Tooting Newsie Weekly Newsletter
The Furzedown Farmers' Market returns, food and drink deals, new openings, signs of Spring (including goslings!), and lots more going on in Tooting!
The brilliant monthly Furzedown Farmers’ Market is BACK this Saturday 5th April, 9.30am-1.30pm – and with even more new stalls to tempt you!
The increasingly popular Market is a brilliant fantastic place to enjoy a Saturday morning / lunchtime, with 30 stalls from top quality local businesses selling all sorts of produce, including meat, smoked trout. honey, homemade jams & cakes, along with books, plants, coffee & more – and lots of hot food options!
As well as this Saturday, the Market takes place on the first Saturday of every month, with the next dates being:
- Saturday 3rd May
- Saturday 7th June
Furzedown Farmers’ Market is located at Penwortham School, Penwortham Rd, London SW16 6RJ – just down the road from Tooting!
Dogs are very welcome!
See @furzedown_farmers_market (Instagram) for more details!
A2ndVoice - Autism Support Group - Tooting is hosting the first ever Wandsworth Autism Cultural Experience Fayre this Saturday 5th April at Tooting Leisure Centre.
The event, supported by Wandsworth Black History 365, is designed to educate and encourage non-autistic individuals to learn more about autism while acknowledging its cultural dimensions, particularly within African and Caribbean communities.
The Fayre will feature:
• 30 plus stallholders
• Workshops
• Meet the authors
• Sensory Play
• Art Gallery with Arts and Craft session
• Bouncy Castle & Soft Play
• Pop Up Arcade
• Facepainting
• Melodian Steel Pans
• Pointe Black Ballet Academy
• African Drumming with One Drum
• Raffle Prizes
The Fayre takes place next Saturday 5th April, 2.30pm-6pm Tooting Leisure Centre, Greaves Place, SW17 0NE. More info and tickets here.
Furzedown Project Spring Fayre this Saturday 5th April, 10am-2pm!
There’ll be a great selection of bric-a-brac and jewellery, house plants, hand-made gifts and toys, a special selection of designer hats, and delicious food to enjoy! All money raised will go towards the Project’s activities and outreach work.
The Furzedown Project at 91-93 Moyser Road, SW16 6SJ, is an activity centre and social hub for people aged 50 and over, who's mission is to increase people's sense of wellbeing and reduce social isolation. More info on their website.
Easter Trails this Sunday 6th April at St. Nicholas Church, Tooting! Join family fun trails with games, puzzles, and a free chocolate egg for all kids, 2.30pm-4pm!
Booking not necessary, but please sign up here to give the church an idea of how many eggs to buy!
St Nicholas Church is located on the corner of Mitcham Road and Church Lane, SW17 9PP.
There's lots going on for all ages in libraries across Wandsworth (including Tooting) in April, including digital inclusion programmes, storytelling, robotics workshops, Eid events, Easter events, kids' activities, and so much more! Full list of activities and libraries via Better UK.
SPONSORED CONTENT
HALF PRICE BURGERS EVERY TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY IN APRIL at Burger Nine in Broadway Market Tooting!
Munir and the team are offering half price on ALL burgers (which all come with house salted rosemary chips!) every Tuesday and Wednesday for the whole month of April, 5pm-10pm. Try their NEW Hei Hei katsu chicken burger, with ranch, lettuce, lettuce, and honey siracha sauce, their signature Smash Burger with onion, gherkins, American cheese, and burnt butter mayo, their Smash 3.0 with cheese, pulled beef brisket, Carolina sauce, house red pickles and gherkins, or their Smash Plus – double beef with caramelised onions, double American cheese, onions, gherkins, burnt butter mayo, and smoky mustard – and much more besides (see menu in images for more details)!
Eat-in and takeaway only. Find Burger Nine near the Longmead Rd entrance of Broadway Market. Open 5pm-10pm Tuesday to Thursday, 12pm-11pm Friday and Saturday, and 12pm-6pm Sunday. Halal options available. Offer valid every Tuesday and Wednesday during the month of April 2025. Ts and Cs apply. More info via burgernine.co.uk
An exciting new lunchtime menu has launched at Tooting French bistro & steak house, Bordelaise! The new lunchtime menu is available Tuesday-Sunday, 12pm-5pm.
Feast on their steak sandwich, steak frites, crispy duck & orange salad, snails & bone marrow, baked aubergine, grilled asparagus – and lots more besides!
Their fantastic Sunday roasts are available too, and you can also go Bottomless for 90 minutes at weekends for just £24 extra (must order a main dish). Bottomless drinks include margaritas, Aperol spritz, wine, beer, Prosecco & soft drinks.
To book a table at Bordelaise, visit their website.
You’ll find Bordelaise located in Broadway Market Tooting, open Tuesday-Sunday from noon!
Bringing a taste of Argentina to Tooting! Argentinian grill, Ok13 Grill has been welcoming local residents to their restaurant on Tooting Bec Road for almost a year now – and has proved incredibly popular!
