Balham Newsie Weekly Newsletter
The Furzedown Farmers' Market returns, a new shawarma take-away coming soon, Fun Dog Show this weekend, BYOB at local restaurant, community litter pick and much more!
The fantastic Furzedown Farmer's Market returns THIS SATURDAY 6th JUNE, 9.30am–1.30pm – with a jumble sale and a face painter too!
The popular monthly market take places at Penwortham Primary School, and will feature a brilliant mix of local food, produce, crafts, gifts, and LOTS of children’s items - all your favourite traders, and a few new ones too!
The market will also host also host a mini jumble sale in the playground with lots of pre loved items at very low prices!
The much-loved, diverse market is a fantastic place to enjoy a Saturday morning / lunchtime. Grab a coffee, something delicious for brunch / lunch, pick up fresh bits for the home, and enjoy browsing and shopping!
Dogs are very welcome and there’ll be live music & vibes throughout from South London Vinyl Experience!
As well as this Saturday, the Market takes place on the first Saturday of every month, with the next date being Saturday 4th July.
Furzedown Farmers’ Market is located at Penwortham School, Penwortham Road, SW16 6RJ – just down the road from Tooting and Balham!
The annual Fun Dog Show on Tooting Common will take place this Sunday 7th June with dog registration beginning at 1pm and the show starting at 2pm! 🐕🦺🐩
There are 10 different classes to enter, costing £3 per entry per class.
The show will take place in the events area east of Dr Johnson Avenue car park, behind the changing rooms.
For more information, email fotcinformation@gmail.com
Join local community group Beautify Balham this Saturday 6th June for their monthly litter pick!
Meet behind Sainsbury’s Balham at Bedford Hill Place at 11am. Gloves, litter pickers and bags will be provided.
Beautify Balham works with local residents and businesses to help make Balham greener, cleaner and even more beautiful!
The events schedule is ramping up at We Are House of Ora in Tooting! Here’s what’s in store over the coming days:
FRIDAY 5TH JUNE — SALSA NIGHT 💃
- An evening of Latin rhythms, dancing and cocktails as Ora transforms for a vibrant Salsa experience.
- 8pm-1.30am
- Tickets £13 on the door
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SATURDAY 6TH JUNE — JUST GLAM PARTY ✨
- A night dedicated to glamour, music and pure celebration. Dress to impress.
- DM We Are House of Ora on Instagram for bookings & tables. 🥂
- 8pm-2am
- Free entry until 10pm then £10 for the rest of the evening!
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Enquiries: info@houseofora.co.uk
House of ORA is located at 48A Mitcham Rd, Tooting Broadway, SW17 9NA
To celebrate the Great Big Green Week, Balham Library will host a PLANT SWAP on Saturday, 13th June, from 2pm - 5pm.
Drop off a plant, stay for a craft, chat to local eco groups Balham Climate Action and Beautify Balham and take a new plant home!
In the meantime, think about whether you have any plants in your garden or balcony for propagating or full swaps.
All ages welcome!
Sales Property Of The Week from Keating Estates, Balham: “A smartly presented two bedroom, two bathroom apartment with access to well-maintained residents’ grounds, set within a contemporary gated development on Old Devonshire Road in the heart of Balham.
“This particular apartment is favourable positioned away from the bustle of Cavendish Road to the far side of the building and offers peace of mind with high energy efficiency and a well-kept environment throughout. A new water tank and pump were installed in 2022, further enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the home.”
For full info, visit their website www.keatingestates.com, visit the team at 61 Bedford Hill, email balham@keatingestates.com or call 020 8079 3161.
A 6-Week Wheel Throwing Course is launching Social Pottery on Tuesday 9th June – the perfect opportunity to properly learn the art of wheel throwing from scratch!
Taking place every Tuesday evening at 6:30pm, the course is ideal for complete beginners and will take you on a journey from your very first spin at the potter’s wheel through to crafting your own bowls, cylinders and more – guided every step of the way by Social Pottery’s super-friendly and experienced tutors.
