Tooting Newsie Weekly Newsletter
A Secret Postcard event, a Clothes Swap, two Pancake Parties, a new Maltese bakery, a new Brazilian restaurant – and that's just for starters! Here's what's going on in Tooting this week...
Sprout Arts' Secret Postcard Show is now on, with over 500 mini-masterpieces available to buy for just £6!
Choose your favourite artwork (maximum 3) from professional artists, talented amateurs and those who just wanted to be creative, including children from Penwortham School and students from Share Community!
It's secret because you buy the postcard of your choice THEN find out who made it!
There’s also a Silent Auction of 12 mini masterpieces by popular artists with bids starting at £15.
This show raises vital funds for Sprout Community Art Gallery, which is not-for-profit and run entirely by volunteers. Pop in, enjoy the show – you can also find out more about volunteering or becoming a member if you're interested.
Open Tuesday to Saturday 11am-5pm until 8th March at Sprout Arts, 74 Moyser Road, SW16 6SQ. More info via sproutarts.com
CLOTHES SWAP this Friday 28th February at Mitcham Lane Baptist Church in Furzedown! The event, in aid of Wandsworth Foodbank, promises to be a terrific social event (with cake and prosecco)!
Doors open 7pm. Bring up to 10 items of clothing, shoes, bags, accessories, unopened beauty products (no underwear or swimwear). You will be given tickets equal to the number of items you bring.
Then at 7.30pm, all the clothes will be ready to swap. You choose as many items as the number of tickets you have. It's a brilliant way to swap good-quality clothes that either no longer fit or you're tired of, and want to swap for something different – without buying anything new! The Clothes Swap already has a LOT of great clothes that people have given them in advance.
£10 entry fee, which goes to Wandsworth Foodbank. Please email admin@mlbc.org.uk for more info or to drop items off ahead of the event.
Mitcham Lane Baptist Church is located at 230 Mitcham Lane, SW16 6NT.
Join South London Swimming Club (SLSC) for a free taster session at Tooting Bec Lido this weekend!
Try out cold swimming and see what SLSC is all about.
📅 Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd March
⏰ 11am-12pm and 12pm-1pm
📍 Tooting Bec Lido, SW16 1RU
What to Bring: Swimsuit, towel and warm clothes (teas and coffees will be available afterwards)
Limited spaces available – pre-registration required via Eventbrite.
Please email info@slsc.org.uk with any queries.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Party at Holy Trinity Church, Upper Tooting (74 Trinity Rd), 4pm on Tuesday 4th March!
There'll be pancakes with delicious toppings (you’re welcome to bring your favourite toppings), “Alleluia” songs and a procession. An Alleluia sign will be buried in the ground, and a big fire will be lit to make the ash for Ash Wednesday.
The church needs need an idea of numbers to prepare the pancake mixture, so if you would like to come, please sign up here.
There'll also be a children’s Ash Wednesday Craft Service at 4pm on Wednesday 5th March. The church will give children and adults the opportunity to receive the sign of the cross in ash on their forehead if they’d like it, and spend some time reflecting, singing and crafting.
Join All Saints Church for their Mardi Gras and Jazz Vespers Pancake Party, Tuesday 4th March, 6pm-8pm! There'll be live jazz, readings, prayers, and pancake races for children.
The day after, the church will hold an Ash Wednesday Service at 7pm to mark the start of the Season of Lent.
Join TOOTING CAN, a free skill-sharing event for all ages to celebrate the skills in Tooting’s diverse community, on Saturday 15th March 2025!
Organisers Transition Town Tooting say, "Cooking, growing, sewing, singing, dancing, making or mending and more: the community of Tooting has an abundance of skills and talents which also make us stronger together.
"People of any age are welcome to share skills. You choose the duration – say from 10 minutes to an hour. You can share solo or with friends. It’s an informal day, no need to be an expert."
The event takes place on Saturday 15th March 2025, 12pm-4pm at Tooting United Reform Church, Rookstone Road, SW17 9NQ. For more info and to sign up, visit their website.
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HALF-PRICE PIZZA EVERY TUESDAY at Made in Puglia in Broadway Market Tooting!
Alberto, Gianluca and the team serve authentic Neapolitan pizza, antipasti, beer and cocktails, as well as organic wine direct from Puglia! And on Tuesdays, all pizzas are half-price!
Try their signature La Pugliese (mozzarella, capocollo, rocket and parmesan), Pancetta Bliss (mozzarella, provola, pancetta and basil) their Truffle (truffle cream, basil, parmesan, portobello mushrooms, mozzarella and truffle oil), and lots more, including several vegan and vegetarian options – see image for full menu!
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. Half-price pizza available for eat-in and takeaway only. Ts & Cs apply.
More info, booking and full menu via their website.
A fantastic new vegan menu has launched at Ming's Cuisine on Balham High Road! Featuring many of their most popular dishes, but using the very latest & highest quality plant-based alternatives instead of meat, fish and seafood, the team at Ming's are proud to offer their first ever specific 100% plant-based menu.
