VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Primary School PTFA would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who organised, helped, took part and visited the Summer Fete 2008 on Saturday July 5. This is the main fundraising event of the year for the PTFA and early indications show that over £5,000 has been raised, which is absolutely fantastic.

After a shaky start, weather-wise, the day turned out bright and breezy to ensure an amazing turnout and a wonderful afternoon.

So many pupils, staff, parents, carers and supporters were involved behind the scenes donating items, manning stalls, flipping burgers and serving teas. Not forgetting those who helped with the giant clean-up afterwards.

Entertainments included football tournaments, art and dancing displays and competitions, not to mention Mr Denereaz, who bravely faced the long queue of punters waiting to 'wet sponge' the headmaster.

A sincere thank you goes to the many local businesses and individuals that sponsored stalls, raffle prizes and promotional materials as their support is really valued.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Allotments Association are holding their Open Day on Saturday between 9.30am and 4pm You are invited to go along for a free tour of their beautiful site and see the prize winning plots and hidden wildlife areas. Refreshments will be available in the Methodist Hall. For more details of the Allotments Association please contact Pauline Garfield 01959 525075 pauline.garfield@otford.net or visit www.otford.info/allotments.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Embroiderers Guild meet in the Memorial Hall from 10am on Saturday July 28 for an all day workshop entitled ‘Contemporary Whitework’ by Tracy Franklin. If you would like further information please telephone Pat Curtis 01959 532391.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Hospices of Hope Romania in the High Street would like to hear from you if you can spare a few hours once a week to help in their coffee shop. Please telephone Gill Saunderson 01959 524322 for further details.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Ellenors Open Gardens continue with the opening of St Margaret’s Manor Drive, Hartley DA3 8AW on Sunday July 27 between 2 and 5pm. The garden has many attractive features and is landscaped with lawn, shrubs, mixed flowerbeds and a large bridged pond, home for some extremely large Koi Carp. There is no parking in Manor Drive and Church Road but visitors should find parking available in Berrylands and Springcroft.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
3rd Otford Guides are seeking to recruit an extra person to join a new leadership team for the unit as the two current leaders are giving up at the end of this term. Although this is a big responsibility to take on it is extremely rewarding and will ensure that the group continues to flourish. If you would like further information please contact Alison Crawley 01959 525128 of Jane Woodrow-Clark 01959 523342

PARISH COUNCIL - JULY NEWSLETTER
The July edition of the newsletter is now on-line. Read all about: WE DID IT! - 3 Peaks Challenge, 3rd Otford Guides, Outdoor Summer Theatre Comes to Otford, Police Surgery, I Don’t Believe It - Scout Hut Theft, Otford Primary School Fete, Otford Village Memorial Hall, Otford Allotments Association, Otford Community Warden, Otford Petanque Club, Youth Van, Free Fun Days coming to Otford, Front Garden Competition, Otford Gardeners’ Society, Otford WI - The Music Man, Otford Afternoon WI, Otford Oast WI, Picture of the Month, Sevenoaks Embroiderers’ Guild, Citizens Advice Bureau Surgery, Otford & District Historical Society, A Fond Farewell from Richard McDowall & Family, Otford Library Hours and Events, Otford Primary Top Draw and Planning matters.

The Agenda for tonights Otford Parish Council meeting.

You can contact the Parish Council at The School House, 21 High Street Tel: 01959 524808, e-mail parishcouncil@otford.net with office hours 08:30 - 12:30 Mon to Fri.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
St. Barts would like to thank everyone who contributed to making their Fete last Saturday so successful. So many people were involved behind the scenes as well as manning stalls, organising and serving teas, and donating items for sale. The weather was kind enough to stay dry in the afternoon, after a very damp morning, which enabled full use of the beautiful gardens of Castle House lent by the kind permission of Mark and Irene Roy.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Cancer Research Summer Fair at Chevening is on Sunday July 13 between 2 and 6pm by kind permission of The Board of Trustees. Parking is free, as is entrance for children under 5, adults £3, under 16s £1. In the impressive gardens there is a lake and giant maze and there will be live music, various displays and a huge variety of stalls, games and refreshments.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Second Wind in Concert is tomorrow at 7.30pm in The Ship Theatre, Walthamstow Hall, tickets £6, concessions £5 including a glass of wine and other refreshments. If you would like more details, or to be part of this friendly band, then please contact Judith Spurway 01732 456305.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Visit Otford Primary Schools Summer Fete on Saturday at the school in the High Street from 12 noon. There will be lots to see and do including a football tournament, music, dancing and competitions, face painting, a grand raffle, plate smashing, a coconut shy, strawberries and cream, plant stall, bouncy castles and assault course, teas and cakes, beer tent, BBQ and an opportunity to 'wet sponge' the headmaster Mr. Denereaz. Entrance is 70p, children free.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Kent Air Ambulance will benefit from Sevenoaks Friendship Centres Coffee Morning between 10am and noon in the Memorial Hall on Saturday. There will be coffee, cakes and various stalls.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Hospices of Hope Romania in the High Street are seeking volunteers to help in their coffee shop as waitresses, manning the till, and to help out generally with the many jobs required to keep their customers happy. If you have a few hours to spare once a week please ring Gill Saunderson 01959 524322.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Say Cheese at the Otford Oast WI meeting on Thursday July 10 starting at 9.30am in the Memorial Hall. David and Eleanor Robins are cheesemongers from Sussex and are organising a blind tasting of local cheeses complete with palate cleansers. There will also be an opportunity to purchase the cheeses. A free crèche is available at every meeting, and your first visit is free, tea/coffee 50p. If you would like more details please contact their Secretary Jane Dean 01732 460512.