Balham Newsie Weekly Newsletter
Half term activities for kids, reduced speed for Limes bikes in local commons, a new Reformer Pilates studio, Sponsor a Tree, and much more!
Keep the kids busy this half term at Balham Library! They will have a full week of events, from the usual weekly crafts, Lego, Rhyme Time and Story Time, plus some exciting additions!
For a list of all events, visit Balham Library.
Booking is required for the following:
🧶Knit Club on Wednesday 27th May from 10.30am
📚Storycrafting Workshop with author Allison Parkinson on Thursday 28th May at 11am
🎨Family Art & Craft Workshop with Wandsworth Heritage Collection on Friday 29th May at 11am
For more information contact Balham.Library@gll.org or call 0208 673 1129
Wandsworth Heritage Festival (WHF) returns later this month, an annual festival celebrating Wandsworth’s rich history through a programme of walks, talks, exhibitions, and creative performances.
Taking place from 23rd May - 14th June, the 2026 WHF is organised by Wandsworth Heritage Service to celebrate Wandsworth’s rich past, with the support of contributors from local groups and societies who share their enthusiasm, knowledge, and time.
Events in Balham include a walk exploring Balham High Road's history, an exploration of Tooting Bec Common's heritage trees, and a photographic exhibition of Wandsworth Common.
Full info and booking via Welcome to Wandsworth
Wandsworth Council has introduced reduced speed limits for e-bikes in Wandsworth and Tooting Commons following discussions with community groups, including Friends of Wandsworth Common and those connected to Tooting Common and Wandsworth Park.
Concerns had been raised about some riders travelling at speed through shared spaces. The Council had also been looking at the issue of illegal motorised delivery bikes without pedals, which are not permitted on commons.
During discussions, it emerged that e-bikes had already been “geofenced” in other parts of the borough, including along the Embankment between Wandsworth and Battersea bridges.
Friends of Wandsworth Common asked for the same approach to be applied to Wandsworth Common, and the changes were introduced in March.
E-bike speeds in these areas are now limited to 8mph, compared with the standard maximum of 14.5mph. This is also lower than the 12mph speed limit already in place on the Common.
New owners at Sistova Road Dental Studio in Balham! After 12 years building the practice from the ground up, founders Dr Zuleyha Cetinkaya and Ozgur Duzgunoglu have sold the successful two-surgery practice to Dentists, Robert Pestell and Benjamin Neo, report London Post.
Dr Cetinkaya, who founded Sistova Road Dental Studio with her husband in 2014, will remain with the practice as an Associate to ensure continuity of care for the thousands of registered patients. The practice has grown into a thriving, reputable business serving the local community over the past 12 years.
New owners Robert Pestell and Benjamin Neo said: "We're extremely grateful for the opportunity to take over from Dr Cetinkaya, and are looking forward to meeting and caring for the amazing community of Balham. We're excited to build upon the strong foundations already established and embrace the challenges ahead!"
Congratulations to Robert and Benjamin, and best wishes to Dr Cetinkaya and Ozgur for their well-deserved next chapter!
Sistova Road Dental Studio is located on Sistova Road, Balham.
Read the full article here.
Wandsworth Council’s Trees for Streets scheme enables residents to sponsor a tree to be planted in one of over 2,000 pre-approved locations across the borough, or to pick a location for planting in your street or neighbourhood.
The council asks for a sponsorship donation of £250 to plant a new street tree, when you have taken on the job of watering the sponsored tree, and £350 when the council is taking responsibility for watering the tree. The council will itself contribute between £300 and £500 towards the planting of this tree.
The sponsorship includes a 5-7 year-old "instant impact" tree, standing at between 3-4 metres high. The exact specification may change depending on availability and practical considerations.
Full story here.
Sales Property Of The Week from Keating Estates, Balham: “A beautifully presented two double bedroom garden flat, set within an elegant Victorian conversion on the highly sought-after Yukon Road, just a short stroll from the heart of Balham.
“Blending timeless period charm with contemporary style, this lovely home also benefits from a private outdoor space, creating a warm and inviting setting perfect for modern living.”
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.
Bare la Terre was started by local parents and tweens who struggled with that age group’s growing curiosity about skincare. Many products kids are drawn to with bright packaging and cute names are actually adult formulas that can be too harsh for young skin, while gentler products are often seen as “boring”!
They teamed up with dermatologist and fellow mum Dr. Mariana to create products that are 100% kid-safe, specialist-approved and fun to use. Sustainability sits at the heart of the brand, with biodegradable or fully recyclable packaging designed to respect the planet the next generation will inherit.
Every Bare la Terre product is rated “excellent” on the Yuka app, is over 99% natural and tween-approved!
For more info, visit www.barelaterre.com
Planning a home improvement project over the coming months? Local construction company Asllani Constructions now have availability for new projects (large & small)!
Whether you’re dreaming of a bespoke kitchen designed around your style, a loft conversion for a bright new living space, or a fresh new look for your business or studio, Manthi & his highly-experienced team are here to bring it all to life!
Manthi tells us more about his business:
“Every space tells a story, and we combine traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques to help you get your home or business exactly as you want it, delivering results that last.
“We specialise in the following construction work:
• Bespoke Kitchens & Furniture: tailored designs built around your style & 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
“No project is too small, no vision is too big. We create custom-made solutions for every client, and all of our work is built on detail, quality, and care.”
