Otford, the village in Kent, South East England

tford.Info
the village in Kent, South East England

2002 News [add item]
12 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford Folk Dance Club’s Christmas party will be held in the parish church hall, High Street, on Thursday, December 19, at 8pm. The Footnotes Band will be playing, with Eddie and Morris calling yet again. First visit free, then admission/ membership £1, including tea or coffee and biscuits. You are invited to go along or call Morris on 01959 522355 for more details.
12 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 You are invited next Thursday, December 19, (not Friday as stated in the churches’ Christmas card) to join the Methodist Church Carol Singing in the Willow Park area. Meet at Telston Stores at 6.30pm. The collection will go to NCH Action for Children and refreshments will follow the singing.
12 DEC	PARISH COUNCIL December Newsletter - Village of the Year 2002 Congratulations to Sutton in Cambridgeshire overall winner of The Village of the Year 2002. The Millennium Hotel, Grosvenor Square was a wonderful setting for the ceremony. The Princess Royal appeared to thoroughly enjoy the lunch and her speech was outstanding, no notes at all. She is genuinely interested in protecting the Rural Communities of the country. The sponsors Calor Gas and the film crew were delighted to see us again and the whole occasion was very jolly indeed. Parish Cllr Elizabeth Ward and her husband Cliff were delighted and honoured to receive the large cast iron plaque as Regional winners for South and South East England and a cheque for £1500 on behalf of the village. Once again a big THANK YOU to everyone for the commitment to the village entry. You are all invited to a Reception in the Village Hall on Sunday 15th December between 2pm to 5pm to see the presentation and video presented to the judges.Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served.
29 NOV	NEWS ITEM The Sevenoaks Branch of The Embroiderers' Guild meets at Otford Village Memorial Hall The next meeting is on November 30th when we will be having our Pre- Christmas Social with a Quiz and informal Christmas decoration competition. The meeting begins at 2 p.m. Non members £2-50. Meetings next year begin on January25th when the subject of our talk will be Lacemaking. Further meetings will be held on: February 22nd, March 22nd, April 26th, May 31st, June 21st, July 26th, September 27th, October 25th, November 29th. More information can be obtained by contacting Barbara Savager on 01959 523484
28 NOV	OPC NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER Otford Primary School needs midday meal supervisors urgently. The hours are from 12 noon to 1.15pm, with a choice of days to suit and a free lunch. The job is suitable for those over 18, including older people. The School also needs a part-time cleaner. Please contact the School office on 01959 523145 if interested in either job. Urgent P.S. The Governors of the School are looking for a Clerk to act as Secretary for 5/6 meetings a year, usually at 4.30pm. Telephone David Matthews (Chair) on 01732 462485 for more information.
28 NOV	OPC NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER Support your shops in Otford We are very fortunate in having such a number and variety of shops, pubs and restaurants in our village, Our local traders rely on your support especially at Christmas, so please shop in Otford as much as you can. Bill Skinners will have a late night opening till 8.00pm on Thursday 28th November and then on Thursday 5th December a number of other shops in the High Street will also be open until 8.00pm.
28 NOV	OPC NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER Otford Gardeners Society. The Annual Christmas Social will take place in the village hall on Saturday 7th December commencing at 7pm. Tickets can be obtained from Joan James, 27, Willow Park, Otford at £15 each and members and non-members will be very welcome.
28 NOV	OPC NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER The Christmas Guide Post Box will be in Otford Library between Tuesday 3rd December and Friday 20th December inclusive, during opening hours. Stamps are 15p. The Christmas cards will be delivered in the village of Otford by the Guides during the weekends of 14/15th and 21/22nd December. Last year, through the Ugandan Scouts Sunrise Project for street children they were able to sponsor two boys for two terms at the Koboko Vocational School in North West Uganda. They are most appreciative of your support and are hoping that we shall be able to continue the sponsorship into the New Year. The Guides would like to thank the Librarians at Otford and also to all residents for allowing them to deliver your cards last year and they look forward to another busy Christmas this year.
22 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Spring House Family Centre Christmas bazaar takes place at 1pm on November 30 at the centre in the grounds of Sevenoaks Hospital. Gifts, cakes and sweets, good books, linens, children’s clothes, toys and bric-a-brac of excellent quality will be on sale and there will be a tombola for adults and one for children, a prize draw, face painting, games and competitions. Father Christmas will be there and refreshments will be available.
22 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 New members are sought by the fete committee. It is not too late to put in a request for a donation from this year’s event. Please contact Andrew 01959 525120 or Mark 01959 523881 for information.
22 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford and District Wine Club meet at 8pm on Wednesday, November 27, for a talk about the National Trust by Mike Turner. Mike is an experienced and witty speaker who has been connected with the NT for many years. Cheese and biscuits will be provided but bring your own drinks. Guests £3, members free. Telephone 01732 761359.
11 NOV	BARBARA DARBY - A SONG FOR JAMES Barbara would like to thank those who supported her 'A Song for James' concert. About 130 people attended and it is hoped to send £1400 [now c. £2,000 .. Ed.] to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
31 OCT	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford Methodist Church is holding its annual Christmas bazaar on November 16 between 10am and noon. There will be many stalls and you are invited to go along and buy your Christmas presents while enjoying a cup of coffee.
