The next Henry's Artisan & Craft Market is happening this Saturday, 10th October from 9am - 3pm and there’s a FREE pumpkin scavenger hunt taking place! Pick up your sheet at Henry’s or at the market and return to Henry’s for a special treat!
You’ll find it in the second playground at Henry Cavendish School (on Hydethorpe Road, SW12 0JA), just past the weekly farmers’ market.
Expect a fantastic mix of local makers, artisan goods and one-of-a-kind finds. It’s the perfect opportunity to support small businesses and pick up something truly unique!
Something spooky is coming to Clapham South this Halloween! 👻
From 21st October until 1st November, the deep-level shelter beneath Clapham South will host its first-ever Halloween experience, taking visitors eleven floors underground and through an entrance never previously featured on the regular "Clapham South: subterranean shelter tour".
Led by expert guides, visitors will discover newly uncovered stories from the Second World War, including first-hand accounts from Londoners who sought refuge across the Underground network during some of its most difficult moments.
Visitors will also hear recorded interviews with current and former London Underground staff, sharing their own unusual experiences beneath the capital, from unexplained sounds and unexpected sightings to stories and legends passed down through generations of railway workers.
As the journey heads deeper underground, things take an eerier turn, with flickering lights, strange sounds and fleeting details beginning to emerge as different periods in the shelter’s history start to intertwine.
The tour has been developed for adult audiences, but is open to kids aged 10 and over when accompanied by an adult.
For more information, or to book a place, visit the London Transport Museum HERE.
Green Libraries Week is back this month and Balham Library is marking the week with a special community event and film screening of The People's Emergency Briefing on Thursday 22nd October.
This year’s theme is 'Climate Facts for a Greener Future: Navigating Mis- and Disinformation in Libraries'.
The evening will begin with an introduction to some of the local environmental groups working in the area, giving residents a chance to find out more about their work and ways to get involved in positive action to help make Balham and Wandsworth greener.
Doors open at 5.45pm, with the screening beginning at 6pm. The screening is for those aged 16+.
The event is free, but booking is essential via Eventbrite.
For more information, contact Balham Library on 0208 673 1129 or email Balham.Library@gll.org
The Balham Boxing Club is hosting its first 'Open Boxing Tournament' of the season on Saturday 31st October.
Doors open at 2:30pm and the boxing commences at 3pm.
The event will take place at the boxing club, which is located at 366 Cavendish Road (at the Tooting Triangle playground).
Tickets are £15 for adults and £8 for under 17s - paid in cash at the door.
The Balham Boxing Club is a community-focused boxing club that anyone from aged 5 to 75+ can go to and get/keep fit in a fun setting and learn a new skill, taught by very experienced trainers.
Madder Mill Molly are hosting their Sunday Molly Dance practice in Balham on Sunday 11th October, from 12:30pm – 4pm at St Mary's Balham.
The monthly sessions are ideal for those who can’t make the group’s shorter weekly practices in Carshalton. New dancers and musicians are both welcome, with no experience necessary, just a willingness to learn.
Madder Mill Molly is a mixed-gender Molly dance group welcoming new members to discover this vibrant and creative dance tradition through its monthly Balham practices. The group ranges in age from 30 to 81, with a shared passion for keeping this unique art form alive.
Molly dancing is a lively, theatrical style rooted in the old ploughboy customs of East Anglia. Unlike more traditional Morris dancing, Molly dancers embrace bold disguises rather than bells, hankies or sticks.
Madder Mill Molly is a non-profit group and performs at community events throughout the year.
To reserve a spot, email info@maddermolly.co.uk or visit their website HERE.
Walk-ins are also welcome!
Sales Property Of The Week from Keating Estates, Balham: “A beautiful three-bedroom, two-bathroom end-of-terrace Victorian maisonette, offering over 1,100 square feet of wonderfully versatile accommodation across two floors, with a private entrance and secluded garden, occupying a particularly attractive corner position on Santley Street, ideally positioned between Clapham and Brixton with an array of amenities in every direction.
“From the moment you step inside, the home has an inviting sense of warmth and character......”
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.
Balham mums, this one’s for you! 👶 Getting back into training after having a baby is hard enough without being thrown into a bootcamp and told to “push through”. So FitnessWorks Balham has launched a Mums Small Group PT, where your baby comes with you!
Sessions are led by Scarlet, a pre- and postnatal specialist with five years’ experience, who is also a mum herself.
Scarlet has designed the programme to focus on gradually rebuilding core and pelvic floor strength, as well as overall strength and fitness, with exercises adapted to suit each individual.
