Tooting Newsie Weekly Newsletter
Loads of community and family events, new openings, food and drink deals, Careers Connect Fest for 18-30 year olds, and lots more in Tooting!
The Furzedown Fun Day is BACK this Saturday, 14th June, noon to 6pm!
Head to the Furzedown Rec for a fabulous family day out for the whole community, with fantastic local independent stalls, great food, live music, dance, sports, children’s activities, drumming, a bouncy castle and more – plus Riverside Radio will be broadcasting live throughout the event!
This year’s event is part of the London Borough of Culture programme, so organisers Furzedown Community Network will be working with Wandsworth Council and Enable Leisure to bring you a brilliant family day out!
Find out more via Furzedown Community Network.
Furzedown Rec is located on Ramsdale Road, SW17 9BP
The annual Community Fun Day on Broadwater Road in Tooting returns on Saturday 28th June, 12pm-5pm – everyone welcome!
There'll be all sorts of fun and entertainment, including a play street, games and attractions, food, craft activities, rides, health advice and a range of stalls.
Local community and charity organisations will also be there, including some amazing community heroes such as Transition Town Tooting, Tooting Works, Business Launchpad, Work and Play Scrapstore, and Ronald Mcdonald House Tooting.
The event is a collaboration between Balham and Tooting Community Association (BATCA), Al-Risalah Education Trust, and St Augustine's Church.
Wandsworth Arts Fringe officially launched last week at Sambrook's Brewery in Wandsworth! Wandsworth’s new mayor, Cllr Jeremy Ambache, and the Deputy Youth Mayor Sophia Dyson, opened the event, and there were appearances from some of the many performers in the 180 events taking place across 65 venues over the next 17 days!
To find out more and to see what's on, visit the Wandsworth Arts Fringe website.
Are you a parent or carer of a child under 8 in Wandsworth? Ready, Steady, Go is a FREE information sharing event for families of under 8's, taking place at the Civic Suite, Wandsworth Town Hall on Wednesday 18th June, 10am-2pm.
All families with under 8's are welcome to drop in and find out about numerous services across Wandsworth that provide information, advice and support on a range of issues, including nursery funding and childcare, school places, special needs and disabilities and support in claiming benefits, to name but a few.
There will be over 30 services attending, as well as refreshments, a soft play area, free books and a balloon entertainer for under 5's. Families can also win one of 4 £50 vouchers by turning up and sharing their email address.
To book your free place, visit their Eventbrite page, or email admin@sendpcwandsworth.org.uk for more info.
Are you aged 18-30 and thinking about future employment? Then join the FREE Careers Connect Fest in Tooting on Wednesday 18th June!
The event, hosted by Business Launchpad and Tooting Works, promises a high-impact experience to help prepare you for the world of work.
What’s on offer:
• Interactive Employability Workshops
• Panel Discussions with Industry Professionals
• Mock Interviews with Real Employers
• Business Coaching & Skills Development
• Networking Opportunities with Local Businesses
Organisers are targeting young people in Wandsworth, aged 18-30, including those who are not currently in education and are looking for employment or training.
The event takes place at Tooting Works, 89 Bickersteth Road, SW17 9SH. Sign up via Business Launchpad.
Street Food Market at Totterdown Street Market this weekend – with lots more events coming up in June!
This Saturday and Sunday, 10am-3.30pm, enjoy a mouth-watering selection of food vendors, including Harvey’s Breakfast Club, Culinary Canvas (South East Asian food), tea traders Le Chai, Sapphire Kitchen serving Nigerian cuisine, plus cake and pastry traders, and much more!
Coming up later in June – join the Windrush Celebration Weekend on June 21st–22nd, honouring culture, heritage, and community with a vibrant weekend of celebration, family fun, crafts, games, food and more!
And look out for the Secret Teacup Pop-Up + Weekend Market on 28th–29th June – see their Eventbrite page for more info and booking!
Follow @totterdownstreetmarket (Instagram) for the full schedule and updates.