Owned by Tooting residents and Argentinian natives, Fer & Lau, the food at Ok13 is mainly cooked on a traditional open-fire grill, serving a range of empanadas, wine, and of course, steaks!
Fer & Lau share more about their restaurant:
"Our story started, as many others did, during lockdown when we began cooking from home for a small group of neighbours. That small group, through word of mouth, started to grow and grow, and soon we were delivering all around Tooting. Deliveries turned into Chef Tables in our back garden, private catering, and so on.
“After lockdown, Fer returned to work in restaurants (as he had for the previous 20 years). Following a pop-up in Balham, in May 2024, we opened our restaurant in Tooting Bec, where we cook from our custom open-fire grill.
“We'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who's supported us since we opened in May last year – and would love more of our neighbours to discover our restaurant and enjoy our food!"
Ok13 has recently launched a couple of specials and a monthly live music event:
- Early Bird / Night Owl Special: Book a table from 5-6pm or 9.30-10pm and receive 15% OFF your total bill!
- Live Music: Once a month, join Ok13 for a night of live music. The next session is on Wednesday, 9th April! Music starts at 7pm. Free entry. Limited spaces.
- Beef & Wine Masterclasses: Ok13 will soon be offering masterclasses teaching you all about their beef and wines - watch this space!
To find out more about Ok13, see the menu, and book a table, visit their website.
Ok13 is also available for private hire/dining. Please email ok13grill@gmail.com to enquire.
You'll find Ok13 located at 16a Tooting Bec Road, SW17 8BD. Open Tuesday - Friday, 5pm-10pm; Saturday, 12.30pm-3.30pm & 5pm-11pm.
Note - Sundays only open on Father's Day & for group bookings - please contact them to book!
After 116 years in Tooting, the family-run Harringtons Pie and Mash Shop at 3 Selkirk Road closed their doors for the final time on Saturday 29th March.
Bev tells us, "We've all been here a long time, and we think it's finally time to call it a day. Dave (our piemaker) wants to retire, and I've been here for forty-three years – it's now time to follow my other dreams and interests.
"We've been so proud and happy to serve the community for all these years, but it's time to say goodbye. Thanks so much to the community for all your love and support over the years."
Farewell Harringtons – you'll be much missed!
120 new bikehangars are currently being installed across Wandsworth, providing secure cycle storage for residents. The additions bring the total number of bikehangars in Wandsworth to 347, with more to come. The intention is to make it easier for people to choose cycling as a practical, everyday option.
More info, including how to rent a space in a bikehangar, and where your nearest hangar is, via Wandsworth Council.
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, MP for Tooting, met with Royal Mail directors at the Tooting Sorting Office on Longmead Road this week to address postal delivery delays in Tooting, Balham and Earlsfield.
She said on her social media, "Far too many local people are experiencing unacceptable delays with their post.
"I met with Royal Mail directors at the Tooting Sorting Office to express my dissatisfaction and push for the issues to be rectified. They’ve agreed to turn it around in 4 weeks."
Dr Rosena asks residents who've experienced disruption to their regular post recently – or are still experiencing these delays – to please fill out the survey on her website. These responses will then be fed back to Royal Mail in order to identify particular problem areas. If you have a tracking or barcode number on the envelope of a delayed item of post, please enter that also.
To fill in the survey, visit: https://www.drrosena.co.uk/postdelays.html
Traders in Tooting Market have raised concerns over management after a series of rent rises which they claim are “pushing” businesses out of their long-time homes – allegations that the market has refuted – reports South London Press. Full story via their website.
TfL have banned most e-bikes across the London Underground and other Transport for London services from Monday 31st March, after growing safety concerns over igniting batteries, reports The Guardian.
"Only folding e-bikes, which are less likely to have been modified and are deemed less of a safety risk, will be permitted on the London Underground, Overground, Elizabeth Line and DLR trains from 31st March.
"Transport for London (TfL) said the ban was to ensure the safety of customers and staff, in the wake of union threats to strike after a series of fires.
"Last month, an e-bike exploded into flames on a London Underground platform at Rayners Lane, an incident the train drivers’ union Aslef said could have caused mass casualties.
"Bicycles converted to e-bikes using conversion kits are regarded by TfL as a greater fire risk than purpose-built e-bikes, but it said that as it was difficult to differentiate between models a general ban was necessary until improved safety measures were in place.
"All non-folding bikes are already banned on buses or trams. E-scooters are also banned across TfL due to the fire risk."
Full story via The Guardian.
A flytip was spotted on Nimrod Road in Furzedown (near the junction with Thrale Road) on the morning of Wednesday 2nd April, and has been reported to Wandsworth Council.
If anyone has evidence (such as video footage) of the incident, and is willing to provide a witness statement, please email the council at flytipwitness@wandsworth.gov.uk or call them on 020 8734 3032.
Your first 3 classes for just £40 at Unfurl Studios in Earlsfield, who offer Yoga, Pilates, Barre, Meditation classes and more (see below)!
