Disco is back at Balham Bowls Club! 🪩
Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet, the fun, feel-good 70s and 80s disco night for grown-ups, as recommended by everyone from The Guardian, Time Out and Stylist to BBC Radio 4, is returning to Balham Bowls on Saturday 17th October.
After two fabulous parties last year at the now-closed White Eagle Club, HSDY is returning to the recently refurbished upstairs ballroom at Balham Bowls on Ramsden Road for another night to remember!
Dapper DJ Lord Anthony (Bestival, Pikes Ibiza) will be on the decks playing all the best 70s & 80s, soul, funk and disco classics, plus a bit of pop, while dancer Pablo (Move Your Frame) will lead flash-mob style routines to get everyone into the groove, including Car Wash (complete with shiny rags), Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet, after which the club night takes its name, and Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance with Somebody.
Lots of partygoers dress up (though it’s not obligatory) and there’s a best outfit dance-off competition, plus free retro sweets & ice pops too.
HSDY founder, Nikki Spencer, from south London, launched the nights 16 years ago after a failed attempt to go out dancing in Soho when she was in her late 40s. She decided to create the kind of club night that she and her friends wanted to go to: one that was fun, welcoming and non-judgemental, and played great music that you couldn’t help but dance to.
The nights have been described as “Saturday Night Fever meets Mamma Mia in a glorious mash-up” and partygoers have said that HSDY “makes them feel so good it should be on the NHS!”
Nikki’s family has a history of cancer and 10% of profits from ‘Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet’ nights go to Cancer Research UK.
For more info or to buy tickets, visit WeGotTickets here.
The event runs from 7.30pm - midnight and tickets are £20.
DOG SHOW this weekend! 🐶 Join @wwcommon for their annual dog show on Wandsworth Common this Sunday 6th September from 12pm - 4pm!
Registration takes place between 10am - noon with the show running from 12pm - 4pm.
Categories include:
🏅Best rescue
🏅Best puppy
🏅Best young handler under 16 years
🏅Best senior
🏅Best loose lead
🏅Best adult
🏅Best trick
🏅Dog most like its owner
The event will take place on the Bellevue Field in Wandsworth Common, opposite the Hope Pub.
All dogs welcome!
For more info about the Friends of Wandsworth Common, visit their website here.
The fantastic Furzedown Farmers Market is BACK from its annual summer break THIS SATURDAY, from 9.30am in the playground at Penwortham Primary with lots of new & old favourites for you to browse and shop!
They have coffee, delicious food, drinks and a great deal of gift items this weekend too! This Saturday also will include a lovely addition of free 10 minute energy reset treatments from the Pranic Healing stand!
South London Vinyl will also be there as always providing the soundtrack! 🎧
Dogs are of course very welcome and will be serviced by the wonderful Bailey's Canine Kitchen! 🐶
📆 Saturday 5 September
🕰️ 09.30 - 13.30
📍 Penwortham Primary School, Penwortham Road, SW16 6RJ - just down the road from Tooting & Balham!
Join local community group Beautify Balham this Saturday 5th September for their monthly litter pick!
Meet behind Sainsbury’s Balham at Bedford Hill Place at 11am. Gloves, litter pickers and bags will be provided. All welcome!
Beautify Balham works with local residents and businesses to help make Balham greener, cleaner and even more beautiful!
The Friends of Agnes Riley Gardens would like to invite locals to their annual Autumn Fair on Saturday 5th September from 2pm -5pm. Free entry!
Enjoy an afternoon of fun with bouncy castle, tombola, stalls, games, arts and crafts, refreshments and much more!
The fair will take place at Agnes Riley Gardens which is located at the corner of Clarence Avenue and Poynders Road.
For more info, send an email to friends@agnesrileygardens.org.uk
Make some time for yourself this September! Join local wellness practitioner Gizelle Renee for an immersive three-hour cacao & self-care experience on Sunday 13th September – set in the breathtaking Barts North Wing, one of London’s most remarkable historic spaces!
The first 10 Newsie readers to book can enjoy 20% OFF with code NEWSIE20!
