VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Folk Dance Club will be dancing tonight (Thursday), in the church hall, High Street, opposite The Bull, to recorded music with Margaret Browning calling. The club meets every Thursday from 8pm to 10pm 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 the dance as it 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 please contact Peter George 01959 522105.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Chevening Primary School are holding their summer fair in the grounds of Chevening House on Sunday June 29th between 2pm and 5.30pm. If you would like to apply for a stall or advertise in the fair programme please contact Karen Harris on 01732 462230.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Players invite you to a meet and greet evening from 8pm on Thursday May 15th in The Crown Pub, opposite the pond, to find out all about them. Friendly greetings and a chat are on offer together with a free first drink. Please make a note in your diary or ring Chris Masson 01959 522637 if you are unable to go along but would like further details.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Amherst Rotary Club is sponsoring a fantastic evening of jazz on Sunday at Bradbourne School, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 and are available at the Sevenoaks Tourist Office, Buckhurst Lane, 01732 450305, or by calling Roy Thomas 01732 456062.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Gardeners’ Society’s Spring Show is on Saturday in the Memorial Hall from 2.15pm, admission is 50p with under 16’s admitted free and refreshments will be available until 4pm. The show will concentrate on Spring flowers, photography, flower arrangements, cookery and junior classes. On Tuesday April 1st Jack Wheeler will talk to the Society about the splendour of Japanese Gardens before they visit his garden in Sevenoaks on May 3rd. Meetings start at 8pm in the Memorial Hall and admission is 50p members and £1 non members including refreshments. Please contact Janet Finney 01959 523760, email gardeners@otford.net or visit their website www.otford.info/gardeners for more information.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Embroiderers Guild meet in the parish church hall on Saturday for an all day workshop entitled Fabulous Flowers by Alison Hird. Morning sessions begin at 10am and afternoon at 2pm.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Afternoon WI meet in the Memorial Hall on Tuesday April 8th when Mr Shearan will talk about Rudyard Kipling, well loved poet and author. Meetings are held in on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, starting at 2pm. If you would like more details please contact Joyce Shaw 01959 522736.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
There will be a Citizens Advice Bureau Surgery between 10am and 12 noon on Tuesday April 1st in the School House, High Street.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Society's AGM will be held on Thursday April 17 at 8pm in the Memorial Hall. The main Speaker will be the Chairman of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Beauty Association and Jeff Lee will also provide an update on the Traffic Survey carried out on the Society’s behalf. For further information please contact Carol Griffiths carolgriffiths@waitrose.com or telephone Ken Gunderson 01959 522709.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Amherst Rotary Club is sponsoring a fantastic evening of jazz featuring acclaimed violinist Chris Garrick and the legendary jazz guitarist John Etheridge with proceeds benefiting Rotary charities. The concert takes place on Sunday March 30th at Bradbourne School, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 and are available at the Sevenoaks Tourist Office, Buckhurst Lane, 01732 450305, or by calling Roy Thomas 01732 456062.

John Etheridge has been called by Pat Metheny "one of the best guitarists in the world" and has played with numerous artists over the years. Chris Garrick is an extremely talented violinist, whom the Observer has designated as the "best young violinist in jazz today."

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Gardeners’ Society’s Spring Show on Saturday March 29th will be held in the Memorial Hall from 2.15pm. Admission is 50p with under 16’s admitted free and refreshments will be available until 4pm. The theme of the show will be Spring concentrating on Spring flowers, photography, flower arrangements, cookery and junior classes. For details of this event please contact Janet Finney 01959 523760, email gardeners@otford.net or visit their website www.otford.info/gardeners.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Embroiderers Guild meet in the parish church hall on Saturday March 29th for an all day workshop entitled Fabulous Flowers by Alison Hird. Morning sessions begin at 10am and afternoon at 2pm. Further information can be obtained from Pat Curtis 01959 532391.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Voting for Sevenoaks District Council's Young Volunteer of the Year award closes on Monday March 31st. The scheme aims to recognise young people aged 14 to 18 whose voluntary work shows personal commitment and achievement, good leadership, innovation and creativity that has had a measurable import or benefit. Nomination forms can be obtained from District, town and parish council offices libraries, community centres, voluntary and youth groups and schools or you can register and vote online at www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/youngpeople.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Evening WI have limited tables available at their Spring Boot Sale on Saturday May 10 between 9.30am and 12.30pm in the Memorial Hall. If would like to reserve one at this event please contact Heather Tilley 01959 522491.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford and District Wine Club invite you to their Spring Buffet at 8pm on Wednesday April 2nd in the Memorial Hall. There will be a delicious cold buffet, a cabaret of sixties music by Sovereign and a mystery raffle. Please take along your own liquid refreshments and glasses. Please telephone their Secretary 01732 761359 for tickets, £11.50 to members and £13.00 to guests.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Evening WI will be holding their Spring Boot Sale this year on Saturday May 10 between 9:30am and 12:30pm in the Memorial Hall. If you were unable to take up a table at the Three Peaks Boot Sale on Saturday 22nd you may like to reserve one at this event in May. Tables cost £9 each and can be booked by contacting Heather Tilley 01959 522491.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Rainbows, Brownies and Guides ask that you accept Sainsbury’s Active Kids Vouchers on their behalf and then drop them into 13 The Butts. If you can offer any time to help the group at their weekly meetings then please contact Jane Woodrow-Clark 01959 523342 for more details.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Oast WI, who meet on the third Thursday of the month between 9.30 and 11.30am in the Memorial Hall, advise a programme change as the advertised cookery demonstration by Pat McCann will now take place at their April meeting on Thursday 3rd. Instead, at their meeting at 9.30 this morning Elizabeth Ward, will give a talk on the village of Otford.