How it works:
✔️ Max 4 mums per session, allowing Scarlet to coach everyone’s form and adapt exercises individually
✔️ 50-minute sessions, scheduled mid-morning around typical nap times
✔️ Babies come too. Expect a room full of them, and feeding or settling mid-session is completely normal
✔️ Suitable from 6 weeks postpartum, following a GP or midwife check
✔️ C-section recovery? Your programme is modified to suit you.
✔️ No previous experience needed, and all equipment is provided
Alongside the training, FitnessWorks Balham hopes the small-group format will offer local mums the chance to meet others at a similar stage.
Spaces are limited!
To register your interest, visit their website HERE.
Thinking about a home improvement project this autumn or winter? Local construction company, Asllani Constructions have availability for new projects, big and small – and they’d love to help bring yours to life. Check out these wonderful examples of their recent work!
From a bespoke kitchen designed entirely around you, to a loft conversion that opens up bright new living space, clever storage solutions, or a fresh look for your business or studio – Manthi and his highly-experienced team do it all.
Manthi tells us more:
“”No project is too small, and no vision is too big. We create custom solutions for every client, with every job built on detail, quality and care.”
“Our specialist services include:
- Bespoke Kitchens & Furniture – tailored designs built around your style and needs
- Carpentry & Joinery – precision woodwork for doors, wardrobes and interiors
- Flooring & Tiling – durable, stylish installations
- Painting & Decorating – seamless finishes that refresh and elevate
- Renovations, Extensions & Repairs – complete home improvements from start to finish
“Every space tells a story, and we combine traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques to get your home or business exactly how you want it – delivering results that last. – and make you very happy!
To find out more or book a free quote, call or text Manthi on 07903 208 450, email manthos09@icloud.com
A much-loved part of Balham family life for over 8 years, The Strings Club was founded by musician and mum Amy Cunningham on a simple belief: that the school holidays should be creative, confidence-building and joyful for children.
From a small camp of just 6 children, it’s grown into a firm local favourite – but the heart of it remains exactly the same: screen-free days where children fall in love with music, make new friends, and genuinely have a brilliant time.
And it’s back this October half-term! The award-winning camp welcomes children aged 4-11 for days of engaging violin or ukulele sessions (with free instrument hire) and interactive workshops that spark creativity and confidence – all building towards a joyful Grand Concert to finish the week.
BALHAM OCTOBER HALF-TERM CAMP:
📍 Trinity St Mary’s CE Primary School, 6 Balham Park Rd, SW12 8DR (4 minutes from the tube)
📅 w/c Monday 26th October – choose the days you want, or book the full week!
🕘 9:30am-4pm or 8am-5:30pm (whatever flexibility you need)
New to The Strings Club? New customers can enjoy 10% OFF with code NEWSIE at the checkout.
For more information and to book, visit their website HERE.
Introducing the HydraFacial at FACE By Balham Studios – a complete skin treatment that cleanses, exfoliates, hydrates and rejuvenates your skin, all in one session! Watch the video to see exactly how it works. ✨
Located at 114a Balham High Road, FACE facial aesthetics clinic (under the same ownership as Balham Dental Studio next door) offer a wide range of treatments including Microneedling, Polynucleotides, Emlift, HydraFacial, PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and hair loss solutions.
FACE tell us:
“As part of the Balham Studios family, our treatments are delivered by highly skilled, medically trained professionals with an in-depth understanding of facial anatomy. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all – every journey begins with a thorough consultation to design a treatment plan unique to your goals.
“We use only premium, industry-leading products within a modern, regulated clinical environment, ensuring your safety and comfort at every step.”
To find out more or book a consultation, visit facebybalhamstudios.co.uk or pop in to meet the team.
You’ll find FACE at 114a Balham High Road, SW12 9AA.
A new takeaway / delivery offer has launched at the award-winning Indian Room Balham – running right through until October 31st!
GET 10% OFF + another £8 OFF your order + FREE poppadoms + FREE local delivery, when you order direct via their website at indianroom.co.uk
TO CLAIM: Simply use code: AUT26 at the checkout! Minimum spend £25.
Located at 59 Bedford Hill, family-run Indian Room offers a menu packed full of delicious starters, main dishes & sides.
The restaurant 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.
Most vegetarian dishes can be made vegan on request and they cater for special dietary requirements.
To order online (or book a table), visit their website at indianroom.co.uk
It’s Game Season at Balham’s Chadwick's Butchers, with partridge, pheasant, grouse, venison, boar and rabbit now in stock!
You’ll also find handmade sausages and burgers made using wild game produce too.
Family-run Chadwicks is located at 109 Balham High Road, SW12 9AP (open Monday - Saturday, 9am-5.30pm).
Local resident Fintan Blyons has launched a new app, Pub?, helping Londoners keep track of the pubs they’ve visited and discover new ones across the capital.