Over the 6 weeks you can expect to:
- Get hands-on at the potter’s wheel each session
- Learn proper techniques and build confidence with clay
- Create multiple pieces to take home
- Enjoy the therapeutic and creative process of wheel throwing
- Meet fellow pottery enthusiasts in a relaxed, sociable studio environment
The course costs £260 per person and no prior experience is needed – just bring your enthusiasm and creativity!
The 6 Week Course will run every couple of months, so if the June start date doesn’t work for you, keep an eye out for future dates!
Social Pottery also run regular one-off wheel throwing taster sessions and pottery painting experiences throughout the week – perfect if you’d like to try before committing to the full course.
To book your place on the 6 Week Wheel Throwing Course or find out more, pop into their beautiful studio or visit their website here.
Social Pottery Balham is located at 7 Station Parade, Balham High Road, SW12 9AZ.
Balham businesses! Are you looking for practical marketing support but feeling overwhelmed by it all?
If so, Balham-based CoLab Marketers has got your back! Their team is growing and they’re thrilled to introduce their newest team member, Kirsty (pictured here with founders Alex and Lottie). 👋
Co-founder Alex tells us more:
“As a small and mighty team, we don’t act like a distant agency. We embed ourselves right alongside founders to simplify your marketing and take the pressure off. Kirsty joining means we now have the capacity to partner with a few more businesses who want sustainable results without the complexity.
“We’re passionate about our local community, and Kirsty’s arrival means we can provide dedicated, hands-on support to more founders who know they need marketing but simply don’t have the time or headspace to do it themselves.”
CoLab Marketers offer customised, ongoing support including:
⭐️ Marketing strategy & planning
⭐️ Hands-on campaign execution
⭐️ Content creation (socials, email, website)
Ready to hand over your marketing stress?
Book a free 30-minute discovery call by emailing info@colabmarketers.com or visit their website here.
New spaces are available for online coaching with local personal trainer The Fitness Huns!
Founder Phoebe tells us more:
“I offer beginner-friendly fitness coaching designed to help you feel stronger, healthier, and more confident - without toxic fitness culture, pressure, or needing a gym membership.
“Whether you’re completely new to fitness, getting back into movement, or wanting support and accountability, my coaching meets you where you’re at. I'm all about having fun on your fitness journey, it never has to be too serious!
"My online coaching includes:
💖 Tailored training plans
💖 Support & accountability
💖 Gym or home workouts
💖 Nutrition guidance available
💖 Habits that last beyond the coaching period
"It’s a a welcoming, judgement-free space full of support. All you need is a willingness to give it a go.
You don't have to be good at it, you just have to start.”
Limited coaching spaces available.
For more info, or to secure your place, visit their website here.
BYOB every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at Indian Room Balham!
Indian Room have extended their very popular BYOB offer to 3 days a week, so that you can bring your favourite wine or beer with you to their restaurant (total corkage charge just £3pp), to enjoy alongside their superb Indian food!
The award-winning Indian Room prides itself on making their cuisine as healthy as possible, without compromising on taste. All dishes are prepared without using ghee and therefore, relatively low fat. They don’t use any artificial colourings, all meat is British bred from a farm down in Devonshire and only the freshest, seasonal vegetables are used in their cooking.
Located at 59 Bedford Hill, Indian Room offers a menu packed full of delicious starters, main dishes & sides from across the different regions of India. Most vegetarian dishes can be made vegan on request and they also cater for those with special dietary requirements.
To book a table, or order online, visit their website at indianroom.co.uk
Andrea from AK Acupuncture is proud to announce she has been shortlisted for the Wandsworth Business Innovation Award 2026. She tells us more:
“I’m really excited to share that my ear acupuncture and acupressure wellness initiatives have been shortlisted!”
“These initiatives are designed to support corporate and community wellbeing by bringing the benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine into accessible spaces to improve physical and mental health. I’ve already seen great success, with benefits felt from the first session—including reduced stress, anxiety and burnout, as well as improved focus, energy levels and overall wellbeing.”
