Aside from eating, drinking and shopping, SwishJunction likes to dabble in a hobby or two. And how pleasing that Balham and the surrounding area is able to indulge this, especially housed in our fab charity shops. This wonderful age of the internet means we can pretty much do everything and anything online but sometimes it’s nice to shut down the computer, get out in town and get social, while embracing your cultural side. We’ve not been to the following events ourselves but watch out for reviews in the future.

Oxfam on Balham High Road holds a book club once a month. The next session is 7th December at 7:30pm in their shop. The next book is The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. You don’t have to sign up and there’s no fee (but a donation or mini book spree in store would always be welcome I’m sure). Pictured are our recent Oxfam Bookshop buys – we’re busy on 7th (gotta love the Christmas social scene) but think that this is a serious contender for a weekday social night in January.

Trinity Hospice, also on Balham High Road, until recently held a weekly knitting group in their shop but with the departure on their manager their sessions have ceased. We’ve since found out that their Streatham Hill Branch holds a knitting session every Wednesday from 6pm-8pm for £3. Knit and pearl among like-minded locals and share and receive tips. Their stores also stock a healthy supply of wool to invest in your hobby. Admittedly SwishJunction is a seasonal knitter who is in need of a little more guidance so this sounds right up our street.