Otford, the village in Kent, South East England

tford.Info
the village in Kent, South East England

News [add item]
29 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Stan Miles ran the London Marathon last Sunday in three minutes over his target 6 hours, to raise funds for local charity Ellenor’s. He was in jubilant mood just after finishing despite an ankle injury picked up during training. He said he had been going like a train for the first 16 miles and was determined to finish the race despite his legs starting to seize up and the rain and cold. This year’s race was the coldest since the London marathon started and according to Stan he, and other competitors around him, were feeling so cold they were shivering as they ran or walked. Stan is still accepting sponsorship at his Barbers shop, as are the staff at Ellenors, in the High Street.
29 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Christian Aid will benefit from a Coffee Morning at the Otford Methodist Church between 10.00a.m. and 12.00 noon on Saturday May 8th. As well as coffee and cake there will be a car wash, a bring-and-buy, and stalls selling cakes, plants, book etc. If you have any queries please ring 01959 524195.
29 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Bank Holiday Monday, 31st May, is the date for this year’s Village Fete. So far there has been a great response from those looking to participate although there are still a number of positions available in the procession, whose theme this year is ‘Television’. The Fete Committee can assist if there are any logistical problems or questions so contact John Roberts 01959 522521. Reviving the Tug of War competition is still under review and if you are interested in competing please contact Mark Stevens 001959 525120.
29 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Life coaching is the topic of todays (Thursday) meeting of the Otford Oast WI in the Memorial Hall at 9.30a.m. Helena Binney will show, through examples in a question and answer session, how to achieve your ambitions in life which seem to disappear under the demands of day-to-day living. Visitors are welcome and a free crèche is available for the under 5’s.
29 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Bank Holiday Monday, 3rd May, there will be an Antiques and Collectables Fair in the Memorial Hall from 10.00a.m. until 4.00p.m. A donation from the proceeds will go to Hospice in the Weald and if you would like to book a stall or have any enquiries please call Eileen Smith 01732 451064.
29 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Ellenor Open Gardens season started at Whitestacks, and Meadow View, Eynsford this Sunday (25th April) and was very well supported. If you are interested in visiting gardens, while supporting this local charity, please call into Ellenors shop in the High Street to pick up a booklet which details their 2004 programme.
22 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Congratulations to Stan Miles, the barber, who ran the London Marathon on Sunday to raise funds for Ellenor’s whose shop and head office are situated in the High Street. If you haven’t already done so and would like to make a donation please call into the shop or visit Stan at Headquarters. (Ed. also congratulations to Len, our postman, who also completed it in a great time and to Rob Marsh too ... first one I believe Rob .. well done. Anyone else in Otford who also ran .. many congratulations!)
22 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Bank holiday Monday, 3rd May, there will be an Antiques and Collectables Fair in the Memorial Hall from 10.00a.m. until 4.00p.m. A donation from the proceeds will go to Hospice in the Weald and if you would like to book a stall or have any enquiries please call Eileen Smith 01732 451064.
22 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford & District Wine Clubs next meeting is on Wednesday 28th April at 7.00p.m. sharp in the Restaurant at Sainsbury’s, Otford Road. The club will be tasting a selection of South African and/or South American wines and this evening promises to equal, if not surpass, the Clubs last evening at Sainsbury’s a few years ago. The Wine Clubs Spring Buffet, in March, was a wonderful evening with a delicious supper, superior wines and a splendid cabaret and thanks go to all those who helped to make it such a fantastic evening. If you have any enquiries about the Club and its programme please call the Secretary 01732 761359.
22 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Cancer Research UK, the men’s cancer awareness campaign, will benefit from any profits from the Otford Tennis Clubs Charity Tournament this Sunday (25th April). The mixed doubles tournament starts at 10.30a.m. and if you don’t have a partner and would like to take part this can be arranged on the day. Tennis is a great social game and an enjoyable way to exercise in the fresh air. There are three excellent courts available at the club, next to the recreation ground in the High Street, and annual subscriptions range from £68 for adults to £35 for juniors. For information on coaching for juniors on Saturday mornings and for ladies 9.00-10.30a.m. on Friday mornings please ring Mary Evans 01959 523701 or email mary.evans@btinternet.com or if you would like to participate in this Sundays tournament and would like any other information about the club, please ring 01959 522736 or email joyce.sydney@btinternet.com.