The next Mega Skip Day takes place from 9am this Saturday 14th June, 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:
• Brodrick Road, SW17 7DY
• Longley Road, SW17 9LE
• Woodspring Road, SW19 6PL
• Prairie Street, SW8 3PL
• Festing Road, SW15 1LW
• Putney Vale - By 14 to 44 Frensham Drive, SW15 3EB
• Fitzhugh - Car park area in front of Gernigan House, SW18 3SG
More info, including details of what you can bring and when the skips will be open, via Wandsworth Council.
Chuk, of Homes With Chuk, has another local home to sell! He tells us:
"This spacious double bedroom apartment on Streatham Road is presented in excellent order (I love what the seller has done with the decor!). You have a private balcony which is accessible from both the bedroom AND the reception.
“It's spacious....560 sq ft is pretty generous for a 1 bed apartment! You also have a wonderful communal garden, and the flat has the added benefit of an allocated space in the secure underground car park. If you don't drive, there's also a secure cycle rack so you don't have to carry your bike upstairs to your flat!”
Leasehold | Offers over £325,000
Contact Chuk for more info and to book a viewing! Email chuk.agudosi@theagencyuk.com, call 020 8092 0200, or pop into Tooting Works at 89 Bickersteth Road and ask for him at reception!
Chuk Agudosi is an independent local property advisor, in partnership with The Agency UK.
Congratulations to Tooting resident, tour guide, and writer, Saira Niazi, on the publication of her new book, "Renegade Guides: The Places We Go, The Stories We Share." The book explores how inclusive, community-rooted tours can uncover overlooked stories and help us connect more deeply with the places we live.
Saira started out by running tours in Tooting a few years ago, showing people places like the Tooting Bingo Hall, the markets, the Sewing Machine Museum, Hestia Age Activity Centre, the Scrapstore and the Be Enriched Tooting Canteen.
Saira tells us more: "Towards the end of 2024, during a highly contentious election season, I spent two months in the US (New York and San Francisco) developing a research project on tour guiding. Attending various walking tours and community events, exploring hidden gems and local neighbourhoods and interviewing renegade guides, organisers and storytellers from all walks of life, I sought answers to the pressing questions that prompted my journey. What makes a tour? Who decides which stories get shared? How can we better support our communities?
"As part of my research, I spoke to fellow Tooting guides and friends, Geoff Simmons and Dipa Patel about their work sharing Tooting's special places and stories with locals and visitors alike."
You can find out more and purchase a physical copy of Saira's book – or download a free digital copy – via her website.
And keep an eye on her website for details of writing courses that Saira will be running in the next few months!
The first Queer LitFest – part of the Furzedown LitFest – took place last Sunday, 8th June, at The Furzedown Project on Moyser Road.
The afternoon filled with fantastic queer literature and was well supported by the local community – so much so that there was only standing room available at times.
The event kicked off with Elizabeth Lovatt in conversation with Hugo Greenhalgh about the importance of being heard — a theme that runs through both of their recent books, which explore how people seek connection.
Elizabeth Lovatt’s debut book, Thank You for Calling the Lesbian Line, draws on stories of queer support and solidarity, inspired by the real-life Lesbian Line helpline. Hugo Greenhalgh, a journalist who played a key role in campaigning to lower the age of consent, shared the story behind The Diaries of Mr. Lucas — a heartfelt work preserving the life and memories of a diarist who lived and died in Clapham South.
Dr. Will Tosh, Head of Research at Shakespeare’s Globe, discussed queer themes in Shakespeare’s work and his book Straight Acting: The Many Queer Lives of William Shakespeare. He was interviewed by Holly James Johnston, an Oxford PhD candidate, performer, and presenter.
Jason Okundaye spoke about his acclaimed book Revolutionary Acts, a social history of Black gay men in Britain. He shared powerful oral histories of love, sex, friendship, and desire from communities in Brixton and Clapham.
The event was supported using public funding by Arts Council England, Furzedown Pride and Furzedown Community Network.