31 OCT	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 The national Village of The Year final judges will be coming to Otford during the week November 15-20. Otford has already won the titles Kent Village of the Year, South and South-east England Village of the Year, and been judged the most outstanding village in an area embracing Kent, East and West Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire. Well done Otford, its inhabitants, businesses and the parish council. Keep up the good work, keep the village buzzing during the judging period, and let’s hope we make it three in a row.
31 OCT	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 The Allotments Association held its 49th AGM on Saturday, October 26, and looks forward to celebrating its own jubilee next year. To further the cause of healthy exercise and home-grown vegetables, the primary school has taken a plot and will be assisted by allotment holders in its maintenance. There are still plots available at a moderate rent for anyone interested in gardening. Please contact the parish office for further information.
25 OCT	BARBARA DARBY VIDEOS Congratulations to Barbara Darby ( Video ) who entered her Video ' The Otford Village Sign' into the Kent Amateur Video & Film Festival at Canterbury on 28th September. Her Video won her the 'Maiden Entry Trophy' for contestants who have not won a trophy in the Kent Festival.The judge, in his comments, indicated that this was an excellent documentary on the design and production of the Millennium sign for Otford Village. He was particularly impressed that the movie maker was also the key character in the construction of the Video having created and then made the sign in mosaic.
24 OCT	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 We won the Regional Village of the Year 2002 Competition and will now go forward to the National Competition, which will be judged in about a month's time. Well done Otford, keep up the good work, and let's hope that it will be three wins in a row.
24 OCT	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Unforeseen circumstances have caused the Otford Players’ November production of 'Ladies in Retirement' to be cancelled. The next Players production will be in the Spring. Ticket money already paid for the November production will be reimbursed by contacting Hilary on 01959 523017. The Players regret disappointing their audience but the cancellation was unavoidable.
10 OCT	FOOTBALL - OTFORD UNITED Otford United are facing a goalkeeping crisis just a month into the new season. Reserve keeper Tom Sullivan broke his leg during an accidental clash and will be out for the rest of the season. First team keeper Tony Diment is also currently sidelined by injury. The club urgentlly require cover, preferably a keeper with Kent County League experience. For further details contact Otford FC secretary David Dugay on 01689 881772 (work), 07802 736279 (mobile) or 01732 882621
10 OCT	ELLENORS Funds for the Otford-based Hospice of Hope Romania appeal run by the Ellenor Foundation will be boosted by a concert, Talents of Gold, being held on Saturday 12 October. Proceeds of the event will be split with St John's Church, in Tunbridge Wells, where the concert takes place at 7.30pm. Tickets at £5 to include refreshments and any further details from 01959 525110
10 OCT	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Coffee morning in aid of Motor Neurone Disease Association on Friday, November 1 more
10 OCT	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Tickets for the Ladies in Retirement, the next production by Otford Players, are selling well at £4 for Thursday, November 14 and £5 for Friday and Saturday, November 15 and 16. The ticket price includes a programme and refreshments. Book early to avoid disappointment 01959 523017
10 OCT	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Barn Dance on Saturday, October 19, at 8pm in Otford Church Hall more
10 OCT	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Kent Village of the Year regional judges will be visiting Otford on Thursday morning for two hours more
9 OCT	OTFORD BAKERY John Shilling, the current baker behind the scenes, has now taken over management and extended the opening hours to be Mon - Fri 8am until 4pm and Saturday mornings. [can recommend the Apple Danish .. Ed.]
3 OCT	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Congratulations to Jenny Towne, widow of the former vicar of Otford, who married Gordon McMillan, a widower from Battle, at St Mary the Virgin, Battle, last Saturday, September 28.
3 OCT	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 The Second Otford Brownie Pack has just been awarded certificates for the Biggest Bug, the Cooking Bug, and the Theme Evening, as winners in the Kent West County Bug Competition. Well done Brownies and we wish you well in the London and South-East Region finals.
3 OCT	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 There will be a boot fair in the memorial hall on Saturday, October 19, to raise funds for the Autistic Association more
3 OCT	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford village fete committee recently held a well attended open meeting at which Sue Isted, Linda Linton, and John and Rossalyn Ward decided to stand down. They have all been tireless workers over the years and will be missed. A number of people have volunteered to join the committee including Lesley Edmeads, Andy Wallace, Chris Humphries and Gerry Froggatt and the committee is always looking out for new members. There was a consensus that the 2002 fete was a very successful event, with over 6,000 people attending. Full details of the accounts are available to view at the Heritage Centre. Next year’s fete will be held on May 26 and the theme for the procession is Circus.
30 SEP	OTFORD SOCIETY September Newsletter - next meeting 24th October - Traffic Calming measures more
28 SEP	PARISH COUNCIL Special Newsletter - Kent Village of the Year 2002 more
18 SEP	PARISH COUNCIL Otford won Best Village in Kent last night, we won two out of five categories, came second in another and were commended in another! We now go on to the national finals in December.