Tooting Newsie Weekly Newsletter
Happy Easter, Tooting! Lots of Easter events this weekend, plus Tooting Bec Lido reopens, news of an upcycled fashion show, a call-out for artists, the coming of Pavement Shark(!) & more!
There are Good Friday and Easter church services all around Tooting this weekend, including (see links, or contact churches for more info):
All Saints Church on Brudenell Road.
Holy Trinity Church on Trinity Road.
New Testament Assembly on Beechcroft Road.
St Augustine's Church in Broadwater Road.
St Nicholas Church on Church Lane.
Mitcham Lane Baptist Church host 'Stations of the Cross: An Artistic Journey' on Good Friday (18th April) and Saturday 19th April.
Organisers say the event "brings together a range of voices to reimagine and reflect upon the timeless story of Christ's final hours. Each station offers a unique interpretation, blending tradition with contemporary expression, inviting reflection, empathy, and spiritual connection.
"Walk the path with us and explore themes of sacrifice, hope, and redemption through the transformative power of art."
Artists include Howard Chapman, Danny McBride, Michelle Baharier, Xochitl Melanie, Julie Anne Fitzpatrick, Anna-Maria Amato and many more
Doors are open 10-30am-1.30pm on Good Friday and 10.30am-1.30pm on the Saturday. Mitcham Lane Baptist Church is located at 230 Mitcham Lane, SW16 6NT.
Deen City Farm & Riding School, just down the road from Tooting, is open over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend! Head down to meet some amazing animals, including lambs, chicks and more!
Deen City Farm & Riding School is an urban farm with an educational focus in Merton, teaching the local community about the rural environment. The farm plays host to a huge range of activities and events; providing educational visits to schools, riding lessons for people of all levels, holiday schemes working in the farm yard, and much more!
Running right next to the farm (which is easily accessible via public transport from Tooting), is the River Wandle and the Wandle Trail, which connects the farm to Morden Hall Park and Merton Abbey Mills.
To find out more, including how to book to meet the new lambs and chicks (visits are limited to small numbers), visit the farm's website.
With just over 2 months to go until the Remaykit Fashion Show, the organisers have been taking submissions of upcycled garments from Tooting!
The Remaykit Fashion Show will showcase the incredible talents of local sewers, knitters, and menders who are transforming discarded clothing into stylish, sustainable creations. From dresses reimagined as skirts, to jackets made from fabric scraps, and jumpers upcycled with intricate embroidery, this vibrant event will highlight the power of creativity to give clothes a second life.
Pictured here are:
• Annie, in her 1970s bedsheet dress made from her husband’s ex -wife’s bedsheets;
• Heather in a men’s linen jacket saved from landfill and embellished with Sashiko stitching;
• Jane, who has ingeniously made a skirt using old silk ties.
If you'd like to show your creations at the event on the 15th June at the Bedford Pub in Balham, please email the following to remaykit@gmail.com:
1. A clear photo of your garment (modelling your creations is not compulsory but preferred!)
2. The size of the garment
3. Information about how it was made and what inspired you to undertake the project
The deadline for submissions is 10th May.
Remaykit is open to all, regardless of skill level or experience. Whether you’re a maker, a model, or someone who wants to help run this volunteer-led show, Ramaykit invites you to join them in a fun and creative celebration, and be part of this movement for a more sustainable fashion world.
Remaykit is part of Wandsworth Arts Fringe, an annual celebration of the arts, bringing exciting cultural experiences to unexpected spaces throughout the borough.
The event takes place 1.30pm-4pm on Sunday 15th June at the Bedford Pub in Balham. More info via: the Remaykit website.
CALLING ALL WANDSWORTH ARTISTS! Registration is now open for Wandsworth Artists' Open House 2025 (WAOH) – head to www.artistsopenhouse.co.uk to secure your spot for the borough-wide annual art trail, taking place on 4th-5th & 11th-12th October!
