VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Primary School's Summer Fete is on Saturday July 4 from 12 noon to 3pm.  There will be plenty to see and do including a football tournament, music, dancing, face painting, a grand raffle, coconut shy, strawberries and cream, plant stall, bouncy castles and assault courses, teas and cakes, BBQ and beer tent.  Entrance is £1, children free.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The Crown public house in the High Street, Otford have Tuff – an acoustic duo playing the Stones, Kinks etc, from 8pm in the garden on Saturday July 4 and are involved in the play in the park "Mother Sweetapple" by the Rude Mechanical Company on Wednesday July 8 by providing the beer tent.  They are also holding a Wine Tasting event at 7.30pm on Friday July 10 with tickets costing £7.50 which includes a canapé buffet and on Sunday July 12 Travellers Rest Folk Club are holding a Garden Party & BBQ:  singers, musicians and audience all welcome.  The BBQ is at 1pm but advance booking is necessary. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Petanque Club meet every Thursday at 2.30pm on the new purpose built terrain in the High Street recreation ground, and afterwards use the tea making facilities in the nearby Eric Dilley pavilion.  You are most welcome to join them as no previous experience is required.  For further details contact the club secretary Margaret Chandler 01959 523620.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Christine Masson is the artist featured in the Heritage Centre for June/July and her pictures can be viewed during opening hours.  Christine and her husband John are originally from London, but have also lived in Cheshire, moving to Otford 44 years ago.  She has painted since her schooldays and attended several courses at Denman College and in Sevenoaks and likes to paint botanical subjects and landscapes using different media.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Parish Council are requesting villagers to keep their trees and hedges trimmed as many are growing over the public footway and causing a nuisance to pedestrians, especially those with poor sight.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Tony Grogan, who raises money for Macmillan Cancer Support by undertaking sponsored treks, has arranged a presentation on his 2008 Trek in Nepal.  This will be held in St. Bartholomew’s church centre at 8pm on Tuesday July 14 and is aimed at those in the church and village who supported him or have an interest in his trekking experiences. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Evening WI are holding a fund raising Boot Sale in the Memorial Hall on Saturday July 18 between 9:30am and 12:30 and tables are available at £8 each.  If you have unwanted gifts or want to clear some drawers and cupboards this is your opportunity to recycle.  Contact Heather Tilley 01959 522491 for more information.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Scouts are holding a Quiz Night and AGM on Saturday July 18 at 7.30 for 8pm in the Scout Hut, Station Road.  Teams of 6 wanted for £5 per person but individuals are welcome to join existing tables.  Ring Ray Groom for more details 01959 525413. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Evening WI had an excellent speaker at their June meeting, Caroline Jackson from Plaxtol Nurseries gave a talk/demonstration on hanging baskets, sold plants and answered questions afterwards. Members have been helping at Spring House in Sevenoaks, teaching basic cookery skills and hope to return their shortly to teach basic sewing. The raffle for the Kent Air Ambulance, run by Brenda Ash, raised over £40. The next meeting is on July 9 when the speaker will be Janet Hancock, a Court Embroideress and then they hope to attract stall holders and buyers to the fund raising Boot Fair on July 18 in the Memorial Hall.  For further details ring Heather Tilley 01959 522491.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Folk Dance Club meet on Thursday June 25 in the Church Hall, High Street, opposite the Bull when Pilgrims Way band will be playing with Eddie calling.  The club meets every Thursday from 8pm to 10 pm and all are welcome for a friendly evening of all kinds of folk dancing.  There is a caller for each evening who runs through each dance beforehand and calls as the dance progresses   The emphasis is on enjoying the dance rather than technical perfection.  The cost for the evening, including tea/coffee and biscuits, is £1.50.  For more information contact Peter George 01959 522105.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Citizens Advice Bureau hold monthly surgeries at the Parish Offices in the High Street on the first Tuesday of the month between 10am and 12 noon.  These surgeries provide the opportunity for local people to seek advice, in confidence, on financial, legal, benefits and family problems.  If you would like advice then please go along and see them, no appointment is necessary.  If you are unable to attend a surgery then the CAB can be contacted on 01732 457958.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Citizens Advice Bureau hold monthly surgeries at the Parish Offices in the High Street on the first Tuesday of the month between 10am and 12 noon.  These surgeries provide the opportunity for local people to seek advice, in confidence, on financial, legal, benefits and family problems.  If you would like advice then please go along and see them, no appointment is necessary.  If you are unable to attend a surgery then the CAB can be contacted on 01732 457958.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Primary School will be holding their annual Summer Fete on Saturday July 4 between 12 noon to 3pm.  Keep the date free for a fun family afternoon out.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
St. Bartholomew's Church Summer Fair is being held in the grounds of Castle House, by kind permission of Mark and Irene Roy, on Saturday June 20 from 2pm.   Stalls will include Bottles, Books, Toys, Craft items, Plants, White Elephant, New Gifts, Sweets, Small Toys and Food including, cakes, biscuits, pudding pieces and preserves.  If you have any items you can offer for sale these can be placed at the back of the church, or arrangements can be made for them to be collected.  There will be a children’s Art Competition, with a theme of Henry VIII and the Tudors, and a Single Rose competition which is open to all. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Society’s Garden Party is on Saturday June 27 at Broughton Manor, High St, Otford between 6 and 8pm including wine & canapés.  Tickets cost £5 and are available from Carol Griffiths 01959 523140.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Book your table for the Otford Evening WI’s Boot Fair on Saturday July 18 between 9.30am and 12.30 in the Memorial Hall.   Stalls cost £8 each and can be booked by contacting Heather Tilley 01959 522491.   This is a good way to recycle those unwanted items and perhaps find you have been harbouring cash in your attic.
Otford Oast WI meets in the Memorial Hall next Thursday (June 18) from 9.30am to hear Gary Williamson talk about Butchery.  He will tell members all they every wanted to know about meat from a local Sevenoaks butcher.  There is a free crèche at every meeting, your first visit is free, second visit £3, and annual membership £29.  Tea/coffee is available for 50p.  More information from Patsy Groom 01959 524156.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Littlecourt  lunch club are looking for volunteer drivers.  The lunch club is held every Tuesday at the United Reform Church in Sevenoaks, near the mainline station.   If you are able to help call Deirdre Monatanaro 01732 455435 for further details.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Gardeners Society is holding their Rose and Summer Show in the Memorial Hall on Saturday June 27.  The show will feature roses and summer flowers, early vegetables, photography, flower arrangements, cookery and junior classes. Admission 50p, under 16’s admitted free and refreshments will be available until 4p.m.  Full details are available from the social secretary Janet Finney 01959 523760, e-mail gardeners@otford.net or visit their website www.otford.info/gardeners