22 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Ellenor Open Garden 2004 season starts at 2.00p.m. at Whitestacks, and Meadow View, Eynsford this Sunday (25th April). Whitestacks is approximately 150 yards up Crockenhill Lane on the right with parking in the arboretum and Meadow View, Lullingstone Lane, is about 400 yards from Whitestacks, on the right of the road towards Lullingstone Castle, with good on-site parking. In addition to viewing the gardens there will be some additional stalls, and a tombola, at Meadow View. You will be made very welcome if you do go along and will be supporting this local charity.
18 APR	PARISH COUNCIL - NEWSLETTER The April edition of the newsletter is now on-line, with update on Traffic Calming actions, the next Applause presentation 'Fantazia', latest on the Village Fete, news from village clubs and societies and all the current Planning Applications. A total of 35 villagers attended the recent Annual Parish Meeting on Monday, 22nd March. (Ed. please try to support future meetings about your* village.*)
15 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Buy your tickets now for the Barn Dance to raise funds for Cancer Research UK from Marian Wills 01959 522856 and Joyce Course 01732 761606. This events will be held at 7.30p.m. on Saturday 24th April in the Otford Memorial Hall. A Ploughman’s Supper and dessert will be provided but please bring your own drinks and glasses. Tickets cost £7.50.
15 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Tony is now baking for the newly re-opened Otford Bakery in the High Street and it is hoped that John will be rejoining him and in the not too distant future. It is lovely to have our bakery operational again and, as Tony specialises in cakes and pastries, they have a wide selection of these, breads, rolls and take-away snacks on offer. Please continue to support the bakery as we would be at a loss without it and the other village shops that rely on village trade.
15 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Ellenor Open Garden 2004 season starts at 2.00p.m. in Eynsford on Sunday 25th April with Whitestacks and Meadow View. Whitestacks, Crockenhill Lane, has spectacular views over the Darent Valley with many features including a pretty Mediterranean garden, a wide range of trees, shrubs and perennials, some complementary planting and a developing arboretum. Whitestacks is approximately 150 yards up Crockenhill Lane on the right with parking in the arboretum. Meadow View, Lullingstone Lane is about 400 yards from Whitestacks, on the right of the road towards Lullingstone Castle, and has good on-site parking. This is a very well kept garden with a number of mature apples trees and the owners have been developing the grounds over a period of some 50 years, including a maturing 2 acre arboretum to the rear of this open and spacious country garden. In addition to viewing the gardens there will be some additional stalls, and a tombola, at Meadow View.
15 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Sally Jones has recently published ‘The history of St. Michael’s School, Otford’’ This 256 page hardback book, with over 100 photographs, paints a vivid picture of the school from its foundation 132 years ago to the present day. The school has been at its 90 acre site off Row Dow since 1925 and, up until the late 1980’s, was a tiny preparatory boarding school for 50 or so boys and a handful of staff. The book is predominantly made up of memories from the people who actually attended the school – stories of pranks and dares, wartime adventures, missing home, harsh conditions and unappetising food, but it also reveals a tremendous sense of loyalty and camaraderie from the boys who saw it as home. These days the school is a leading co-educational Preparatory School with more than 400 pupils. The book costs £20 and can be purchased from sally@sevenoaks-life.co.uk, 01732 464533, or from the school after 21 April, when the Summer terms begins.
15 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford& Seal Division Guiders, and members of the Trefoil Guild, met last Tuesday to celebrate the outgoing Seal District Commissioner, Janet Boswell, and many years' service to girl guiding by Sue Lansley and Margaret McKendrick, amongst others. Jane Lawry, Division Commissioner, was delighted to see younger former Guides returning to help run Rainbow, Brownie and Guide Units although new volunteers are always welcome. You will be surprised how much fun can be had working with girls between 5 and 15 can be, so if you can help please contact Jane 01959 522360.
8 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford Methodist Church are holding a Good Friday Service tomorrow, Friday 9th April starting at 10.30a.m. followed by coffee and hot cross buns. Their Easter Service is at 11.00a.m. on Easter Sunday, 11th April, and you are invited to go along and take a flower to add to the cross of flowers if you wish.
8 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford Allotment Association will be running a Golf Game stall at the Village Fete on Monday May 31st as a way of repaying the generosity of the Fete Committee who have donated towards their new shed. They would be pleased to receive help on this stall or offers to organise another stall or raffle to raise funds. If you can help please contact Barbara Hine 01959 525468.