Furzedown LitFest continues on 19th September with Sandra Newman, the author of Julia (a retelling of Orwell’s 1984), will discuss the inspiration for her highly acclaimed novel. More info and tickets: www.furzedownlitfest.com
The Friends of Tooting Common's 2025 Fun Dog Show took place on Sunday 8th June, with 120 dogs entered for the different classes, and over 300 attendees!
Organisers say, “There was a great array of dogs of all shapes and sizes including male and female, puppies, veterans, rescue dogs, those with waggy tails, and excellent fancy dress and best tricks. There were also classes for junior handlers to let them demonstrate their skills. And the weather was good!
“We were very glad to be joined by the Parks Police, Wandsworth Council Animal Welfare Team, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Strays of Greece, and by Streatham Hill Vets and a number of other businesses supplying provisions and other support for dogs. We are grateful for their support and for their involvement in judging some of the classes.
“We were also very pleased to welcome the Mayor of Wandsworth, Jeremy Ambache, and are very grateful for his support and involvement in judging.”
The winners of the 10 classes were:
• Most handsome dog – Pom, Mixed Terrier, Owner Lorenzo; and Dennis, Norfolk Terrier
• Junior handler (up to 8 years) – Maisie, King Charles, handled by Ellie Cavalier
• Best Puppy (up to 18 months) – Alfie, Cocker Spaniel, Owner Katherine
• Young handler (8-16 years) - Cosmo, Black Labrador, handled by Samantha
• Prettiest Bitch – Emma, Chocolate Labrador, owner Laura; and Minnie. Cocker Spaniel, owner George
• Fancy Dress – Tara, owned by Sharon; and Bruce, owned by Gus.
• Best veteran (8+ years) – Annie, Sheltie/Sheepdog cross, owned by Carina
• Best Trick – Fudge: Cockerpoo, owned by Jessica
• Best Rescue dog – Uno, owned by Hannah.
• Waggiest Tail - Benjie, Cocker Spaniel, owned by Olina
Find out more about Friends of Tooting Common via their website.
Want to know when the next bus is due (and where it is)? The Live London Bus Map displays buses and their stops on the London bus or river bus network in approximately real time – you can type a route number to go straight there in the list (displayed here are local buses G1, 44, 77 and 270).
The map was created by programmer Matthew Somerville, who has also created live maps of the London Underground, your nearest cashpoint, and more. Further info via his website.
More than 750 Wandsworth residents have helped uncover the hidden biodiversity of the borough’s gardens, with the findings informing the development of a new Biodiversity Action Plan.
The survey has revealed how private gardens are playing a vital role in supporting local wildlife. Residents submitted their sightings and garden features, helping to clarify the quality and connectivity of garden habitats.
The survey results have been brought to life through an interactive map. You can now explore where garden wildlife is flourishing and how your contributions are part of a larger borough-wide ecosystem:
More info, including a link to the interactive map, via Wandsworth Council.
SPONSORED CONTENT
BOTTOMLESS SUNDAYS at Tooting Turkish restaurant Broadway BBQ in Broadway Market Tooting! Choose from a starter, a main, and unlimited prosecco, wine or beer for 90 minutes for just £30 per person!
The menu features some of their most popular dishes, including chicken or Adana skewers, sea bass, halloumi and falafel, and more (see menu in images for details)!
Manager, Zozy, tells us, "join us on Sundays for some amazing food, bottomless drinks, and a fantastic atmosphere – we can't wait to welcome you!"
Call 020 4537 3824 or DM @broadway.bbq on Instagram to book!
Bottomless Sundays take place every Sunday, 12pm-8pm (dine-in only), until further notice.
Find Broadway BBQ near the Longmead Road entrance of Broadway Market. Open 11.30am-10.30pm Tuesday to Thursday, 11.30am-11pm Friday and Saturday, and 11.30am-9.30pm Sunday. More info and full menu via instagram.com/broadway.bbq
DONER & A DRINK FOR JUST £5 at German Doner Kebab (GDK), 225 Upper Tooting Road, every Monday to Thursday, 12pm-5pm! Choose from GDK’s OG JR or Veggie JR – and a drink of your choice – for just £5!