A free crèche is available at every meeting, your first visit if free, second visit £3, and annual membership is £27. If you would like further details please contact Patsy Groom 01959 524156.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
St Bartholomew's church are already planning their Summer Fair which will be held on June 21 and need to find space to store various items including donations for their White Elephant Stall.

If you can help by offering space in your garage or garden shed to store the White Elephants then please contact Margie Torry 01959 524463.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford and District Wine Club invite you to their Spring Buffet at 8pm on Wednesday April 2nd in the Memorial Hall. There will be a delicious cold buffet prepared by Brenda Montague including cold meats, salmon, eggs and prawns, salads, potatoes plus a range of yummy sweets followed by coffee. There will also be a cabaret of sixties music by ‘Sovereign’. Please take along your own liquid refreshments and glasses. As there were so many good reports of the Mystery Raffle, held at the February film show, this will be repeated and donations of wrapped raffle prizes would be welcome.

Tickets for this event cost £11.50 to members and £13.00 to guests. They promise a fun night out so if you are interested in going along please telephone their Secretary 01732 761359.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
A History Quiz Walk in Knole Park at 10am on Saturday April 12th is being held as part of the fund raising appeal at Rockdale. There is an option of doing a 3.3 or 5 mile walk with a quiz compiled with the help of Bridget Sackville-West of Knole and Bob Ogley local historian and author.

Tickets £15 include a Ploughmans Lunch and a glass of wine – family ticket £25 includes 2 adults and 2 children – from Lynn Tier on 01732 458762 or 01732 468650.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The World Garden at Lullingstone Castle opens it gates for the 2008 season on Saturday March 22nd when Tom Hart-Dyke, creator, will unveil the new Cacti and Succulent House containing the largest private collection of cacti and succulents in the UK. Jim Earles ‘Mr Cactus’ of Eltham will formally open the new greenhouse and more information is available from 01322 862114 or visit www.lullingstonecastle.co.uk.

PARISH COUNCIL - MARCH NEWSLETTER
The March edition of the newsletter is now on-line. Read all about: Copus Butchers, ‘3 Peaks’ Boot Sale, Police Surgery, Otford Allotments Association, Otford Gardeners’ Society, Otford Society, Otford Afternoon WI, Otford Library, Otford Community Warden, Otford Methodist Church, Aikido & Self Defence, Darent Valley Choir, Knole DFAS, Otford Oast WI, Otford – Précigné, Otford Wine Club, Charity Bridge Tea, Picture of the Month, Otford Players, 5-a-side Football - GIRLS, Sevenoaks DFAS, Sevenoaks Embroiderers’ Guild, Otford Methodist Wednesday Afternoons Women’s Fellowship, Sevenoaks Music Club, Citizens Advice Bureau Surgery, Otford & District Historical Society, Otford Book Fair, Otford Primary Top Draw, Secret Gardens, Dog Fouling, Rockdale Appeal and Planning matters.

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
Otford School PTA is holding a Spring Jumble Sale between 10.00 and 11.30am on Saturday in the school hall and refreshments will be available. If you would like further details please contact Caroline Wakefield 01732 740973.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Rainbows, Brownies and Guides are again collecting Sainsbury’s Active Kids vouchers and would be grateful for your support. Vouchers can be dropped into 13 The Butts. The group are always looking for people who would enjoy helping at the weekly meetings so if you can offer some time they would love to hear from you. Please contact Jane Woodrow-Clark 01959 523342 for more details.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Oast WI, who meet on the third Thursday of the month between 9.30 and 111.30am in the Memorial Hall, are looking forward to a cookery demonstration by Pat McCann at their meeting on March 13th. Pat will be demonstrating how to make some of her favourite recipes and the audience will be able to sample the results. A free crèche is available at every meeting, your first visit if free, second visit £3, and annual membership is £27. If you would like further details please contact Jane Dean 01732 460512.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
St Bartholomew's first churchyard working party of the year is on Saturday morning at 9.30am. You are invited to enjoy healthy exercise in the fresh air, tidying hedges, borders and assorted corners of the churchyard. Everyone welcome.

The Church Fair committee are also keen to hear from anyone who might be able to provide space in their garage or garden shed to store the White Elephants prior to their Fair on June 21st. If you can help please contact Margie Torry 01959 524463.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Allotments Association meet in the Club Room of the Memorial Hall at 8pm on March 12 to hear their President, Gordon Darby, talk about "The Gardeners Year". Following the talk there will be an open forum and entry to non-members is only £1. They invite you to go along or visit their website www.otford.info/allotments for further details.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford and District Wine Club’s Spring Buffet, with cabaret, is on Wednesday April 2nd. Tickets to members £11.50, guest tickets £13.00. If you would like further details please contact their Secretary 01732 761359.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
As part of the Otford-Precigne village twinning programme Otford will be welcoming a group of 12 visitors from Precigne during the weekend of May 9-11. If you are interested in meeting these visitors or in visiting Precigne in the future then please contact Jane Lawrey 01959 522360 as soon as possible so that the programme can be finalised.

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Aikido Club success
The Goshinaikikwai Aikido club, based in the Scout Hall, Otford, sent a 5 man team to Folkestone on Friday 29th February to take part in an Aikido competition. Two members each won a silver medal, and in the team event the 5 members each received a bronze medal.

Well done to them all.

Dudley Osborne.