VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Kent Dahlia Society is holding a plant sale on Saturday from 9.30am - 12.00 noon in the Church Hall. Perennials, shrubs, dahlias, and vegetables will be shown and refreshments will be available. Admission is free and all are welcome.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Apologies to Paul Castleton who scored Otford Colts Football Clubs opening goal at their recent Cup Final match at Bromley Football Club. This goal was wrongly attributed to Luke Blackaby so well done Paul.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford sculptress Angela Bishop is this year exhibiting her work as part of South East Open Studios, along with 10 other local artists, at Dibgate Farm, Chevening Road, Sundridge. Work can be viewed from Saturday June 7 until Sunday June 22 between 10am and 5pm on the 7, 8, 11,12, 14, 15,18, 19, 21 and 22 except on Fridays 13 and 20 when the studio will be open until 8pm. Arrangements can be made with Angela for a private viewing at her home by telephoning 01959 523203 or emailing angela@dbishop29.fsnet.co.uk.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford and District Wine Club are holding their annual BBQ at Sidehill, Pilgrims Way, Kemsing on Sunday June 29 starting at 12.30pm. Please take your own liquid refreshments, glasses, chairs and cutlery. Members are free but guests will be charged £5. Most members know the location, and where to park, but if you have any queries please ring the secretary on 01732 761359.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The ‘Transition Town’ idea is a community initiated and led movement with a fresh new way of looking at Climate Change and the energy crisis without getting depressed. To find out more the film ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ will be shown on Tuesday June 17 at 8pm in the Memorial Hall. Watching the film is free but it is £2 each to cover hall hire charges. To reserve a seat email susanfallmann@hotmail.com or telephone 01732 454820 for any more information.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Embroiderers’ Guild meet at 10am on Saturday in the Memorial Hall for own, or group, project work and at 2pm to hear Roz Snowden talk about Miniature Textiles and Lace. You are invited to join this friendly group and enjoy their home-made cakes. Everyone is welcome. For furthers details please contact Jane Barratt 01732 833588 or Sylvia Grafton 01732 452117.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Folk Dance Club meet tonight at 8pm in the Church Hall, High Street, opposite The Bull PH, dancing to recorded music with Graham Cole calling. All are welcome for a friendly evening of all kinds of folk dancing. 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
Otford Community Warden Paul Robertson holds a weekly surgery every Tuesday at the School house between 11am and 12 noon to discuss any problems and community issues. PCSO Dave Birchall’s next Police Surgery is on Thursday June 5 between 11am and 12.30pm in the School House. Please go along to the School House surgeries if you have any problems you would like to discuss.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Library is holding an event by local author Chris McCooey who will be talking about his books on unusual Kent Characters on Wednesday May 28 at 7.00pm. Tickets are available at both Sevenoaks and Otford Library at a cost of £2.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford and District Wine Club are running the Ice Cream stall at the village fete on Monday May 26 and need help from members to man the stall. If you could go along and put in an hour or so filling cones with ice cream it would be most appreciated. The last 3 ice cream stalls at the fete have been dismal failures, due to the weather, so they are hoping that this one will be a success.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
What are you doing on Saturday May 24? Why not take the family on a level walk around Oxenhill Meadow and Shaw? Enjoy learning about this very special area from Jonathan Webb, Woodland Consultant for Sevenoaks District Council. There is no charge, and dogs are welcome. Meet at the bottom of Tudor Drive at 2pm.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The ‘Transition Town’ idea is a community initiated and led movement with a fresh new way of looking at Climate Change and the energy crisis without getting depressed. The idea is to look at where we are as a community now and prepare and adapt positively so we can cope and thrive on fewer fossil fuels and ever changing climate.

Imagine your dream village or town, now get together with other members of the community to make that happen. For example, we probably all want a safer, cleaner, friendlier place with healthier food, less noise, less traffic and a better quality of life with more time to do things we enjoy.

A Transition Town would draw up a plan of how to get to the ideal scenario and the community would work together to achieve it. There are 40 towns in UK that have already begun and 600 more thinking about it. If you want to find out more look up www.transitiontowns.org.