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Brownies and Guides would like to thank everyone who supported their stall at Otford Village Fete.  They sold out of cakes and sweets and the proceeds will be put towards their activities to celebrate the Guide Association's centenary which begins in September 2009 and runs through to October 2010.
The Rainbow and Brownie units are full at the moment but any girl aged 10-14 who would like to join Guides can contact their leader Linda Stromberg 01959 523897. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Primary School would like you to make a note in your diary to keep Saturday July 4 free to go along to their annual Summer Fete being held in the school grounds between 12 noon and 3pm.  This promises to be a fun afternoon for the whole family.  More details in a future issue. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Evening WI are holding their ever popular Boot Fair between 9.30 and 12.30  on Saturday July 18 in the Memorial Hall.   Stalls cost £8 each and further details can be obtained from Heather Tilley 01959 522491. 

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Parents speak of "wonderful" Amber after Otford nursery car park horror
The devastated parents of a three-year-old girl who was killed after being hit by her mum's car in Otford, have said they will "never get over their tragedy".

Amber Whyte died after her mother's Toyota Picnic rolled backwards, trapping her against a gatepost, police believe.

The shocking incident occurred at 9am today in the car park of Russell House Pre-School as Amber's mother, Jacqui, dropped her off at nursery.

Mrs Whyte and her husband Luke issued a statement saying: "Amber is a wonderful, happy little girl and we can't believe she's not with us anymore. We love her with all our hearts and we her parents and her sister Melody will never get over this tragedy." [more]

Kent Messenger
Three year old dies in crash
A three-year-old girl has died following a crash in the car park of a private school in Otford this morning.
It is not yet known exactly what happened but the child suffered injuries when a car collided with a gatepost at about 9am.
She was taken by ambulance to hospital in Farnborough where she died.
The coroner’s office has been notified.
If anyone has any information on what happened they are urged to contact Kent Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538. [more]

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford  Methodist Church is holding a Children’s Summer Holiday Club at the church halls from  Monday August 17 until Friday August 21 for primary age children (4 to 11).   
The Club will run from 09.30 until 12.30 every day and cost £2.50 per day or £10 for the full week.  Telephone Andrew or Carrie Wearne on 01732 464977 or 07788 714529, to register and book a place.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Scouts would like to spread the load of planning, organising and running the cub and scout sections and are seeking help with various jobs behind the scenes.    They produced an interesting leaflet detailing the various vacancies they have for the recent Clubs and Associations Showcase in the Memorial Hall and a copy can be obtained from Ray Groom 01959 525413.  As well as helping with the individual sections they are particularly looking for a Chairperson for the five Group Executive meetings they hold annually and a Leader and Assistant Leader for the Beavers (6 to 8 year olds).  If you have been involved in Scouting or would like to become involved Ray would like to hear from you.