Owners Anna & Eric tell us, "Our exciting new Vegan menu features dishes made with tofu and mushrooms, or with Asian imitation meats, fish and seafood made from bean proteins and other plant-based ingredients, using only the highest-quality produce.
“Our brilliant chefs from Hong Kong and Shanghai have carefully devised our new plant-based menu, featuring a whole range of regional flavours, suitable for vegans and vegetarians – and we think meat-lovers will really enjoy them too!"
Dishes on the menu (all pictured) include, Signature Vegan Sweet & Sour 'Chicken'; Vegan Crispy Shredded 'Beef'; Stir-fried Vegan 'lamb' with cumin and chilli; Sliced Vegan 'fish' in sizzling chilli oil; Hand-shredded king oyster mushroom; Sichuan Veg dumpling in chilli oil; Signature Fried Rice (Vegan protein)…& many more besides!
The independent, family-run Ming's Cuisine serves authentic cuisine from Hong Kong & Shanghai, and has proved incredibly popular amongst locals since opening late last summer, with brilliant Google reviews!
To see the main menu and book a table at Ming's Cuisine, visit their website, text / call 020 7018 6800, or pop in at 191 Balham High Road. Open 7 days a week from noon.
Due to ever-increasing demand, the 'Buy One Steak, Get One FREE' offer every Tuesday & Wednesday at Tooting French bistro & steak house, Bordelaise has been extended until the end of March!
If you'd like to take advantage of this offer, capacity is limited, so book a table early to avoid disappointment! You can reserve a table via their website at bordelaise.co.uk
The quality of their food and service has seen Bordelaise win a prestigious Diner Choice award, and Oliv & the team will be keeping you warm this March with their classic steaks, duck breast, Sunday roasts & more, including lots of vegan options available too!
To book a table at Bordelaise, visit their website at bordelaise.co.uk. Bordelaise is located in Broadway Market Tooting, open Tuesday-Sunday.
A premises licence to hold a single two-day country music family-friendly event on Tooting Common for up to 6,000 people per day is being applied for by Enable, who manage a portfolio of public services on behalf of Wandsworth Council. Licensable hours would be 12pm–10:30pm on Saturday and 12pm–10pm on Sunday. The license will be valid for one summertime weekend only.
Enable says, "The event, Country on the Common, would be a family-friendly country and Americana music festival on Tooting Common, delivered as part of Wandsworth’s London Borough of Culture 2025 programme. The event would be a celebration of country, roots, folk, blues and associated “Americana” music genres, aimed at family audiences and music lovers from Wandsworth and beyond.
"Country on the Common, as with all such events in the LBOC programme will be inclusive, catered for all ages and abilities, and open to all."
More info, including details of two public consultation events in March, here.
REFURBISHING IN TOOTING – The Antelope at 76 Mitcham Road has closed their doors for a massive refurbishment, and will re-open on Thursday 10th April. See The Antelope’s website for details and updates!
The two new lifts at Tooting station are now fully open, following the completion of the work in January, and subsequent final testing.
Each new lift provides step-free access to each platform from the main entrance of the station and down to platform level. In addition, new CCTV cameras have been installed to enhance the security of the station, as well as widening footways. There's also a wide ticket gate for wheelchair users and people with pushchairs.
Full info via Network Rail.
Shockwave therapy – fantastic for relieving chronic pain in your body's joints – is now available at Tooting's Instant Physio!
Ed of Instant Physio tells us, "Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that helps to relieve chronic pain in the elbow, shoulder, and heel.
"It works by delivering high-energy sound waves through the skin to stimulate injured or painful tissues, promoting healing and reducing discomfort. This treatment is effective for conditions like tennis elbow, rotator cuff injuries, and plantar fasciitis, accelerating recovery with minimal downtime."
Book your free discovery session at Instant Physio, 261 Balham High Road (opposite the Sewing Shop) in Tooting Bec – call them on 020 3488 2698, or leave an enquiry at instantphysio.co.uk now. Open Monday-Thursday 8am-8pm, Friday 8am-4pm and Saturday 8am-12pm.
Exciting News from Pilates Republic in Tooting! Tooting resident Sandra, founder of Pilates Republic, is expanding the mat class schedule with two new sessions at Tooting Works at 89 Bickersteth Road, both starting early March:
• Tuesdays, 12.45pm: a 45-minute lunchtime Pilates Mat class, taught by Sandra. Monthly cost is £55.
• Wednesdays, 7pm: a 55-minute evening Mat class, taught by Sandra’s colleague Carolyn. Monthly cost is £66.
Sandra tells us: “We're looking for 10-12 people for each class who want to tackle aches and pains, improve their technique or start from scratch, and feel stronger and more mobile in their bodies."
"Why choose Pilates Republic?
• Build strength while improving flexibility
• Move better, feel better—improve posture, balance & mobility
• Small, welcoming classes for personalised attention
• A supportive space to reconnect with your body & mind."