The film ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ will be shown on Tuesday June 17 at 8pm in the Memorial Hall, to reserve a seat email susanfallmann@hotmail.com. Watching the film is free but it is £2 each to cover hall hire charges. Discussion follows with free refreshments. Telephone 01732 454820 for any more information.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Support your village fete on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon at the recreation ground. There is still time to enter your dog for the extensive dog show and competition being organised by Elands Veterinary Clinic, Dunton Green. If you would like an entry form please contact Elands on 01732 452333.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Embroiderers’ Guild meet on Saturday May 31 in the Memorial Hall at 10am for own, or group, project work and at 2pm to hear Roz Snowden talk about Miniature Textiles and Lace. You are invited to join this friendly group and enjoy their home-made cakes. Everyone is welcome. For furthers details please contact Jane Barratt 01732 833588 or Sylvia Grafton 01732 452117.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Michael Hepworth’s replacement as Hall Manager at Otford Village Memorial Hall is being sought. This would ideally suit someone who has taken early retirement who is looking for part-time work. Ron Dullage has further details 01959 522007.

PARISH COUNCIL - MAY NEWSLETTER
The May edition of the newsletter is now on-line. Read all about: Otford Village Fete, Police Surgery, Otford Village Memorial Hall, Otford Allotments Association, Otford Community Warden, Otford Library, Otford Solar System, Otford Primary School Fete, Scouting in Otford, Otford Gardeners’ Society, 3 Peaks Challenge, Knole DFAS, Otford Afternoon WI, Otford Oast WI, Otford Wine Club, Book Fair, Picture of the Month, Sevenoaks DFAS, Sevenoaks Embroiderers’ Guild, Nature Walk, Otford Methodist Wednesday Afternoons Women’s Fellowship, Citizens Advice Bureau Surgery, Otford & District Historical Society, Footballs, St Bartholomew’s Church Fair, Otford Primary Top Draw, Bratby Family Thank you, Otford Colts Congratulations, Rockdale Diamond Jubilee Ball, South East Open Studios, Hedges 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.

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
JR's School of Motoring
John Ward - ADI your local Otford Driving Instructor
Patient, Understanding & Professional

Manual & Automatic lessons available

If you are nervous about starting lessons or or just need some confidence lessons I can help.
Motorway and Pass Plus also available

Please ask about my special discounts: Tel no: 01959 525260 or Mobile no: 07887 721735

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Fete is on Bank Holiday Monday May 26 and the theme this year is ‘That’s Entertainment!’ If you, or your group, would like to take part in the parade please contact Jacky Cottrell on villagefete@otford.net. Otford will be vieing with Crufts in an extensive dog show and competition being organised by Elands Veterinary Clinic, Dunton Green. If you would like an entry form please contact Elands on 01732 452333.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The Heritage Centre is setting up an exhibition on The Hop Gardens and Oast Houses of Otford in two weeks time. It will feature a working model of an oast house as well as an exhibition of by-gone photos of all the Otford oast houses. There will also be maps showing where the hop gardens were once sighted. If you have any information on the Otford hop gardens please get in touch with Rod Shelton on rod.shelton@tiscali.co.uk or ring him on 07780 903 571

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Evening WI’s Boot Sale on Saturday was a great success and they would like to thank all those people who came out in the sunshine and supported them. There were plenty of well-stocked stalls and the refreshments did a brisk trade. After all their hard work they were pleased to have a healthy balance towards their running costs and their treasurer went home smiling.

Their June meeting is on Thursday 12 when the speaker will be a representative from Waitrose talking about Food & Drink. If you would like to know more go along and join them for the evening at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
After 10 years splendid service Michael Hepworth will be leaving his position as Hall Manager at Otford Village Memorial Hall at the end of this month and his replacement is being sought. The job involves general maintenance work, liaison with hirers and assisting in the day-to-day running of the hall. The new Manager would need to be at the hall for a couple of hours each weekday morning and to assist with cleaning up and locking up after weekend events, currently around 9 or 10 per year. This would ideally suit someone who has taken early retirement who is looking for part-time work. Ron Dullage has further details 01959 522007.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Primary School Summer Fete is on Saturday July 5 between 12 noon – 3pm. As everyone's thoughts turn to summer, here's a big reminder to 'keep the date free'. This is always an immensely popular event with lots of excellent stalls and attractions. There will be arena events, an inflatable assault course and mega slide, teas and cakes, a grand raffle, BBQ and beer tent, face painting and lots, lots more. Entrance is 70p and children are free! Go along and support your local school as it's sure to be fun for all the family. For more details contact Julie Hudson on 01732 763340.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Christian Aid will benefit from the Coffee Morning and Sale at Otford Methodist Church on Saturday from 10am. There will be cakes, plants and bric-a-brac stalls and also a car-washing service. They would like your support to raise money in an effort against world poverty and natural disaster.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Oast WI June Meeting is on June 19 and will not be Jewellery mending as advertised. Instead Dr. Suzanne Henwood NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) Master Practitioner, is going to talk about how to help our children learn to spell more effectively and confidently.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Kumon Maths and English Study Centre open days are next Tuesday 20 and Friday 23 in the Memorial Hall between 3.30pm and 5pm, all ages welcome. Sponsorship forms for the charity Mathathon in the Memorial Hall between 3.30pm and 5.30pm on June 3 can be collected from the Memorial Hall on Tuesdays and Fridays between 3.30pm and 6pm or contact 020 8333 9550 otford@kumoncentre.co.uk.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford's Annual Assembly is at 7.30pm in the Club Room of the Memorial Hall on Monday.

