Wandle photo competition

• The competition is open to amateur photographers only living or working in the boroughs of Wandsworth, Merton, Sutton or Croydon.
• Entry is free
• All entries must be your own work
• The closing date for entries is midnight on 16th October 2015
• There is a maximum of 5 photos per entrant.

More information.

Who'd like to join an Earlsfield book club?

Do you like reading? Do you like talking? Do you like talking about reading?

Earlsfield resident Gina has asked if there are any Earlsfield book clubs out there looking for new members.

More importantly, she's wondering if anyone would like to join her in starting up a new one? Gina suggests meeting up every few weeks or month to discuss a variety of books, possibly with a glass of wine and maybe even some cheese.

If you'd like to join please email Gina to let her know.

Likewise, if you're a local bar or restaurant and who'd welcome a monthly group of readers (and wine drinkers / cheese eaters), please get in touch.

Community river clean-up

The Wandle Trust is hosting one of its regular community river cleanups in Earlsfield on Sunday 13 October. They say:

"The water in the River Wandle is now some of the cleanest in London, but the river has been treated as a flowing dustbin for at least the last 150 years. Unfortunately, many people still use it as a place to dispose of things they don’t want.

That’s why we hold regular community cleanups at different points up and down the river, at 11.00am on the second Sunday of every month, to improve the environment for birds, fish, insects and local people. Click here to see some of the results of our work!

Everyone involved is a volunteer, and we usually collect at least a lorry full of rubbish within about 4 hours, before enjoying a well-earned drink at the nearest pub. We’re immensely grateful to our partners at the local London Boroughs of Croydon, Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth for taking the rubbish away for us afterwards – and for helping us recycle some of it too.

We provide waders, plus protective gloves and First Aid facilities, but please bring your own wellies if you have them, and wear old clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty and possibly wet."

So if you've been pained by the sight of shopping trolleys, tyres, and road cones where there should be ducks, fish, and herons, head down to the Haslemere Industrial Estate, Ravensbury Terrace, SW18 4RL at 11am on Sunday 13 October.

Help improve the Wandle Trail in Earlsfield

The Wandle Trail is a shared pedestrian and cycling path running along the Wandle river from Wandsworth to Croydon.

The trail in Earlsfield is in need of some attention to make it wider and more user-friendly. On Sunday 15th September a working bee is being organised to clear the path.

Wandle Trail by diamond geezer on Flickr

Between 10am and 4pm volunteers are invited to attend to "cut, lop, hack and trim" the surrounding vegetation so the path can be widened. Lunch will be provided and all are welcome to attend as much or little of the day as they can spare.

Read the original article or email dan@danwatkins.org.uk for more information.

Getting fit in Earlsfield

Now that the weather is finally improving (or, at the very least, the days are longer), lots of people seem to be out pounding the pavements in Earlsfield. But what other options are there for getting out and active? You might be surprised at the range of activities on your doorstep.

If your club or class is missing, please leave a comment and I'll update the page.

Classes and activities

 

From golf to kickboxing to pilates, you can find it all in Earlsfield. Many of the gyms and clubs offer classes too, so be sure to check them out!

Active Lifestyles 50+ programme - run by Wandsworth Council
Central London Golf Centre - located on Burntwood Lane
Fishing - in the southern basin of the Wandsworth Common lake
Fit For a Princess - 13 classes a week on Wandsworth Common including cardio pilates and kickboxing
Grove Pilates - a range of classes and activities and you can book online
ProPhysiotherapy: located in a studio off Garratt Lane, morning and evening classes, plus men's pilates on Saturdays, antenatal and post-natal pilates, and post-natal circuits with free baby-sitting, book on enquiries@prophysiotherapy.co.uk
MA&Y - yoga and martial arts in Earlsfield library on Monday and Thursday evenings.
Wildflower Yoga - in the same studio as Grove Pilates, Monday and Tuesday evenings book as above
Jiva Health (formerly Anoushka's Yoga) - yoga classes in St. Andrew's Parish Hall in Waynflete Street
whYoga - classes in Earlsfield Library
Visit Wandsworth Council's website to book a sports pitch or tennis court on council grounds. Find out what sports activities the council offers at which venue.

 

Gyms

 

There are gyms for all budgets and tastes in Earlsfield and surrounds.

Crossfit Bold - strength and conditioning in a warehouse on the Haslemere industrial estate
easyGym - opening autumn 2014 in Southside but accepting memberships now
Nuffield Health - in King George's Park
Pure Gym - on Wandsworth Road at the top of Garratt Lane
Switch Gym - women-only gym near Burntwood Lane
Virgin Active - in Southside Shopping Centre
Wandle Recreation Centre - run by DC Leisure on behalf of the council

Clubs

 

Battersea Ironsides - on Burntwood Lane for rugby, cricket, and football
Earlsfield Amateur Boxing Club - a long and proud Earlsfield history
Heathfield Club - a bowls club on Sandgate Lane
Magdalen Park Bowling Club - on Magdalen Road
Magdalen Park Lawn Tennis Club - with bookable facilities, coaching, and tournaments
Run Club - on Tuesday and Thursday evenings
South London Bowling Club - established in 1900
The Spencer Club - based in Fieldview and supporting hockey, cricket, tennis, lacrosse, and squash
TYGA Earlsfield Martial Arts - based at Beatrix Potter Primary School
Wandilea Bowls and Social Club - Lawn bowls sports club playing within Surrey County Bowls Association
The Wandle Runners - open to all runners looking for a group to train with. Follow them on Twitter for the latest news or visit their website.

Green spaces

 

If you just want to get out of the house, Earlsfield is home to some great parks and green spaces. Some of them have running tracks and other facilities too. Visit the websites for more information.

Garratt Green - including playground
Garratt Park - including basketball court and playground
King George's Park - including part of the Wandle Trail
Wandsworth Common - a range of spaces and facilities