look at patients who come through the Emergency Department, as well as the dedicated and talented teams who treat them.
After hosting the series for seven years from 2014 and spanning over 200 episodes, St George’s said farewell to the show in 2021 as it relocated to Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) in Nottingham.
Now, viewers will once again see the life-saving work at St George’s, which was recently fitted with 136 cameras, 30k metres of cable and 150 microphones – to capture daily life in one of the capital’s busiest Emergency Departments, where over 400 patients attend every day.
Full story via St George’s.
A waste disposal company which illegally dumped a mound of household items in Battersea has been issued with a £1,000 fine.
The individuals dumped numerous items, including a fridge-freezer, a toilet and a headboard. The illegal fly-tipping activity was caught on CCTV, and the culprits were identified by the signage on their van and its vehicle registration. They have now been issued with a £1,000 Fixed Penalty Notice.
Wandsworth enforcement officers have the power to issue £1,000 on-the-spot Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for small scale fly-tipping.
Large scale fly-tipping can be punished with a £50,000 fine, and/or a 12 month prison sentence. Offenders convicted of large scale fly-tipping in a Crown Court can face an unlimited fine, and/or a five year prison sentence.
More info via Wandsworth Council.
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HALF PRICE burgers & cocktails every Tuesday in October at Burger Nine and Blend Bar in Broadway Market Tooting! 🍔🍸
Burger Nine and Blend Bar serve delicious burgers and fabulous cocktails – and they’re all half-price every Tuesday in October! Swing by for one of Burger Nine’s signature smash burgers, paired with a fantastic cocktail (or two!) at Blend Bar just round the corner.
Tuesday opening times: Burger Nine 12pm-10.30pm, The Blend Bar 6pm-11pm.
Find Burger Nine and Blend Bar near the Longmead Rd entrance of Broadway Market. Eat-in only. Halal burgers available. Offer valid every Tuesday during the month of October 2025. Ts and Cs apply. More info via Burger Nine (Instagram) and The Blend Bar (Instagram).
Christmas bookings now open at Tooting pizza restaurant Made in Puglia in Broadway Market Tooting! 🎄🍕🍷
Celebrate the festive season Neopolitan style with traditional Italian pizza, antipasti, beer and cocktails, as well as organic wine direct from Puglia!
Christmas bookings are now open, with tables for up to 20 people, or 30-40 people if you’d like to hire the entire restaurant! Get in touch with Alberto, Gianluca or another member of the team for packages on food and alcohol. Bookings are available Wednesday to Sunday in the run-up to Christmas.
Open 12pm–10pm Tuesday, 5pm-10pm Wednesday-Thursday, 12pm-10.30pm Friday-Saturday and 12pm-8.30pm Sunday in Broadway Market, 29 Tooting High St, SW17 0SP.
More info, booking and full menu via their website or email alberto@madeinpuglia.uk to book!
Have you got books your kids don’t read? Howden Insurance Tooting would love to give them a new home as part of their upcoming Book Drive!
Supporting the Children’s Book Project (20 October – 3 November 2025), Howden invites families across the community to donate children’s books to help share the joy of reading with others who may not have access to books at home.
Tara Coffin, Director at reading charity, Learn to Love to Read, says, “Just 1 in 3 children enjoy reading in the UK and this number is declining every year. We know that reading for pleasure is a bigger indicator for success than a child’s family’s economic status and educational background. Book ownership is one of the top three predictors of reading performance, yet 1 in 10 children and young people aged 5-19 say they do not have a book of their own at home.
“Howden has always recognised the importance of reading and book ownership. We’ve benefited from their support for many years and they have a well stocked bookshelf in their office for the community to take books for free to enjoy.”
Matt Hillier, Centre Manager at Howden Tooting, shared: “After the success of last year’s book exchange campaign, we’re excited to take on the challenge again. It’s a cause close to our hearts, and we’re thrilled to be working alongside local charity L2L2R. Their support means a lot to us and to the families we aim to help.”
Howden Tooting is accepting good condition, contemporary children’s books published within the last 10 years (more info here). The goal is to collect at least 150 books, which will be gifted to children in the local area who have very few or no books of their own.
Drop off your books at Howden Tooting, located at 149/155 Mitcham Road, SW17 9PG.
For more info call 0208 672 3375 or visit the Howden Tooting website.
To learn more about the Children’s Book Project, visit their website.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! The Balham and Tooting Community Association (BATCA) held their annual AGM last night at Tooting Works, and amongst the many topics of discussion was their need for volunteers (see below).
BATCA is a network of local individuals and organisations who are committed to creating a cohesive, thriving community where there is trust and friendship between people of all faiths (and none), cultures, ages and backgrounds.
They work towards these goals through three annual events – The Community Awards, The Community Fun Day, and the Prayer for Peace (taking place on Tuesday 11th November).
Through these events, BATCA fundraises for local charities, including St George’s Hospital Charity, and Sickle Cell Society.
BATCA is in need of volunteers to dedicate just a few hours a month. To find out more and to volunteer, please email secretary@batca.org or visit batca.org.
Happy Diwali, Tooting! Dancers from St. George’s Bhangra Team and Beeja Dance brightened up a drizzly day on Sunday 19th October, on the Diwali Dance Trail!
They performed at six different Tooting venues, including Tooting Broadway, both markets, and Tooting Library – who saw them while they were out and about?
This event was organised by the Wandsworth Council EDO High Streets Team.
Tooting Bal Sanskar Group celebrated Diwali at the weekend! Their celebrations started with Manglacharan prayers, followed by paper lantern making and a fireworks display.
A vegetarian Diwali dinner was enjoyed by children, parents and volunteers, with Diwali sweets and toys given to all children.
Tooting Bal Sanskar Group would like to extend their sincere thanks to all their volunteers and team members, and to parents and children for their continued support, with a special thanks to donors and sponsors for making this celebrations such a success.
Tooting Bal Sanskar Group is a group of volunteers that deliver Hinduism and Gujarati classes to the local community. See Tooting Bal Sanskar Group (Facebook) for more info.
Tooting Bec Lido is open all year round for the hardier swimmers out there! Swimmers can join South London Swimming Club for all-year round access (including from 1 October to 31 March when the pool is only open to members), with benefits including member events, access to the sauna, and lots more!
Visit the SLSC website to find out more about becoming a South London Swimming Club member.
Thanks to @hawian (Instagram) for sharing this fantastic photo of the lido!
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