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Otford Heritage Centre - 'From Poke To Pocket'

How many children have asked you: “What’s an oast house for?” From Saturday 24th May, for two months, there will be a new exhibition at Otford Heritage Centre titled “From Poke to Pocket”*.

It tells the story of how hops - the mainstay crop of the village for centuries, were dried, pressed and stored ready for market. Old & new photos of the all the Otford oast houses will be on display as well as old parish maps showing the location of the hop gardens. Centre of the exhibition will be a doll’s house-style model of a working oasthouse where children and adults can look inside to see how the whole Poke to Pocket process took place.

Otford Heritage Centre Open week-days from 9.30 - 1; and weekends from 2.30 – 4.30.
*(A Poke is a sack of freshly harvested hops. A Pocket is the 6ft tall sack of pressed dried hops that went to the brewery.)

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The 2nd Otford Brownies enjoyed a Disco Dancing session last week thanks to your donations of Sainsbury’s Active Kids vouchers. They would like to say a big thank you to all residents who kindly donated their vouchers which made this successful event possible. Vouchers can be collected until the 4th June and can be posted through the letterbox of 13 The Butts. If you would like details of Girl Guiding in Otford please contact Jane Woodrow-Clark 01959 523342.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Kumon Maths and English Study Centre is holding two events in the village, the first are open days on May 20th and 23rd in the Memorial Hall between 3.30pm and 5pm, all ages welcome. The second is a sponsored charity Mathathon in the Memorial Hall between 3.30pm and 5.30pm on June 3rd. This is a fun event for children to answer as many sums as they can in ten minutes and raise money for Save the Children. Refreshments will be available and sponsorship forms can be collected from the Memorial Hall on Tuesdays and Fridays between 3.30pm and 6pm. If you would like further details please contact 020 8333 9550 or e-mail: otford@kumoncentre.co.uk.

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
Otford Evening WI are holding their Spring Boot Sale on Saturday from 9.30am to 12.30pm in the Memorial Hall. Entrance is 50p, children free, and refreshments will be available.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Cheer our barber Stan Miles, Lenny Metcalf and Matthew Oakham off at 2pm on Sunday from Otford Pond on their sponsored cycle ride to Précigné. Hospices of Hope Romania and Otford / Précigné Twinning will benefit and if you have not already sponsored them, or donated, then please contact Jane Lawrey on 01959 522360, give on the day, or visit www.hospiceofhope.co.uk/events.htm.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford’s Annual Assembly will be held at 7.30pm in the club room of the Memorial Hall on Monday May 19th. This annual assembly of the electors of the Parish, more commonly called the Annual Parish Meeting, is your opportunity to ask questions about what is happening in the village.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Oast WI meets this morning at 9.30am in the Memorial Hall to discuss and vote on this year’s WI resolutions and to enjoy a hot Fairtrade chocolate fountain. There is a crèche for younger children and visitors/new members will be made very welcome.

SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
Vicar brings 15 years' experience
A new vicar has joined the parish of Otford.

The Rev Richard Worssam took up his new position at St Bartholomew's on Monday when the Bishop of Rochester, The Rt Rev Dr Michael Nazir Ali, inducted and instituted him.

Mr Worssam, 47, has moved from the parish of Fawkham and Hartley where he was rector for 10 years. [more]

ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S
The May edition of the Parish Magazine is now on-line.

As well as the normal pdf [] format, a 'page turn' digital version [] is also available to view.

