
The Friends of Tooting Common annual Pumpkin Parade ๐๐๐ takes place on Sunday 25th October, 4pm-5pm!
There'll be competitions for the Funniest, Scariest, and Most Artistic carved pumpkins, plus a Fancy Dress competition! There'll be two age groups โ Under 8s, and 8s & Over.
There'll also be a parade of lit pumpkins!
EVERYONE WELCOME!
Entry fee ยฃ1 per pumpkin
No charge for fancy dress competitions
Enquiries: fotcinformation@gmail.com
The next Mega Skip Day takes place from 9am this Saturday 17th October, in seven locations around Wandsworth. Skips will close when they're full, or at 12pm โ whichever comes first.
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:
๐ Childebert Road, SW17 8EX
๐ Strathdon Drive, SW17 0PN
๐ Ansell Road, SW17 7LS
๐ Clapham Common west side, SW4 9AT
๐ Waverton Road, SW18
๐ Stockhurst Close, SW15 1NB
๐ Neville Gill Close, SW18 4BP
More info, including details of what you can bring and when the skips will be open, HERE.
A FREE six-week course, put on by Women's Wellbeing Collective, is launching at Balham Library this November, helping women step away from limiting patterns and take a more conscious approach to creating positive changes in their lives.
T.H.R.I.V.E. โ The Neuroscience of Practical Manifestation is grounded in practical neuroscience and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), offering participants tools and techniques to help them make meaningful changes in their everyday lives.
The course will explore six key areas:
Thoughts: Rewiring subconscious limiting beliefs and negative self-talk.
Habits: Moving away from survival mode and developing sustainable routines.
Resilience: Learning to regulate the nervous system and release feelings of overwhelm.
Intention: Training the brain to focus on personal goals and what participants want to achieve.
Visualisation: Using somatic tools to help participants embody their future goals in the present.
Empowerment: Building confidence and taking greater control of their own path.
The course begins on Wednesday 11th November and runs for six consecutive weeks, with sessions taking place on 11th, 18th and 25th November, and 2nd, 9th and 16th December.
Sessions will be held from 10am to 12pm at Balham Library Hall, 16 Ramsden Road, SW12 8QY.
The course is open to women only and is completely FREE, thanks to funding from the People's Postcode Lottery.
Places are strictly limited, so anyone interested in taking part is encouraged to register by visiting the Eventbrite page HERE.
The popular annual Trinity Hospice Christmas Fair returns to Balham this November, with a preview evening on Monday 16th November from 6pm - 9pm, followed by the main fair on Tuesday 17th November from 8am - 3:30pm!
This year's fair will feature a fantastic selection of stalls, with plenty of familiar favourites returning alongside some exciting new additions. A great opportunity to get started on your Christmas shopping while supporting a much-loved local charity!
The fair will take place at St Luke's Church, 194 Ramsden Road, SW12 8RQ.
For more information, visit Trinity Hospice Christmas Fair
Part of the queer community and looking for new friends and connections in the area? Lesbian SW London (LSW) are hosting a Brunch social at Joy Cafe in Tooting on 25th October, 11am-3pm (more info below), and host events throughout the year, including dating and mingling nights, socials, creative workshops and more!
LSW is a lesbian (FLINTA) queer meet-up group based in Tooting, bringing together queer women and non-binary folks across South West London. They host regular socials in Tooting, Clapham, Balham, Colliers Wood, and beyond, all south of the river.
At LSW, the belief is simple: you shouldn't have to travel miles to find your people. Community and connection are at the heart of everything they do, so whether you're new to London, freshly moved to SW, or a long-time local looking for your crew, there's a place for you.
Tickets for the Brunch Social (plus more info about the group) on the 25th October are available HERE.
๐Joy Cafรฉ, 9 Upper Tooting Rd, Tooting Bec, SW17 7TS
The Exhibit Balham is hosting its โScream Queen Halloweenโ party on Saturday 31st October, with a night of spooky celebrations running right through until 2am!
Entry is FREE, with creepy cocktails, plenty of music and dancing, and a ยฃ250 bar tab up for grabs for the best Halloween costume, with the winner announced at 9pm. So, if youโre heading along, make sure you dress for the occasion!
And throughout Halloween week, The Exhibit will also be screening a selection of new horror films in its cinema, with tickets including popcorn starting from just ยฃ4.95.
For more information and cinema bookings, visit The Exhibit Balham website HERE.