As part of London Borough of Culture, WAOH are aiming for this to be the biggest and best art trail across the borough, so they'd love all artists, emerging or established, living, working, or with a venue such as a café, business, hall or community centre to show work in Wandsworth, to take part this year!
For more info or to register, visit https://www.artistsopenhouse.co.uk or email waoh2023@gmail.com
If you’re interested in joining a walking group and are aged over 50, The Furzedown Project has some great options for you, from gentle strolls to challenging treks!
• The Project Perambulators is their long established walking group that typically offers walks of between 5 and 10 miles in the countryside near London or exploring parks, woods and water courses in London.
• The Furzedown Strollers Group goes on short, relaxing and friendly local walks, usually on Tooting Common. They meet on the third Wednesday of every month at The Project.
• Their new Garden Walks offer the opportunity to walk around beautiful gardens on the first Monday and last Friday every month. The Monday walking group uses public transport and the Friday walking group will travel by minibus to reach the gardens.
• Step Into Friday takes place on the first Friday of every month, using the Project's minibus to reach starting points for gentle interesting walks, with the chance to do Qigong exercises. The next will be to Wimbledon Common on 2nd May.
Become a member to enjoy these and many other great activities (and please suggest it to friends and neighbours who may not know about what goes on at The Project)!
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.
Applications are now open for stalls and catering pitches for the Furzedown Fun Day on Furzedown Rec, Saturday 14th June!
Organisers Furzedown Community Network are looking for local businesses, independent or community groups, caterers, stage performers (singers, bands, groups, dancers)...and more!
You can apply for a stall here, and if you’re a caterer, please visit here. For all other enquiries, please email events@furzedown.net
The event, in partnership with Enable and Wandsworth Council, is part of this year's London Borough of Culture and the 'Summer In' programme.
PAVEMENT SHARK, an absurd new comedy (set in Tooting!) from Tooting residents Hannah Henderson and Katie Lynch, chronicles how two best friends' lives are changed forever when they discover that sharks have developed legs and are stalking our very pavements, feasting on innocent pedestrians!
The show will be at The Canal Cafe Theatre on the 12th, 13th, 16th & 17th May at 7.30pm – book here!
12 weeks Tooting Summer Bootcamp for just £150 with Combat Conditioning Tooting! Classes start Monday 28th of April, with 4 classes per week (and only 20 spaces available)!
Combat Conditioning’s George tells us, "Consistency is key in achieving fitness, which is why our 12 week structured training program on Tooting Common includes Strength, Cardio, and Mobility training, with sufficient recovery time to allow your body to adapt and improve. You don’t have to attend all 4 classes, but the more you do, the more you’ll benefit!
"There are three types of classes:
"Functional Fitness classes use equipment and bodyweight exercises and drills to provide a challenging full body Strength and Cardio workout.
"Strength classes are Low Intensity, using weights and equipment to focus on improving strength and mobility, while developing muscle.
"Battle PT classes are High Intensity Cardio and cover between 3 and 6 kilometres with various bodyweight exercises and drills, pushing you as hard as you can go
"To chart your progress, there'll be Fitness Assessments at weeks 1, 5 and 9.
“Not only that, but attendees are eligible for 1x Personal Training Session a month for £35 (normal price £60) to work on any specific issues.
"Whether you want to improve your 5k or 10k time, rediscover your 6-pack for the beach, or just clear your head with exercise, our challenging workouts will drag you out of your comfort zone, burn the calories, and have you fighting fit for the summer!"
Spaces are limited, so sign up now via https://www.combatconditioning.uk
Balham Bowls Comedy (BBC) is BACK for their final show of the season with not one, but TWO HUGE COMEDIANS off the telly on Wednesday 7th May at Balham Bowls Club on Ramsden Road!
BBC organisers tell us, “We’re going to be joined by RHYS JAMES, with his razor-sharp wit and cheekbones! Rhys is a regular face on TV, appearing on ‘Live At The Apollo’, ‘Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central’ and ‘A League of Their Own’ – he was also the acerbically brilliant joke machine on 'Mock The Week’!