There’s plenty going on at Pilates Republic alongside these new classes:
• Thursday morning mat classes – 7am & 8am at Tooting Works
• Friday lunchtime mat classes – 12pm & 12:50pm at Tooting Works
Plus, Sandra is co-hosting a deep-dive Pilates & fermented foods workshop at the end of April! Watch out for this and other workshops and retreats later in the year. Interested? If so, sign up to Sandra’s mailing list via her website.
Sandra also runs private sessions & group equipment classes at her fully equipped Tooting studio for those seeking a more tailored approach.
For more info & bookings, visit www.pilatesrepublic.co.uk
20% OFF carpet and upholstery cleaning in Tooting, with local business Southshine Carpet Cleaning (see below)!
Looking to refresh your carpets or upholstery? Southshine Carpet Cleaning offers expert steam cleaning, upholstery cleaning, and stain removal – all designed to bring your home back to life!
Southshine offers:
• Affordable Rates – High-quality cleaning at prices that won’t break the bank.
• Eco-friendly, Safe Products – Southshine uses non-toxic, eco-friendly solutions for a safer home environment.
• Fast, Efficient Service – Quick and thorough, Southshine works around your schedule to minimise disruption.
• Local, Reliable Team – Southshine take pride in their friendly, dependable service.
With a growing list of happy customers across Tooting, Southshine are offering 20% OFF to all new customers until 28th February 2025! For a free quote or to book an appointment, call Southshine on 07389186461 today, quoting 'NEWSIE' to claim your 20% off!
Tooting-based arts and crafts re-use charity Work and Play Scrapstore has announced the appointment of senior business leader Janes Bates as the new Chair of Trustees, a voluntary role.
A Scrapstore spokesperson says, "Jane joins at a pivotal time for Scrapstore, as it undergoes a major digital transformation project. The increased use of technology and automation across the organisation will streamline the charity’s systems and processes and offer what’s expected of a modern-day customer experience.
"With 30 years commercial experience working across supply chain and sustainability roles, Jane will lead the six-strong board of trustees and take the charity forward with a plan to expand revenue, deliver commercial value and build corporate resilience."
Jane adds, "It’s a privilege to be part of a wonderful charity with such an admirable ethos, fantastic volunteer support and the potential of such an exciting future.
"I would hope to bring a combination of leadership, collaboration, strategy, commerciality, motivational style, and sustainability expertise and grow the circular economy together."
Jane is an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) / sustainability and supply chain expert, as she's been Director of Procurement and Sustainability at Parkdean Resorts, the UK's largest holiday park operator, for the last five years. Jane
also has experience as a school governor.
The Scrapstore is located on the Hazelhurst Estate, 13 Blackshaw Road, SW17 0DA. Call 020 8682 4216, email info@workandplayscrapstore.org.uk or visit their website to find out more.
There were fun and games at Furzedown FACE’s charity quiz night on Saturday, which raised over £2,500 for local charities in a packed venue at Graveney School!
Wandsworth Council Leader Simon Hogg opened the night with the prize-winning Heads & Tails game, which was followed by eight quirky quiz rounds, including 'Sue’s Silly Round' and a 'Name that Tune' with live music!
The quiz was a close-run thing, with 'The Gulf of Furzedown' emerging as the winning team!
The quiz raised awareness of local charities Learn to Love to Read, The Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Service room at Tooting's St George’s Hospital, and the South London Motor Neurone Disease Association. There was also a short film on The Furzedown Project (an activity centre and social hub for people aged 50 and over) produced by Ethan, a Year 9 Graveney School student.
The night was sponsored by Aspire Estate Agents, and prizes were supplied by local businesses including Howden Insurance Tooting, Urban Wine and Rick's Dining Room.
Furzedown FACE have more fund-raising events planned for 2025, including their ever-popular Garden Gig in July! See https://www.furzedown-face.org.uk for more info.
Adel has opened M.C. Sims, a traditional Maltese 🇲🇹 bakery at 82 Mitcham Road (where Tequila Mockingbird was previously located), serving handmade and freshly baked pastizzi, pies, cakes, pizza, wraps, pasta bakes, tea, coffee, smoothies and more!
Open 6am-9pm Monday to Saturday, and 7am-7pm Sunday for eat-in and takeaway. Vegetarian, vegan and halal options available.
Today is their soft launch, ahead of their Grand Opening tomorrow, Thursday 27th February, at 10am – all welcome!
More info at instagram.com/m.c.sims_london
Congratulations and good luck to Adel and the team!
Flor de Samba, a Brazilian 🇧🇷 restaurant and bar, has opened in Broadway Market Tooting, (where Taste Factory was previously located), serving dishes such as pastels, feijoada, espetinho and more!
Open for eat-in and takeaway, delivery to come. Find them near the Longmead Road entrance of the market. Check instagram.com/flordesamba1 for more details and opening hours.
Congratulations and good luck to the team!
COMING SOON TO TOOTING – Nutbrook, a boutique residential development company, is to open at 28 Trinity Road. More info at nutbrookproperty.com
We love a ghost sign, and this Hovis one on Upper Tooting Road is a Tooting classic! How many other ghost signs do you know in the area (we can think of a few!)?
Rainy skies led to a beautiful rainbow over Tooting on Wednesday! Who else caught it?
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