Sales Property Of The Week from Keating Estates, Balham: โA fantastic two double bedroom, two bathroom split-level maisonette, extending to over 1,000 sq.ft and offering a private entrance, a private rear garden and further front terrace, moments from Clapham High Street.
โSet within a luxury modern development, the property combines generous proportions with a contemporary finish throughout and an excellent balance of internal and external space. This is a superb home for those looking to enjoy the energy of Clapham whilst having a peaceful retreat to return to.โ
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.
Meet Dr Emily Tuson โ a highly-experienced medical doctor specialising in facial aesthetics, whoโs joining the team at the Every Skin Clinic in Balham on selected dates!
Offering personalised treatments including wrinkle relaxers, dermal fillers and skin boosters, Dr Emilyโs approach focuses on enhancing your natural features, with every treatment carefully tailored to your individual needs.
Dr Emily will be at EverySkin Balham on the following dates:
๐
Monday 9th November
๐
Monday 23rd November
๐
Monday 7th December
๐
Monday 21st December
๐ Appointments are limited, so donโt miss the chance to book your consultation with Dr. Emily.
๐ Call 020 4619 0022
๐ป Or book online: Book your appointment online HERE.
Dr Emily canโt wait to welcome you! ๐ค
๐ 168 Balham High Rd, London SW12 9BW

Looking for a local caterer for your next dinner party, celebration or special occasion? Balham resident Rosey has turned her passion for food into her own catering business, Roseyโs Village Table.
After 25 years working in the corporate world, Rosey decided to pursue a new career in food and trained at Leithโs Culinary School, graduating with distinction and being named Student of the Year 2026!
She now runs Roseyโs Village Table from Balham, creating food for dinner parties, celebrations, canapรฉ events and other special occasions, as well as bespoke cakes.
Rosey tells us more:
โMy aim is to bring restaurant-quality food and beautifully thoughtful service into peopleโs homes, while taking away all the stress that can come with entertaining. I want my clients to feel that everything is taken care of, so they can simply enjoy the food, the occasion and their guests.โ
๐ With Christmas approaching, Rosey is now taking orders for her homemade festive treats, including savoury options, Christmas puddings and cakes (prices for a small selection of her festive treats can be seen above).
Alongside catering, Rosey also provides menu planning advice and runs cooking workshops.
For more information, or to find out about catering, cakes and Christmas orders, visit her website HERE.

The team from beauty salon Fabulous Balham are opening a new brow and waxing bar Browtique at 6 Bedford Hill where Tan City used to be located.
After more than 10 years serving the Balham community, Fabulous Balham is expanding and are excited to announce the opening of its brand-new sister branch!
They tell us more:
"This is an incredibly exciting new chapter for us, and weโre so grateful to everyone who has supported Fabulous Beauty throughout the years. We canโt wait to welcome both our loyal clients and new faces into our beautiful new space."
They hope to open in the next few weeks. We'll keep you posted.
Fabulous Balham is located at 53 Balham High Road.

A temporary pop-up โChristmas shopโ has just opened at 184 Balham High Road, in the premises formerly occupied by the British Heart Foundation charity shop (which closed last month).
Run by Anil, the shop will be selling all sorts of festive decorations to get your home looking merry and bright in the run-up to Christmas.
Youโll find the Christmas shop open 7 days a week at 184 Balham High Road, SW12 9BW.