“We’ve also got SUZI RUFFELL who you’ll know from ‘Live at the Apollo,’ ‘Mock the Week’, and ‘The Jonathan Ross Show’! Suzi is one of British comedy's household names, as well as a prolific podcaster, hosting 'Like Minded Friends' with Tom Allen, and ‘Big Kick Energy' with Maisie Adam (last month's Balham headliner)!
“Also joining us is JAMIE OLIPHANT, a local comedian featured on ‘BBC New Comedian of the Year’ and ‘Still Open All Hours’ – and you may remember him from Comedy at the Tram in Tooting, which he helped run!
“Balham Bowls Comedy has previously seen the likes of Sindhu Vee, Ivo Graham, Phil Wang, Iain Stirling and more! Join the comedy community on May 7th for another hilarious night out!”
Don't miss out – tickets are available here.
Balham Bowls Club is located at 7-9 Ramsden Road, SW12 8QX
Howden Insurance Tooting hosted an Easter Family Fun Day last Saturday! The event featured face painting, Easter chocolate egg and wildflower seed giveaways, an Easter craft corner for children, and a spring competition with a chance to win a pizza oven!
Their free book exchange was a hit once again, attracting both children and parents, and many books found new homes. The exchange is a permanent fixture at Howden Tooting, and you can pick up, donate or swap books you’ve read and loved. Books are mainly aimed towards 7-11 years olds, but other ages (including adults and younger children) are welcome too!
Howden Tooting will also be hosting a Pawtraits event – a photoshoot for local dogs – on Saturday 17th May. Watch this space for more details!
If you’d like to meet the Howden team, pop into their branch at 149/155 Mitcham Road, Tooting SW17 9PG. They look forward to seeing you!
More info about Howden Insurance Tooting via their website.
Wandsworth Council have launched a public consultation on their new proposed policy for events in parks and green spaces in the borough.
The revised policy introduces several key updates, including:
• Allowing more flexibility for events in winter (with safeguards in place)
• Strengthening protections for ecological areas
• Requiring event organisers to reduce noise and environmental impact
• Ensuring ticketed events offer discounts for low-income residents
• Increasing public consultation and engagement on events
The council wishes to hear from:
• Anyone who uses Wandsworth parks or open spaces,
• Anyone who attends, organises or takes part in community events
• Anyone who may be impacted by events
• Anyone who needs additional support to access Wandsworth parks and events
• Local businesses who want to see higher footfall and harness the benefits of the events
• Any other interested party
More info, including links to the draft Events in Parks policy document, the Equality Impact Assessment, and a link to the survey, via Wandsworth Council.
📷 Google Maps
We're sad to report that Franco Manca has permanently closed its branch in Tooting Market.
We'll keep you posted as to who will be moving into the unit.
Tooting Bec Lido reopens to the public today, Thursday 17th April!
From 1 May to 30 September, the Lido will open every day – alongside special April swim times to kickstart the season.
More info, including opening hours and swim times, via Wandsworth Council.
Members of the South London Swimming Club can swim all year round. To find out more about the club and how to join, visit their website.
📷 Swimmer Lisa, via @slsclido (Instagram)
British hospitals, including St George's in Tooting, are introducing treatment for heart failure that cuts deaths by 62%, reports The Guardian.
Experts say the new approach could mean those with the potentially fatal condition start receiving their ideal amount of medication within two weeks of diagnosis rather than after many months.
Evidence from other countries that have already used the treatment found it cut deaths from heart failure by 62% and lowered their risk of ending up back in hospital by 30%. Those were among the key findings of the Strong-HF trial involving 87 hospitals in 14 countries.
About 1 million people in the UK have heart failure, which is incurable. It means that the heart can no longer pump blood around the body effectively and leaves sufferers breathless and tired.