Gizelle tells us what’s in store:
“We’ll begin by slowing down and stepping away from the demands of daily life as we gather to share ceremonial cacao. Throughout the afternoon, you’ll be guided through meditation, breathwork and reflective activities, with opportunities for conversation, journalling and connection in a warm and welcoming environment.
“The experience will close with an immersive sound bath using crystal bowls, chimes and layered sound. Everything is provided for your comfort, including yoga mats, cushions, blankets and eye masks.
“Whether you’re completely new to cacao or already enjoy it regularly, this is a chance to pause and experience cacao, meditation and sound in one of London’s most extraordinary hidden gems. Just come comfortably dressed and arrive as you are.”
On the day, guests will also enjoy some lovely touches from Gizelle’s wonderful sponsors – Douvalls Beauty, Avalon Pilates, Scentered and Spritz Wellness – plus the chance to win a beautiful Spritz Wellness gift set!
To book your ticket, or for more info, click here – and use code NEWSIE20 for 20% OFF (first 10 readers only!).
📍 The Great Hall, Barts North Wing, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, West Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE
We're sad to report that The Hatch at 92 Balham High Road has permanently closed down. They tell us that it wasn't an easy decision but it was time for a new chapter.
We'll let you know what goes in there next.
Good luck to Tony and Fabio in their next endeavours!
Congratulations to Dr Mica Engel, owner of longtime, popular Balham doctor-led aesthetics clinic Cosmetica who’s been featured by leading global healthcare sector magazine, Healthcare Outlook!
The feature, “Dr Engel Naturals: Where Skin Recovers,” explores Dr Mica’s journey as a doctor, clinic founder and the creator of new skincare brand D.E.N Skincare, as well as the experiences that have shaped her approach to skin health.
For Mica, skincare has never been about chasing trends or doing more for the sake of it - it’s about understanding the skin, protecting its barrier, supporting recovery and creating long-term resilience.
The article also shares the deeply personal story behind the development of D.E.N; including how Mica’s own experience as a patient changed the way she thought about skincare and ultimately inspired a philosophy centred around compatibility first.
As Mica says in the feature:
“The future of skincare will be smarter, not louder.”
“And that ethos sits at the heart of so much of what we do here at Cosmetica London - thoughtful, evidence-led care that puts the individual and their skin first.”
You can read the full feature online here.
Sales Property Of The Week from Keating Estates, Balham: “A fantastic two double bedroom, two bathroom apartment with a private South-facing terrace, set within this sought-after luxury development Ideally located within the highly desirable Brixton-Stockwell-Clapham Triangle.
“Setting it apart from others within the building, this beautifully presented home is positioned high on the fourteenth floor, enjoying an elevated outlook, offering exceptional privacy, an abundance of natural light and impressive triple-aspect views across the London skyline.”
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.
Local businesses! If mapping out your autumn marketing fills you with dread, meet Lottie and Alex, the founders of CoLab Marketers, an independent marketing consultancy right here in SW12! 👋
With that “back to school” feeling officially kicking in, the pair are helping local business owners create simple, effective marketing plans without the overwhelm.
Co-founder Alex tells us more:
“You started your business to do what you love, not to spend your evenings deciphering the latest algorithm!
“Let’s be honest: most small business marketing looks a bit like a messy kitchen junk drawer. You try a little bit of Instagram, send half a newsletter and boost a random post, only to end up completely drained with very little to show for it.
“We’re on a mission to help local founders fire themselves as CMO. We strip away the corporate fluff and help small businesses build simple, consistent marketing ecosystems that actually bring in warm leads, without the burnout.
“If you want to step off the marketing treadmill before the Q4 rush begins, we’d love to help. We’re currently looking to connect with more independent businesses across Balham, Tooting, and beyond this autumn.”
For more info, or to arrange a chat, send a DM to CoLab Marketers or visit their website to grab their free guide, "Marketing Made Simple."
New pan-Asian venture, Joe's Oriental will open in Balham this weekend! Located at 1 Ramsden Road, where Freak Scene was located, and under the same ownership (but with two new restaurant managers), Joe’s is all about big, bold Southeast Asian-inspired food without the big price tag.