High-energy Balham fitness studio ROX Life are offering your first 3 sessions for just ยฃ35 โ the perfect way to experience everything they have to offer!
Known for its energetic, community-focused vibe, ROX offers an exciting mix of classes to suit everyone:
๐ฒ Ride โ immersive, music-driven indoor cycling
๐๏ธ LFT โ strength-focused training
๐ฅ SWITCH โ high-intensity interval training sessions
๐ช Small Group Sessions
The space has been purpose-built for strength, conditioning, athletic performance and seriously good vibes โ so whether youโre lifting, riding, or simply switching up your routine, thereโs something for you.
And donโt worry if youโre just starting out! Whether youโre stepping into your very first class or youโre a seasoned athlete after a new challenge, the ROX coaches are there to guide you every step of the way.
To find out more or grab your first 3 sessions for ยฃ35, visit the ROX Life website HERE.
๐1 Holbeach Mews, Balham, SW12 9QX
Introducing the HydraFacial at FACE by Balham Studios โ a complete skin treatment that cleanses, exfoliates, hydrates & rejuvenates your skin, all in one session. FACE are offering 30% OFF all HydraFacial bookings until 31st October!
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) & hair loss solutions.
FACE tell us:
โAs 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 donโt believe in one-size-fits-all โ every journey begins with a thorough consultation to design a treatment plan unique to your goals.
โWe use only premium, industry-leading products within a modern, regulated clinical environment, ensuring your safety and comfort at every step.โ
To find out more or book a consultation, visit facebybalhamstudios.co.uk or pop in & meet the team.
Youโll find FACE at 114a Balham High Road, SW12 9AA.

Happy 15th Birthday to Ritherdon Road-based businesses Delight Bakery and Johny Midnight Artist! ๐๐
Owners Dee & Johny joined forces last Saturday for a lovely celebration marking 15 years since they each opened their doors back in 2011 โ with locals coming out in force to help them celebrate!
DeeLight Bakery is an Australian-owned independent licensed bakery cafรฉ, while Gallery Midnight is a contemporary art gallery showcasing Johnyโs original paintings, London art prints and bespoke commissions.
Dee said: โIt was a lovely and special afternoon, and we really appreciate everyone who has supported us over the last 15 years.โ
Hereโs to many more!
Thanks to Dee for sharing these great photos!
Local rugby teams Bec Belles FC and Tooting Bec Old Boys RFC are looking for new players!
With three men's squads, two women's sides, and a vets team, the club welcomes everyone โ whether you're a seasoned pro or have never picked up a ball before. They're also as much of a community off the pitch as on it, with regular club-wide socials and events allowing the teams to come together and celebrate the game.
The Belles are also a fully integrated team of deaf and hearing players, with all training and games accessible to deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users, thanks to voluntary Communication Support Workers (CSW).
Belles train on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the Men train on Wednesdays, all at 7pm on Openview in Earlsfield. The Belles are also holding a special taster training session aimed at all those new to rugby this Thursday 15th October, so do come on down!
Email becbellesrugby@gmail.com if you're interested in joining the Bec family!
Ice hockey is back in Streatham! ๐ The @streatham.hockey Redhawks have made a winning start to the new season, following a successful campaign last year which saw them crowned both Southern and National Playoff Champions!
The local ice hockey team have already secured victories over Chelmsford Chieftains, Swindon Wildcats 2, Solent Devils and Invicta Dynamos, and will be looking to continue their winning streak when they return to home ice at Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre.
The Redhawksโ next home game takes place this Sunday 18th October against Romford Buccaneers, with doors opening at around 6pm and the match starting at 6.45pm.
Fancy going along to support the team? Tickets are priced at ยฃ17 for adults, ยฃ11 for concessions (under 16s and over 60s), or ยฃ50 for a family ticket (two adults and two children under 16).
Games take place at 390 Streatham High Road, London, SW16 6HX
Tickets can be purchased HERE!
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