From the Churchwardens:
1) The Interregnum. As Richard joins us as our new Vicar and we welcome him and his family to Otford, it is an appropriate moment to thank all those who have helped and supported us through the Interregnum. As Churchwardens we are especially grateful for the support and loyalty of the PCC, the ministry team and the whole church family, which has made the process of finding a new Vicar and, at the same time, maintaining the life and worship of the parish, both easier and rewarding. The parish must be especially grateful to both Archdeacon, Clive Mansell, and Canon Jane Hedges, on behalf of our patron Westminster Abbey, for their help and guidance and also to all those visiting clergy who have preached and celebrated for us.
2) The Church Centre and Appeal. After many years of planning, 2007 saw the completion of the extension to our church and this has already become a wellused and valued Church Centre. As was announced at the Annual Church Meeting, although there are still a few more bills to be paid and loans repaid, we expect at the end a small shortfall of around £32,000, which can be met from our reserves. However, this does mean there is nothing left for what were intended as phases two and three of our original Appeal, which was launched in October 2004. These were to be some form of reordering and redecorating of the church and necessary improvements to the Church Hall. These matters are not, however, forgotten and the PCC will in the coming months be considering, with our new Vicar, how and when they, together with the necessary repair to the church tower, can be taken forward.
[more]

Date for your Diary – Village Celebration Service The Otford Celebration Service, formerly known as the Civic Service, takes place on Trinity Sunday, 18th May at 9.30am.

St. Barts Church Office and the Churchwardens can be contacted at st.bartholomews@otford.net or 01959 523185.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Congratulations to Otford Colts for winning the Jack Standen Cup against LESSA Albion Reserves FC 2 goals to 1 at Bromley Football Club on Sunday. The first goal was scored at the end of the first half by Luke Blackaby and the winning penalty goal was scored towards the end of the second half by Billy Chapman. The age range of the Colts spans from their youngest player who is just 17 to the oldest at 47 and it was their sheer enthusiasm, loyalty and enjoyment of the game that carried them to victory.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford will welcome French friends from our twinned village Précigné in Anjou, near Le Mans, between May 9 and 11 and during that weekend our barber Stan Miles, Lenny Metcalf and Matthew Oakham will set off on a sponsored cycle ride to Précigné. They will leave at about 2pm on Sunday May 11 from Otford Pond and would like you to go along and cheer them on their way. Hospice of Hope Romania and Otford / Précigné Twinning will benefit and if you have not already sponsored them, or donated, then please contact Jane Lawrey on 01959 522360, give on the day, or visit www.hospiceofhope.co.uk/events.htm.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Support RADIO by going along to their fund raising Race Night on May 17 at the Memorial Hall. Tickets cost £5.00 each, include a full buffet supper and there will be a licensed bar available. Tickets are available from Keith on 07798 767770 or from Richard on 07733 350934. The fun starts at 7pm. It will be an enjoyable night's entertainment and you will be helping RADIO to raise much needed funds for its fight to keep the village as we want it.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Society’s road safety survey report can be found on the Otford.net web site and copies will be available to residents on request and are being sent to local and regional councils and highways agencies. The main findings are also in the current Otford Society Newsletter. Michael Fallon MP, who asked to meet Otford Society representatives last week, was very interested in the findings and is keen to be kept informed and to help as much as possible with any future steps. Residents are encouraged to display their ‘30 Otford’ car stickers with pride. If you would like more information please contact Jeff Lee, Tanglewood, Shoreham Road, Otford TN14 5RW, email jeff.lee@waitrose.com.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Gardeners’ Society meet at 8pm in the Memorial Hall on Tuesday May 6 to hear Gordon Francis talk about The Vegetable Grower, admission 50p members £1 non members.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
There will be a Coffee morning and bring and buy sale in the new Methodist Hall, in aid of the Meningitis Trust on Wednesday May 14 between 10am and 12 noon. Joyce Allen 01959 522915 can provide more details.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Methodist Church is holding an Art and Craft sale and exhibition in the church halls on Saturday, doors open at 9.30 and a small entrance fee will be charged which will include a cup of tea / coffee. Refreshments including light lunches will be available throughout the day. Go along, look, browse or buy and if you would like more details please call John Ward on 01689 869081

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Mad Hatters Emporium in the High Street has new owners who will continue the successful range of goods sold by the previous owners but will be adding some new ideas of their own. They will be holding craft displays and demonstrations and offer children’s art and craft parties. Further details from the shop 01959 525578.