Andrea explains why ear acupuncture is an effective alternative for mental health:
“The NADA ear acupuncture protocol I use has been around for 50 years and is backed by research. By placing 5 micro needles in each ear for 20–40 minutes, it has been used to treat burnout, depression, anxiety, insomnia, addiction, PTSD, menopausal symptoms and chemotherapy side effects.
“I understand that medication or traditional talk therapy isn’t for everyone. Some people feel uncomfortable taking pills or discussing their problems with a stranger, even when they know they need support.
“This is where ear acupuncture can help. It’s a non-verbal practice where you simply rest while the treatment works—helping release tension and negative emotions, leaving people feeling relaxed, lighter and more energised. This makes it ideal for private, group or workplace settings.”
“If your organisation’s wellbeing strategy needs a meaningful boost, I’d love for you to get in touch. I offer flexible packages tailored to different needs and budgets.”
Alongside this work, Andrea also offers full body acupuncture for chronic conditions, mental health, period health, pregnancy care and menopause support in her private practice in Balham.
For more information, visit her website here.
A new shawarma take-away will be opening soon at 210 Balham High Road, under the train bridge.
Expect fresh chicken shawarma, loaded fries, and more.
We'll keep you posted once we know the opening date.
Whether you’re recovering from illness, managing a health condition, or wanting to stay strong and independent as you age, Reach4Fitness offers specialist 1-1 rehabilitation-focused personal training tailored to your needs — and Balham Newsie readers get 50% OFF their first session! Details below 👇
Founder Artur has over 25 years of experience in personal training, with the last decade specialising in rehabilitation exercise programmes supporting recovery, long-term health conditions, and overall wellbeing.
He has worked on community health programmes alongside organisations including Wandsworth Council and Places for People, supporting cancer rehabilitation, mental health recovery, obesity and diabetes support, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, falls prevention, GP referral schemes, and exercise for older adults.
Artur tells us more:
“Exercise should feel safe, supportive, and tailored to the individual. My goal is to help people improve their confidence, mobility, independence, and overall quality of life, whatever stage they’re at.
“I work with clients managing a wide range of conditions including cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, cancer recovery, chronic back pain, obesity and diabetes support, falls prevention, menopause transition, mental health rehabilitation, and exercise support for older adults.
“Every programme is personalised around the individual’s needs — whether that’s recovering from illness, rebuilding confidence after surgery, managing a long-term condition, or simply wanting to move and feel better day-to-day.
“My approach combines evidence-based rehabilitation exercise with patience, compassion, and realistic support that fits into everyday life.”
Reach4Fitness offers a free, no-obligation chat to discuss your situation and whether specialist support may be suitable for you.
As a special offer for Balham Newsie followers, DM “Rehabilitation” to Artur Reach4Fitness to receive 50% off your first session (limited spaces available).
For more info, visit his website here.
Have your say on how Tooting Commons should be run - join the Tooting Commons Management Advisory Committee (TCMAC) Annual Public Meeting on Wednesday 24th June, 7pm-8.30pm, at Woodfield Pavilion, 16a Abbotswood Road, SW16 1AP.
This is an opportunity for users of the Tooting Commons to hear about the work of the Committee and take part in discussion with Committee members and those responsible for managing the Commons.
Representatives of Enable Leisure and Culture, and the Parks and Events Police, will be present to address questions and comments about their work. In addition, the meeting will elect a new Committee for 2026-27.
The meeting offers an opportunity for local residents and users of the Commons to voice their opinions, ask questions and contribute to the future of the Commons.
All welcome and attendance is free.
TCMAC is an official body set up by the London Borough of Wandsworth to advise it on its care of two commons: Tooting Bec Common and Tooting Graveney Common.
TCMAC is an annually elected body of 24 representing nearby residents together with local societies, groups and clubs. Everybody is welcome to their meetings.
TCMAC is the official voice representing users of the Tooting Commons to help ensure that they are suitably cared for and protected.
For more information regarding the meeting, and the Committee, please email: tootingcmac@gmail.com
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