Otford, the village in Kent, South East England

tford.Info
the village in Kent, South East England

Otford Village News [post your own Otford Village News item]
22 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Happy Christmas and thank you to everyone who contributed information throughout 2005 to keep us abreast of Village events.
22 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford Folk Dance Club will be dancing the night away tonight (22nd) to the Pilgrims Way band with Eddie calling between 8.00 and 10.00p.m. in the Church Hall. There will be a range of folk, square and barn dances of English, American, Scottish and Irish origin and after a first night free visit it costs just £1.50 per night including tea/coffee and biscuits. On the 29th December they will be dancing to recorded music, again with Eddie calling, but on Monday January 2nd the Hersham Revellers will be playing in the Memorial Hall for dancing between 8.00p.m. and 10.30p.m. There will be an American supper, where people are asked to bring ‘finger food’ to add to the buffet, and tickets cost £5 from Joan 01959 524609 or £5.50 on the door.
22 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford Methodist Church have a Christingle Service at 5.00p.m. on Christmas Eve and the family service on Christmas day at 10.30a.m. There will be a Watchnight service on New Years Eve at 11.30p.m. and a service at 10.30a.m. on New Years Day.
22 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 St. Bartholomew's have three services on Christmas day at 8.00a.m, 9.30a.m. and 10.40a.m, a Watchnight service at 11.30p.m. on New Years Eve, followed by the ringing-in of the New Year, and seasonal refreshments in church. There will be two services on New Years Day at 8.00a.m. and 9.30a.m. and an open house on Monday 2nd January in the vicarage between 11.00a.m. and 3.30p.m. when all are welcome.
22 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Christmas and New Year holidays mean that I will need copy for the 29th December and 5th January editions by Friday (23rd). If you are a member of a local organisation planning events for the new year please make sure I am on your mailing list to receive advance notice so that details appear in this column.
15 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford Allotments are coming to the end of their 52nd year and the Parish Council are delighted to learn that all plots are now occupied. It is pleasing to note that most of the new tenants registering this year are young couples with families - hopefully ensuring the future of this site for many years to come. A small waiting list exists, and if you would like to register your name or have a look around the site, please ring Barbara Hine 01959 525468.
15 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Demelza social on December 2nd was a great success with £640.00 raised at a very enjoyable evening.
15 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Sainsbury's roundabout on the A225 is the target of Andrew Barber, and the Otford Society, who are trying to get the Highways Authority to improve the road signing. Two lanes enter this roundabout and Andrew is pressing for road arrows on the north side of the roundabout dedicating the inner carriageway to be Sainsbury’s only and the outer lane straight on to Sevenoaks. With ever heavier traffic the incidents of being cut-up increase and the sudden breaking when vehicles pull in front at the restricted exit greatly increases the danger. If you feel the same please write to: The Manager, Highways Authority Unit, Sevenoaks DC, Argyle Road, Sevenoaks TN13 1HG or to receive a copy of Otford Society’s newsletter setting out the argument in more detail please ring Andrew Barber 01959 523550.
15 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford Methodist Church goers invite you to sing carols with them through the streets of Otford from 6.45p.m. Tuesday 20th December meeting at Telston Stores. Refreshment will follow and all money raised will go to NCH action for children. There will also be favourite carols at the Candlelight service at 6.30p.m. on Sunday 18th December, a Christingle Service at 5.00p.m. on Christmas Eve and the family service on Christmas day at 10.30a.m.
15 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 St. Bartholomew's service of nine lessons and carols by candlelight takes place at 6.30p.m. Saturday 18th December followed by seasonal refreshments in the Parish church hall and on Christmas eve there will be midnight choral communion at 11.30p.m. preceded by carols at 11.10p.m. There will be three services on Christmas day at 8.00a.m. 9.30a.m. and 10.40a.m.
15 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford post office extended Saturday opening hours are available this Saturday (17th) to assist customers at this busy time of the year. Full post office services, cards, stationery, confectionery and helium filled balloons for all occasions are available. 01959 522074.
15 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Guide Christmas post box closes tomorrow (16th), stamps cost just 15p, and cards will be delivered in the village by brownies and guides with proceeds going to the Hospice in the Weald and Kent Air Ambulance.
14 DEC	PARISH COUNCIL - DECEMBER NEWSLETTER The December edition of the newsletter is now on-line, including: details of lots of events happening in the village for Christmas, a reminder of the many videos that characterise Otford, village news items and Seasonal Greetings from all at the Parish Council, including Bobbie and Becky! 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.
8 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Christmas carols at St. Bartholomew’s church 7.30p.m. this Sunday (11th) directed by Kevin Grafton, entrance £5 for adults, with children under 16 admitted free, including refreshments of wine/soft drinks and mince pies during the interval. There will be a variety of Christmas music, both formal and informal, and the audience will also have the opportunity to sing along with traditional English carols during the concert. Proceeds will be divided between the Children’s Society and the choir fund.
