Balham favourite, Postmark has scooped one of the UK's top retail awards after it was named the best independent card retailer in London at a glittering awards ceremony held in the Dorchester Hotel.

Beating off stiff competition Postmark picked up the coveted ‘Best Independent Card Retailer, London'  award at the RETAS - the official greeting card retailer awards launched in 2005 by Progressive Greetings Worldwide magazine.

Postmark’s owner Mark Janson-Smith said:

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be named the best independent card retailer in London. I was up against some really strong competition which made winning the award even better. I take great pride in stocking good quality, design led cards and I always try to provide the best customer service i can. Winning this award is a real honour and proves quailty and service make a real difference."

Staff from Bon Marche, Balham High Road will be raising funds by going 'Mad and Green' for Macmillan Cancer Support.  From 11th to 13th July staff will be doing anything from wearing green hats, wigs and clothing while serving our customers.  
  
Bon Marche has supported Macmillan for over ten (10) years, raising over £1.5 million and we continue to do so with the support from staff members in 400 stores nationwide.  Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer, providing practical, medical, emotional and finanical support.  Working alongside people affected by cancer, Macmillan works to improve cancer care.
 
Please, we urge the Balham community to come and support us in their best way possible. 

Following the success of the Hot Bikram Yoga Fulham studio that launched in January 2006, a second Hot Bikram Yoga Studio is scheduled to open in Balham on Saturday July 5^th - leading the way as the first of its kind south of the River Thames.

The new Balham studio will feature the latest equipment to ensure the temperature is kept at approximately 105 ° F (40 ° ). The studio is modern, fresh and fashionable utilising soft perimeter lighting, a full-length mirrored wall and fully equipped showers and WCs in the spacious, purpose built changing areas.

To celebrate the Balham Studio opening there will be a special Friends and Family Party with a one-off class from 3.30pm – 5.00pm on Saturday July 5^th followed by drinks from 5.00pm until 6.00pm.

For full information visit www.hotbikramyoga.co.uk.

The long awaited patisserie has opened in 8 Bedford Hill. Des Lys bakes pastries on site and sells a variety of French products, cakes, teas/ coffees and bread that has been baked in a wooden oven. Products can be eaten inside or taken away.

date: Saturday 21st June

from: 12noon to: 4.00pm

location: Balham Community Space (next to Sainsbury's Car Park)

Wandsworth Council’s Cycle Corners offer fun-filled cycling activities, information and prizes. There’s something for all the family, and it’s all free. Bring your bike along if you have one, or have a go on ours! We’re offering:

• “Dr Bike” cycle safety checks
• Cycle Security Marking
• Static cycle racing - race your friends and win prizes

Also local cycle maps, free gifts and advice.

For further information on Cycle Corner and Bike Week visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/bikeweek

Hundreds of churchgoers took part in a series of events in Balham this week as part of the national HOPE 08 initiative.

The fun began on Saturday, (May 3^rd) with performance artists and a jazz band at Balham Community Space, next to Sainsbury’s on Balham High Road. Free tea and coffee were on offer and Christians were on hand to chat to and pray for members of the public throughout the afternoon. This continued on Sunday with free car washing, open air worship and a bouncy castle.

HOPE 08 aims to put the Christian faith into action and to explain the meaning of that faith in villages, towns and cities across the UK. One of the challenges is to get Christians across the UK to give 1,000,000 hours of kindness in the form of practical help to their communities.

In Balham more than 100 Christians spent Bank Holiday Monday doing voluntary projects including gardening, painting and litter picking throughout the area.

Events are set to continue throughout the week, culminating with a party at the Lochinvar Hall on the Lochinvar Estate from midday-4pm on Saturday, May 10^th.

Volunteers from local churches are preparing to reach out to people on the streets of Balham. Street Pastors will be easily recognised by their blue jackets and baseball caps. They are trained to provide non-judgemental support and help wherever possible, particularly to vulnerable people and young people who may feel excluded by society. A team of Street Pastors from Balham were commissioned at a Civic Prayer Service at All Saints Church, Wandsworth, SW18 at 6pm on Saturday, April 19^th.

The Olive Awards – the first initiative to measure satisfaction levels in the field of beauty, wellness and integrated health and to recognise and reward exceptional employers – has just announced its winners for 2007.

Based on the scores of extensive on-line employee surveys in beauty salons, combined hair and beauty salons, health and leisure centres and spas, and suppliers to those sectors, winners were announced in 4 categories: Best Overall Employer; Best Small Company, Best Medium Company and Best Large Company.

Independent mindbodysoul, an urban retreat in the heart of Balham, won the Best Small Company Award.

Independent mindbodysoul, 87 Balham High Road offers the very best in all aspects of hairdressing, beauty, body and holistic treatments. The salon is open to both men and women and uses only Aveda products throughout.

Independent mindbodysoul’s other achievements include:

• WINNER Wandsworth Business of the Year 2006
• WINNER Best New Business 2006
• WINNER Best Creative Design 2005
• FINALIST South London Business Awards - Best New Business
• TIME OUT TOP 50 Salon - London

For further information or to book an appointment visit www.independentmbs.co.uk

Balham-based drama group Southside Players draws you into the murky underworld of murder, paranoia and ghosts…..

Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s darkest plays, telling the tale of a man driven to kill to get what he wants –and then hold onto it. With brilliant plotting, and lyrical but chilling language, the author shows us the terrible consequences of a psychopath’s ambition.

Who is the more evil – Macbeth or his Lady?

Southside sets the play in a contemporary, urban setting where the idea that power corrupts is all too familiar.

A startling and edgy interpretation of this classic play

with original music

Macbeth

Wednesday 28 – Saturday 31st May, 7.45 pm (Sat 7.00 pm)

Book online at: www.southsideplayers.org.uk

Box office: 07914 657 524

Tickets: £8.00 (Fri £9.00), concessions: £5.00

Venue: Drama Hall, Chestnut Grove School,

Boundaries Road, Balham SW12 8JZ