To find out more & to book in a free quote, call or text Manthi at 07903 208 450, email manthos09@icloud.com and see more great examples of their work at Asllani Constructions!
New ‘Ready Roasts’ are now available at Balham’s Chadwick's Butchers! Devised by their Head Butcher, Dave, Chadwick’s easy-to-cook Ready Roasts serve 2-3 people and come in foil tins ready to cook in the oven.
They will have different flavours each week - with this week’s range consisting of Jerk Chicken, Chinese Pork Ribs, Poussin, Half Chicken In Lemon and Beef Meatballs in a Spicy Tomato and Herb Sauce.
You’ll find the family-run Chadwick’s Butchers located at 109 Balham High Road, open 9am-5.30pm, Monday to Saturday.
A new boutique Reformer Pilates studio Goji London has officially opened on Balham Hill, just moments from Clapham South tube station! Founders, and local parents, Sam and Nick tell us more:
"The studio has been designed to feel luxurious and warm, whilst remaining welcoming and accessible - whether you’re completely new to Pilates or already well-versed.
"With a strong focus on Memberships, Goji combines intelligent Reformer Pilates classes and thoughtful recovery through an infrared sauna, within a calm and beautifully designed setting.
"The friendly Teaching Team who have been personally recruited and trained in the Goji Method by the in-house Studio Lead, bring over a decade of professional Pilates experience. Expect a consistent approach to classes that focuses on quality movement and technique - not just another commercial reformer workout.
"With a growing community forming around the brand, plus our original studio over in Clapham Old Town, Goji is quickly becoming one of South West London’s most exciting new wellness destinations."
A limited number of Founding Memberships still remain, alongside a wide range of purchase options!
For more info, visit their website here.
Goji London is located at 53-55 Balham Hill.
This May Half-Term, The Strings Club are holding their award-winning, music-focused Holiday Camp for children aged 4-11 in Balham - from Tuesday 26th May until Friday 30th May – and there’s 10% OFF for all new customers – see details below!👇
Led by some of the UK’s best childcare practitioners & string teachers, the aim of The Strings Club is to give children an opportunity to engage with music in a rewarding, enriching and fun way.
Each day includes engaging violin or ukulele sessions (with free instrument hire) plus interactive workshops designed to spark creativity and confidence – and all ending in a joyful Grand Concert!
Why Choose The Strings Club?
- Tailored activities for ages 4-11
- Ukulele or violin sessions - with free hire!
- Led by experienced childcare practitioners
- Flexible booking – from one day to a full week
- 10% sibling discount & tax-free childcare / childcare vouchers accepted
Details of the Balham May Half-Term Holiday Camp:
- Venue: Trinity St Mary’s CE Primary School, 6 Balham Park Rd, SW12 8DR (4 minutes from the tube)
- Dates: Tuesday 26th May - Friday 30th May – choose the days you want or all week!
- Hours: 09:30am - 4pm / 8am - 5:30pm (depending on the flexibility you want)
For more information & to book, visit www.thestringsclub.org
Use code NEWCUS10 at the checkout to claim 10% OFF for new customers.
28 days of unlimited sound bath and breathwork sessions at Humm London in Colliers Wood for just £55 – offer ends 31st May!
HUMM London is a boutique wellness studio in Merton Abbey Mills (just a few stops from Balham) designed to help you slow down, regulate your nervous system and reconnect with yourself.
More than just classes, HUMM is a warm, calming space where people come to breathe deeper, release tension, feel held and find balance again.
Think:
✨ soft lighting
✨ calming scents
✨ crystal bowls & sound healing
✨ grounding breathwork
✨ yin yoga
✨ meaningful connection
✨ tea and chats after class
✨ a peaceful community where people know your name
At the heart of HUMM is sound healing, with sessions designed to gently guide the body out of stress mode and back into rhythm.
They also offer breathwork and yin yoga to support emotional release, deep rest and full nervous system reset.
To find out more (including info on the 28 day pass) and to book, visit Humm London
📍 Unit 1, The Long Shop
Merton Abbey Mills (3 mins walk from Colliers Wood tube)
SW19 2RD
A kind-hearted nurse at St George’s Hospital has donated her kidney to a stranger, as a thank you for someone doing the same for her husband – with both operations taking place on the same day at the hospital.
Filipinas Nercua’s generous act came after she volunteered to donate a kidney to her husband, Cesar – but they were incompatible due to their different blood groups.
When Filipinas discovered she was instead able to donate a kidney to someone else who shared her blood group, she decided to ‘pass on the kindness’ when a match was found for Cesar.
Full story via St George's Trust.
Filipinas’ incredible act of kindness was made possible through the NHS Kidney Sharing Scheme which is run by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT).
The scheme helps people receive a kidney transplant when a willing donor isn’t a direct match for them.
Normally, a living donor gives a kidney to someone they know, but when they are not compatible the scheme matches pairs in the same situation with others across the UK.
Figures released by NHSBT show there is a record high of more than 8,200 people waiting for an organ transplant, with 6,500 of those people waiting for a kidney.
One in every three kidney transplants in the UK is from a living donor, but many people are unaware that it could be an option for them.
Congrats to local hockey team London Wayfarers whose Flyerz team have been nominated for a national award in Diversity and Inclusion by England Hockey!
The Flyerz Balham location was set up 5 years ago to make hockey accessible to everyone and anyone and now the group has an immense presence and impact in the local community and beyond!
The England Hockey awards will be held on the 6th of June in Leicester.
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