Category Archives: Blog

Tooting Constitutional Club Planning Application Update

by Philip Bradley
Picture of Tooting Constitution Club in June 2017

Tooting Constitution Club June 2017

The planning application for the Tooting Constitutional Club development into an Apart-Hotel is going to be considered by the Wandsworth Planning Committee on Wednesday 18th April. The proposal is recommended for approval by officers and is likely to be accepted with conditions. You can read the (42 page) planning officers report here. The proposal is to demolish all the existing buildings and build a 3/4/5 storey hotel with a four storey basement. There will be a public open space  on the existing bowling green and the demolished club house will be rebuilt to accommodate a community cafe.

Balham To Tooting Bec Trail And Podcast Launched

by Philip Bradley
Image for promoting Balham To Tooting Bec Trail

Balham To Tooting Bec Trail Artwork

The Balham to Tooting Bec Trail, podcast and map is a fascinating self-guided historical walk – and we hope that you will join in, take part and enjoy it. This circular walk takes you from Balham station to Tooting Bec and back again – on the Podcast those who live and work here tell you their stories and you can use this with the beautiful map that shows you the way. Did you know:

  • That we have here the only sewing machine museum in the world?
  • That the self-styled mayor of Balham lives here, or
  • That you had to have an interview before you could rent a flat here?

So do please join in and take part- access the Podcast at www.neighbourhoodnetworksw17.org.uk or download it at soudcloud or itunes

Download the map at the website or pick it up at local shops and the library. You can borrow an MP3 player from Balham library if you do not have a Smartphone. You can do the walk alone, or with friends and/or family – it takes about an hour in all and there are plenty of places to stop for refreshments along the way.

Or, if you can why don’t you join us on the launch walk on Saturday April 28th 2018 meeting at midday at Irene House (next door to St Mary and St John the Divine church)

We hope that you would like to use this trail. Please could you forward this information to all those who might be interested- we really hope that this is a well-used community resource.

The Neighbourhood Network SW12 and SW17 trail team

The Anglo-Boer War Memorial In St. Nicholas Church, Tooting

by Philip Bradley

The latest edition of The Wandsworth Historian has an excellent article by Neil Robson about the Boer War memorial which you can find in St. Nicholas Church, Tooting. The memorial records the names of thirteen soldiers from Tooting who died in the Second Boer War of 1899-1902. Neil has traced the origins of the memorial, the events surrounding it’s unveiling on 23rd August 1903 and details of the 13 men commemorated on the memorial.

The article is not available online but you can find details of how to join The Wandsworth Historical Society and get a copy of the Wandsworth Historian here. Neil Robson spoke at our November 2017 meeting about Ted Foster ,VC. You can see his talk on You Tube here.