8 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Tree of Light service 7.30p.m. around the Christmas tree on the green tomorrow (9th) followed by hot drinks and mince pies at the vicarage. If you wish to remember a loved one who has died, or to give thanks for someone still alive who continues to enhance your life, you can pick up a label from the parish office and give a donation to Hospice in the Weald.
8 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford postmaster, Darren Mitchell, is extending his Saturday opening hours on the 10th and 17th December to assist his customers at this busy time of the year. Full post office services, cards, stationery, confectionery and helium filled balloons for all occasions are available. 01959 522074.
8 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Guide Christmas post box closes on Friday 16th December with stamps costing just 15p. and cards will be delivered in the village by brownies and guides. This year’s proceeds will go to the Hospice in the Weald and Kent Air Ambulance.
8 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Trafalgar Remembered a video/DVD is on sale at the Heritage Centre for just £6.50, and £1 of each sale goes to the centre and £1 to Otford Players. To purchase ring 01959 524808 or Barbara Darby 01959 523339. Also available from the Parish Office are 2006 calendars with local pictures, produced by Sevenoaks Round Table and costing £3 each or 2 for £5.
8 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 RADIO report that the public inquiry into the Well Road development by Laing’s was well attended with interesting information provided for both sides of the argument. Details of the Inspectors findings will be published as soon as they become known.
8 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 PCSO Dave Birchell will be holding his next police surgery at the Parish Office between 11.00a.m. and 12.30p.m. on Thursday 15th December so if you have any concerns please do go along and talk to him.
8 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Parcels of Love are again being collated by Sally Woestmann and details of the list of items requested will appear in January.
1 DEC	OTFORD' SOCIETY The December Newsletter is now online, with a details of recent planning issues, RADIO and the aims of the Society. Also wartime memories from Wally Kirsch alongside the 60th Anniversary of World War II, celebrations too this year for Trafalgar Bi-Centennial and other items of interest for all Otford villagers. If you are not a member yet (over 1,100 in Otford), please consider joining the Otford Society, contact otfordsociety@otford.net .
1 DEC	ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S The December edition of the Parish Magazine is now on-line, with details of events and services celebrating Christmas at St Bartholomew's. In January we shall again be sending out to the former Jugoslavia our 'Parcels of Love' via Oak Hall. The Parish Magazine contains sections also from the many village groups and organisations. St. Barts Church Office and the Vicar, Rev. Pat Hopkins, can be contacted at st.bartholomews@otford.net or 01959 523185.
1 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 St Bartholomew's Church Christmas carol concert will be held at 7.30p.m. on Sunday 11th December. The choir, direct by Kevin Grafton, will perform a variety of Christmas music, both formal and informal, and the audience will have the opportunity to sing along with traditional English carols during the concert. Entrance is £5 for adults with children under 16 admitted free including refreshments of wine/soft drinks and mince pies during the interval. Proceeds will be divided between the Children’s Society and the choir fund.
1 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford Post Office will be open until 3.30p.m. on the next three Saturdays in December, 3rd, 10th and 17th and post master Darren Mitchell hopes his extended hours will assist his customers. As well as full post office services Darren offers an extensive range of cards, stationery, confectionery and helium filled balloons for all occasions. 01959 522074.
1 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Guide Christmas post box is now open in the library until Friday 16th December with stamps costing just 15p. The cards will be delivered in the village by brownies and guides and this years proceeds will go to the Hospice in the Weald and Kent Air Ambulance.
1 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Charity Dance with a fish and chip supper in aid of Demelza Hospice for Children, if tomorrow (2nd) at 7.30p.m in the Memorial Hall. Tickets £10 available from Eve Wiltshire 01959 524887. Bring your own drinks and glasses.
1 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Gatehouse day nursery, for children 2.5 to 5 years, located in the newly refurbished Scout Hall, Station road, is open between 9.15a.m. and 12.00 noon Monday to Friday and not 10.00a.m. to 1.00p.m. as reported last week. The fully qualified, Ofsted registered, staff would be happy to provide more information on 07791 935960.
1 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Tickets for Otford & district wine clubs Christmas Social, £15 for members and £18.50 for guests, are selling fast. The evening begins at 7.15p.m. in the Memorial Hall on Saturday 10th December with sherry, followed by a full Christmas dinner plus mince pieces, coffee and mints. There will be a raffle, joke competition and dancing to music by Bernard de Soy.
1 DEC	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Congratulations to Bethany Crawley, aged 10, who has been offered a place in the under 11’s National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain for 2006. Auditions for thousands of talented young musicians were held nationally and Bethany was offered one of only 7 flute places. She belongs to Otford’s Bartholomew wind band, run by Mrs Jean Kelsey who is also her music teacher, who thinks that Bethany really deserves this opportunity. Mrs Kelsey, the wind band and Bethany’s family want her to know how proud they are of her achievement.
VILLAGE NEWS ARCHIVE 2005 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 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

Otford

Otford Village Kent UK