Owner & Head Chef, Scott Hallsworth tells us more about the new restaurant:
“Expect loud flavours, plenty of zing, smoke, chilli and crunch – but easy-going enough for everyone: affordable plates, kids’ bento boxes at lunch and dinner, simple East Asian-inspired cocktails, and a short, rotating wine list built around the food.
“Joe’s originally launched as a King’s Road pop-up back in 2015, and we think it’s going to be a brilliant fit for Balham.”
Joe’s Oriental Diner will be located at 1 Ramsden Road, Balham, SW12 8QX
A new community market Forty Markets is launching TOMORROW, Saturday 5th September from 10am - 4pm at Chestnut Grove Academy!
The market will bring together a range of local street food, crafts, fresh produce and creative sellers. Forty Markets is run by Forty, the independent coffee business behind cafés in Tooting, Mitcham and Abbey Mills, and the team also runs Abbey Mills Market and Mitcham Market. They’re now bringing their community-focused market to Balham.
Forty Markets in Balham will run on the first Saturday of every month.
Local resident Michael Coote has recently launched MC Bespoke Services, bringing 25 years of experience in joinery and carpentry to local homes.
From bespoke kitchens and furniture to renovations, storage and outdoor carpentry, he tells us more:
"With 25 years of experience as a joiner and carpenter, and 15 years as a managing partner in my own companies, I’ve decided to take things back to basics and return to what I enjoy most — working directly with local clients and helping turn their ideas, visions and dreams for their homes into reality.
"I started my career in joinery, specialising in bespoke kitchens and furniture, before moving into house refurbishments and eventually larger-scale property development. Although I’ve enjoyed every stage of my career, I’ve found there’s nothing more rewarding than working closely with a client, brainstorming ideas, developing designs and seeing them come to life.
"I cover most aspects of internal and external carpentry and joinery, from hanging doors and general carpentry through to bespoke kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, media walls, under-stair storage, furniture, decking, porchways and much more.
"I’m passionate about quality craftsmanship, attention to detail and creating solutions that are both practical and personal to each home.
"Whether you have a clear idea or simply a space that needs some inspiration, I’m always happy to have a chat and see what we can create together."
For more info, send an email to mcbespokeservices@gmail.com
TRIAL WEEK! Balham’s House of GPA are holding a trial week, Monday, 14th September - Sunday, 20th September, where they will be welcoming children & adults to have a taster session!
⭐ Classes for ages 1–16 years & adults
⭐ Beginner to advanced levels - no previous experience required
⭐ Class options Monday - Sunday
⭐ Qualified and experienced coaches
⭐ Recreational and competitive pathways available
SPECIAL OFFERS:
✔️ Children who enrol for the Autumn Term can receive 5% OFF Autumn Term fees
✔️ Adults can register for a membership and receive 10% OFF their first month or register for a bundle and receive 5% OFF
These special offers are for a limited time only!
Whether you’re looking to learn the basics, develop new skills, or pursue competitive training, House of GPA has a programme for you.
⚠️ Trial spaces are limited and expected to fill quickly, so we strongly encourage you to book in advance.
📩 Contact House of GPA today to book your taster session. Spaces are filling up quickly!
🌐 www.houseofgpa.com
✉️ info@houseofgpa.com
📞 07534309004
📍 63 Balham High Road, London SW12 9AP
Free bicycle safety checks in Wandsworth with Dr Bike! 🚲🩺
The team delivers a regular Dr Bike service at Wandsworth's three main hospitals – St George’s and Springfield in Tooting, and Queen Mary’s in Roehampton. They also run sessions at community spaces in Balham, Battersea, Clapham, Putney, Tooting and Wandsworth Town.
Dr Bike will perform minor adjustments including:
• Safety checks/M check
• Checking that your brakes are working properly
• Pumping up tyres
• Cleaning and oiling chains, time permitting
• Indexing gears, time permitting
• Identifying additional work which may be required
• Offering professional advice and pointing you in the right direction
Please note that electric bikes and hydraulic brakes cannot be checked or fixed.
No need to book – just turn up with your bike and wait for your safety check.
More info and a list of upcoming locations here.
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