GDK serves gourmet kebabs using lean beef and chicken fillets, which are all imported directly from Germany to maintain quality and consistency. They only use fresh vegetables, sourced as locally as possible, that are delivered and prepared daily, along with their special "Doner Kebab" bread. All food is halal, and vegetarian options are available.
Ts and Cs apply. Open 11am-11pm Sunday-Wednesday, and 11am-2am Thursday-Saturday. Offer valid on eat-in and takeaway only at German Doner Kebab, 225 Upper Tooting Road, London SW17 7TG. Offer ongoing until further notice – check in-store for details.
To celebrate World Gin Day this Saturday 14th June, Hayman's Gin’s Distillery in Balham have a very SPECIAL OFFER – pop along 12-5pm for a delicious gin cocktail or two to celebrate, and leave with 2 FREE G&T glasses when you buy a 70cl bottle of their London Dry Gin! There's also 15% OFF at their Distillery shop to stock up on all your favourite gins!
There's no need to book – simply turn up & bring your friends!
Their 'Summer Sessions' will also take place on Thursdays 19th June & 24th July, from 5-9pm – all welcome!
You'll find Hayman's Gin Distillery located at 8 Weir Road, SW12 0GT, just 8 minutes walk from Balham town centre! You can find out more details on their website.
Due to licensing, they are a working Distillery and cannot allow access to under 18s (including babies) or pets.
Tooting and Balham Sea Cadets are looking for new recruits!
The Cadets are recruiting new members across all age groups and roles:
• Junior Sea Cadets (ages 9–11)
• Sea Cadets (ages 12–17)
• Uniformed Volunteer Instructors (ages 18+) – full training & uniform provided
• Unit Management Team (ages 18+) – help shape the future of the cadets
Whether you're a young person looking for adventure or an adult wanting to get involved in the community, there’s a place for everyone.
Based on the traditions and values of today’s Royal Navy, Tooting and Balham Sea Cadets offer all sorts of activities, both on the water and ashore. From sailing and kayaking to first aid, drill, and community projects, cadets gain skills for life in a supportive and friendly environment.
📍 89 Mellison Road, Tooting, SW17 9AS
📅 Tuesdays and Fridays 7.15pm- 9pm
Email Tootingbalham@aol.com to find out more or to arrange a visit.
Calling all local businesses! Wandsworth Care Alliance (WCA), a local charity supporting community wellbeing, has launched a newsletter!
The Doing Good in Wandsworth Newsletter aims to build powerful partnerships between businesses and local voluntary organisations, creating a stronger, more connected community.
The newsletter spotlights opportunities for businesses to give back and get involved, while also strengthening their brand and engaging their employees.
Whether it’s through sponsorship, team volunteering, pro-bono support, or strategic partnerships, there are endless ways for businesses to get involved and make a measurable difference.
For more info and to subscribe, visit their website.
Wandsworth Care Alliance supports the local voluntary and community sector, promotes health and wellbeing, and works to ensure local voices are heard. Learn more on their website.
Popeyes Chicken has opened at 47 Mitcham Road, serving Louisiana style chicken, sides, shakes, drinks, desserts, breakfast and more.
Open 8am-11pm Monday to Sunday for eat-in, takeaway and delivery. Veggie options available, and all food is halal. More info and full menu via their website.
Congratulations and good luck to Masuma, Irishel, and the team!
Tooting Broadway pre-1926 before the tube arrived! The photo would have been taken in or after 1911, as that's when the statue of King Edward VII was erected (seen in its original position on the right of the picture).
Tooting was recorded as Totinge in 675 and Totinge in the Domesday Book. From c.1082 it comprised two manors – that of Upper Tooting and Tooting Bec, held in 1086 by the Abbey of St Mary of Bec in Normandy, and Tooting Bec is so named. The Broadway in Tooting Broadway refers to a large open space (not so much now though)!
Tooting is derived from a personal name of the Saxon Tota and the old English place name word ending 'ing.' – literally, 'the people who lived at'. Tooting therefore means, 'the home of Tota's people.
Picture and info from "What's in a name?" by Cyril M. Harris. ISBN: 9781854142412
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