Fintan tells us more:
"The idea began around a year ago when I started keeping a list of every London pub I'd been to, partly to remember the good ones and partly as a challenge to find new places.
"The list kept growing, friends wanted to compare their own, and it turned into an app!
"Tick off pubs on a map of London, complete your postcode for bonus points, and start a league to see which of your mates has really been everywhere. There are 10 pubs in SW12. How many have you done?"
Pub? now puts all 2,437 London pubs on one map, allowing users to tick off those they’ve visited, log drinks and complete whole districts, such as SW12, for bonus points.
Users can also discover new pubs by filtering for features including beer gardens, live sport, food and whether they’re dog friendly.
There’s a social side too, with leaderboards and private leagues for friends, as well as a “summon the troops” feature which sends friends a notification when you’re at a pub.
If a pub is missing or any information is incorrect, users can report it through the app for Fintan to update.
Pub? is currently available for iPhone via the App Store, with an Android version coming soon. Android users can also contact Fintan for an early access link.
For more info, email fintan.lyons24@gmail.com
Local Spanish chef Pablo Montoya is launching Casa Montoya Tapas & Wine evenings – bringing authentic Spanish flavours to Brioche Cafe on Station Parade (opposite St Mary’s Church) through a popup every Thursday, Friday & Saturday evening, from 6pm-10pm!
It will be the perfect spot to unwind with delicious tapas, great wine and good company – and as a lovely welcome, Pablo is offering a FREE glass of wine with your first tapa between 6pm-8pm, throughout the launch weekend 8th - 10th October.
On the menu, you’ll find authentic Spanish classics including:
🥘 Patatas Bravas
🍳 Tortilla de Patatas
🫓 Croquetas de Jamón Serrano
🌶️ Pimientos de Padrón
🍷 Chorizo al Vino
🧀 Cheese Board & Sourdough
...all paired beautifully with a selection of Spanish wines by the glass, from a crisp Verdejo or Albariño to a rich Monastrell or Rioja Crianza.
Pablo also offers private catering – so if you’re planning a party, celebration or event, he can bring those wonderful Spanish flavours straight to you!
Come for a drink, stay for the tapas! 🇪🇸
To book a table, please call, text or WhatsApp Casa Montoya on 07403816561.
You’ll find Casa Montoya at Brioche, 10 Station Parade, Balham High Road, SW12 9AZ - every Thursday, Friday & Saturday evening (launched Thursday 8th October).
A family-run Italian trattoria, La Pernella, has opened at 65 Balham High Road, in the former Green Mosaic Pizza site, bringing its Southern Italian cooking to Balham!
Run by husband-and-wife team Mariano and Elena, together with their daughter Simona, La Pernella already has a longstanding and popular restaurant on Garratt Lane in Earlsfield, with Balham becoming the family’s second location.
The menu includes pizza, pasta, panuozzo (folded pizza sandwich), antipasti, and more, with plenty of traditional Italian favourites to choose from.
There’s also a downstairs space which can be hired for private dinners and gatherings.
La Pernella Balham is open Tuesday to Sunday from noon.
For more info or bookings, call 0203 9411 683.
Former Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak was in the local area last Friday, visiting Woodentops Nursery in Clapham to talk about maths in the early years, on behalf of his charity, The Richmond Project.
With a location in Balham, as well as Clapham Common (and part of the White House Prep School family), Woodentops has made exceptional maths teaching a core part of its curriculum – and was recently selected to take part in the Rethink Maths national trials.
Rethink Maths is funded by The Richmond Project, Rishi Sunak’s charity, which aims to improve the nation’s confidence with numbers. The project helps nurseries teach core mathematical concepts and number sense to young children through modelled teaching, imaginary worlds and plenty of mathematical talk.
Friday’s visit gave the former PM the chance to see Woodentops’ teaching in action, and to hear why nurseries like theirs are so keen to be involved.
Pictured alongside Rishi Sunak are Woodentops founders Sarah Sanger, Laura Randall, Grace McCahery and the Nursery team.
A special morning for local young readers took place last week as children’s author Piers Torday visited Trinity St Mary's Balham, bringing together pupils from three local schools for a morning celebrating books, reading and writing.
The event was also attended by Deputy Mayor Cllr Kirsten Botting, with Piers speaking to the children about his love of reading, how he first began writing and his family ancestry.
He also talked about two of his books, Midnight Treasure and Wolf Crown, giving pupils the chance to hear more about the stories and the inspiration behind his work.
The visit was organised by Denise from Balham’s Backstory London alongside Miss Brewster, bringing local schoolchildren together for a morning with one of Britain’s leading children’s authors.
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