8 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Jennifer at the Post Office has one more week to go before she hands over to her successor, and leaves Otford, and many residents would like to express their gratitude for the excellent service she has provided over the last few years. We would like to wish her every success in her new venture in Wales and hope that she will be very happy there.
8 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford Primary School will shortly be launching a ‘Top Draw’ offering you a chance to win cash prizes while raising money for your local school. This great new fund raising effort will provide the school with vital extra funds to buy much needed equipment which will make a difference to the children’s education. You should shortly receive a pale blue leaflet through your letterbox explaining all about it.
8 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Community Speedwatch in partnership with the community. This scheme, consisting of a team of six volunteers from the parish, trained by the police in the use of a hand held radar gun, will address the actual, or perceived, problems of speed related offending in circumstances where direct enforcement is inappropriate and/or police resources are inadequate to meet the expectations of the parish. The team will only be able to report information direct to the police. If you would like to volunteer please telephone the Parish Council on 01959 524808 and give your name, address and a contact telephone number.
8 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford Mini Tennis Easter coaching courses for children from 3.5 years run during the weeks of 5th and 12th April and will include some Mini Tennis tournaments. For further information please ring Mary Evans 01959 523701 or look at their website www.otfordminitennis.co.uk.
8 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Cancer Research UK will benefit from a fund raising Barn Dance to be held at 7.30p.m. on Saturday 24th April in the Otford Memorial Hall. A Ploughman’s Supper and dessert will be provided but please bring your own drinks and glasses. Tickets cost £7.50 and can be purchased from Marian Wills 01959 522856 and Joyce Course 01732 761606.
1 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 RAIN (Rescued Animals in Need) held a very successful coffee shop and sale in the Memorial Hall last Friday raising in excess of £800.00. The organisers would like to thank everyone who helped and supported them.
1 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford Mini Tennis Club, which is an LTA accredited Mini Tennis Club, are once again holding Easter coaching courses for children from 3.5 years. This coaching will take place on the outdoor courts at Russell House School whilst Mini Tennis Orange, for children over 8 years, will take place at Otford Tennis Club. Courses run during the weeks of 5 th and 12 th April and will include some Mini Tennis tournaments. For further information please ring Mary Evans 01959 523701 or look at their website www.otfordminitennis.co.uk .
1 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford's three WI’s can be seen on Carlton TV’s ‘Tales from the Country’ at 7.30p.m.1st April. The crew followed various members of the Otford Oast WI while they were maintaining part of the village green, and interviewed some of their younger members, then filmed the Otford Afternoon WI’s 85th birthday party when they were entertained by members of Otford Evening WI’s choir.
1 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Palm Sunday, April 4th, will be celebrated by a procession starting at 10.30a.m. at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, following Jesus and the donkey up the High Street and ending with singing on the Village Green and coffee in St. Bartholomew’s Church. Traffic through the village will be stopped for a short time to allow the procession to pass so, if you are driving, please try and avoid the High Street at this time and take an alternative route or be patient.
1 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Barn Dance in aid of Cancer Research UK to be held at 7.30p.m. on Saturday 24th April in the Otford Memorial Hall. A Ploughman’s Supper and dessert will be provided but please bring your own drinks and glasses. Tickets cost £7.50 and can be purchased from Marian Wills 01959 522856 and Joyce Course 01732 761606.
1 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford Tennis Club is preparing its 2004 programme and one of the first events of the Summer season is a Charity Tournament on Sunday 25th April, with any profits from the event going to Cancer Research uk , the men’s cancer awareness campaign. It is a mixed doubles tournament, starting at 10.30a.m. but if you don’t have a partner this can be arranged on the day. If you would like to participate, or would like any other information about the club, please ring 01959 522736 or email joyce.sydney@btinternet.com. Tennis is a great social game and it is also an enjoyable way to exercise in the fresh air. There are three excellent courts available at the club, next to the recreation ground in the High Street, and annual subscriptions range from £68 for adults to £35 for juniors. For information on coaching for juniors on Saturday mornings and for ladies 9.00-10.30a.m.on Friday mornings please ring Mary Evans 01959 523701 or email mary.evans@btinternet.com
1 APR	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Please support Otford Allotment Associations Boot Sale 9.30a.m. on Saturday morning (3rd) April in the Memorial Hall. This event is being organised to raise funds for the new shed. Light refreshments will be available and the entrance fee is 50p.
VILLAGE NEWS ARCHIVE 2004 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2003 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2002