Owner Harriet tells us, “We’re excited to introduce ourselves as your new wellness destination for 2025! Experience our two uniquely designed rooms – the Breathing Room and the Movement Room – offering over 40 classes a week, including Yoga, Pilates, Barre, Meditation, Breathwork, Sound Baths, and even warm classes with infrared heating panels. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced practitioner, there's a class for every level!”
You can now try your first 3 classes for just £40 at Unfurl – visit https://www.unfurlstudios.co.uk/intro-offer to find out more and to book.
Blue Light workers, teachers, and students can also enjoy a 10% discount, making Unfurl’s unlimited monthly membership only £85.50! Email hello@unfurlstudios.co.uk to find out more.
Unfurl Studios is located at 531 Garratt Lane, SW18 4SR. Open 6.15am-8,15pm Monday to Friday, 9.30am-11.15am Saturday and 9am-12pm Sunday. More info via their website or or email hello@unfurlstudios.co.uk
Upcoming events and tours at Streatham & Clapham Prep School! The local all-through school, which inspires girls from nursery to Year 13 to feel ambitious about learning, is enriched by their wide-ranging and quirky co-curricular opportunities and outstanding pastoral care. Events include:
EARLY EXPLORERS: a taster session for girls aged 2-5 years to experience their school-based nursery. Friday 9th May and Friday 6th June, 9am-10am.
SMALL GROUP TOURS: attend a personal tour with the Head of Prep and see the school’s amazing facilities. Wednesday 30th April, Wednesday 14th May and Friday 23rd May, 9am-10am.
MINI MOVERS: stay and play sessions for girls and boys aged 2-5 years, led by specialist sports teachers. Every Thursday from 24th April to 26th June, 10am-11am.
PARENT TALK WITH TINA ARCHER: keynote speaker Tina Archer talks about early language development. Thursday 22nd May, 7pm-8.30pm.
To find out more and to reserve your place, visit their events page.
Streatham & Clapham Prep School is located on Wavertree Road, London SW2 3SR. More info via their website.
The Balham Cycling Club (just down the road from Tooting!), founded in 1897, holds social rides on the 3rd Sunday of each month with five different pace groups and ride leaders. They are now welcoming new riders and members!
For more info on how to join, visit their website.
North Mitcham Plot Owners Association (NMPOA) have proudly opened their latest site improvement – a Kazuba waterless composting toilet to serve its population of over 100 growers and gardeners!
The association, based in the area of North Mitcham/Furzedown Borders, sits on land between Mitcham Eastfields and Streatham and has been operating since 1921. The new fully accessible toilet, which requires minimum maintenance, is the first major financial funding the association has ever received and fulfils a need identified by NMPOA's members ensuring the plots and amenities are accessible to all users. The National Lottery’s Community Fund fully funded the toilet.
Allotment plots are owned individually and when they are not being worked, the allotment committee tries hard to persuade owners to consider taking a tenant from the waiting list or existing plotholders to give up a bit of their space if they are finding it too much work. Only people living locally will be considered, and interested parties can email nmallotment@gmail.com to join the waitlist.
If you'd like to get involved in a community garden, the following local groups welcome new volunteers:
Tooting Community Garden at 5 North Drive near Tooting Common.
Mitcham Community Orchard and Gardens, run by Sustainable Merton.
Streatham Common Community Garden at the Rookery on Streatham Common.
All of these spaces are a great opportunity to pick up new gardening skills and make growing connections while you wait for a plot!
Nepalese restaurant Momoste has opened at 106 Mitcham Lane, with husband and wife Rajan and Kopila offering a warm welcome and a chance to try their hand-made momo dumplings (and much more)! The word Momoste is a blend of the greeting 'Namaste' and 'momo'!
Open every day, with breakfast, momos and coffee served from 7.30am and an authentic Indian menu using fresh ingredients and home-made sauces from 2pm to 11pm.
Available to order for eat-in (bring your own alcohol) and takeaway, as well as on Deliveroo and Uber Eats. All food is halal, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options available – they are also happy to cater for specific dietary requirements. More info and menu via their website.
Congratulations and good luck to Rajan and Kopila!
Royal Trinity Hospice charity has opened a shop at 17a Mitcham Road, selling adults' clothes and accessories!
Royal Trinity Hospice is the oldest hospice in England, with a catchment of over 700,000 people (including some of the most derived areas of south London) and all their services are free.
The shop and charity are proud of their sustainable record, and have used eco-friendly paints in the decor, with their hangars made of ocean plastic, partially recycled tiles, curtains made of recycled bottles, and mannequins made from sustainable materials!
The charity has won awards for their sustainable work, including a Charity Retail Association Environmental and Sustainability 2023 Award, and the Drapers Conscious Fashion Best Carbon Footprint Initiative Award 2025.
Open 10am-6pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am-5pm Sunday. More info via their website.
Congratulations and good luck to manager, Praise, and the team!
The Egyptian Geese on Tooting Common have had some goslings!
Dog walkers are asked to please keep their dogs on leads when near the lake, to keep the goslings safe from harm.
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