St George’s in Tooting and Morriston hospital in Swansea have begun treating patients with the innovative method, which those involved say “is a total gamechanger” for the condition.
Clinical staff likened the approach – known as “rapid titration” – to how cancer patients are given a full dose of chemotherapy medication from the start of their treatment to improve their chances of recovery.
Full story via The Guardian.
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AND THEN, Tooting’s rooftop cocktail bar, is open until 1.30am every day over the Easter Weekend, with Happy Hour every day!
The rooftop bar serves cocktails, wine and beer, with food from Honest Burgers just a few doors down.
Happy hour cocktails – including Mojitos, Tommy’s Margaritas and Espresso Martinis (see images for full menu) – are just £7.50, with bottles of house wine at £22, bottles of Prosecco for just £30, and Peroni Rossa beer for a fiver!
Opening hours (and Happy Hour!) this week:
• Thursday 5pm-1.30am (HH 5pm-9pm)
• Good Friday 5pm-1.30am (HH 5pm-9pm)
• Saturday 2pm-1.30am (HH 2pm-7pm)
• Easter Sunday 2pm-1.30am (HH 2pm-9pm)
AND THEN is located at 54a Tooting High Street, just over the road from Tooting Broadway tube.
Book your table via https://www.andthentooting.com – walk-ins also welcome!
Popular Tooting Thai 🇹🇭 restaurant Kaosarn is now open on Bank Holidays, starting this Bank Holiday (Easter) Monday, 21st April, 1pm-10pm!
Owners, Noi and Goo bring the atmosphere and flavours from the famous, lively Khaosan Road in Bangkok, into their restaurant on Tooting High Street!
You'll find a diverse range of Thai dishes, both classic & modern (with exciting new dishes coming soon) – from small plates, to street bites, to main meals for social dining! You can BYOB (bring your own booze) or order from the bar.
To book a table at Kao Sarn, call 0208 672 8811, email kaosarn@kaosarntooting.co.uk, or just walk in if there's room!
Kaosarn is located at 181 Tooting High Street (a short walk from Tooting Broadway tube). More info via their website.
And head over to our Instagram for a chance to win a £100 voucher (competition closes at noon, Saturday 19th April)!
Local food charity Be Enriched has launched a campaign to raise £2,500 to cover urgent tax and parking permit costs for its much-loved Food Bus and Food Float, which bring fresh, affordable produce to communities across South London.
The Food Bus made 160 stops last year and served nearly 2,400 customers, offering fruit, vegetables, and pantry staples at up to 25% less than supermarket prices.
More than 14 million people in the UK are experiencing food insecurity. In areas where supermarkets are scarce or too expensive, Be Enriched’s mobile food projects are aiming to close the gap in neighbourhoods that need it most.
These unexpected costs threaten to pull funds away from the organisation’s core mission: fighting food insecurity and helping residents in areas with limited access to healthy food. With just over a month left and over £1,900 still to go, Be Enriched is calling on the public to help keep its vital services on the road.
“Parking permits may not sound exciting, but without proper funding, we risk disruption to the service that our communities depend on,” said Kemi Akinola, CEO at Be Enriched. “Every pound raised helps us stay focused on what matters, getting fresh food to people who need it.”
To donate or learn more about the project, visit their donation page.
RSPCA South London Branch's latest kittens are getting big! They’re starting to show their own little personalities and keeping the local charity very busy with their playing and exploring!
They've been named Harry, Harvey, Henry, Hattie and Hazel. They’re now 5 weeks old and will need to stay with mum for another couple of weeks before they’re able to start getting their jabs and go to their new homes.
This family will cost the RSPCA over £1000 in boarding and vet fees throughout their time with the charity. If you'd like to help, you can donate here.
Tooting's St George's Hospital in bloom! There's a fantastic explosion of colour at our local hospital, thanks to Head Gardener John Greco, and the St George's Gardening Team – well worth a look!
You can see more of John's work via The Blossom Warrior (Instagram).
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