VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Methodist Church invite you to a café evening with Paul Field, an award winning song writer. As well as writing music for stars like Cliff Richard he has also written many of the modern Christian songs played in the Church. This event is being held in the Methodist church halls at 6.30pm on Sunday February 1 and refreshments will be provided. For more information please call Kath Pawlett 01959 522196.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Chevening Primary School is starting up a Lego club after Christmas and are seeking unwanted lego. If you can help please contact Karen Harris on 01732 462230.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Parish Council is inviting feedback on layout proposals for the village car park by the Memorial Hall in the High Street. You can view the proposals at the Parish Council offices and express your preference there or use the Otford Community Forum link

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Evening WI next meet on January 8 at 7.30pm. If you have made a Resolution to do something new in 2009 you are invited to go along and spend the evening with them, and enjoy yourself. You will be made very welcome.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Folk Dance Club meet on New Years Day, January 1 2009, to dance to The Footnotes with Eddie calling. The dance will be held in the Memorial Hall from 8 to11 pm. Tickets cost £6 and can be obtained from Trish Hamilton telephone 01622 817255 or at the door. This evening includes an American supper. Please take along a plate of food to add to the buffet table.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Road works on Pilgrims Way West by EDF will commence on Monday January 5 so look out for the diversionary signs and allow extra time for your journey. The publicised road works at Bat and Ball will not commence until the Otford works are completed.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Charlton Athletic, through the Parish Council, has made an offer which many Otford residents will surely find it impossible to refuse.

On Saturday March 7 2009, for a total cost of £43 per person, the club will provide a coach to take us to and from The Valley, arrange a one-hour tour of the stadium followed by a brief audio-visual presentation about the club and its history, serve us a three-course lunch in one of their restaurants overlooking the pitch, and give us seats together to watch the Championship game versus Watford.

There are only 53 places and these will be allotted strictly on a first come, first served basis. To reserve a place or places, please contact the parish office, telephone 01959 524808 or email otfordpc@btinternet.com. The latest day for bookings, should places still be available, is Monday January 5 and payment has to be made by Friday February 6.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Hatha Yoga new term classes for beginners and all abilities starts on Tuesday January 6 2009 in the Church Hall, High Street. Lessons are weekly in term time between 7.30 and 9.00pm and cost £8. For further details and to reserve a place contact Brenda Hambrook on 01959 525969.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Christmas Shopping Festival on Sunday November 30 was a tremendous success and the weather was far dryer than last year. There was a wonderful community atmosphere in the village with many shopkeepers and participants dressing up in Victorian and Christmas themed costumes.

The organisers would like to thank everyone who took part with special thanks going to Otford Primary School pupils, and their teacher, who gave up their time to sing Christmas carols throughout the event.

Special mention should also be made of the Fire Juggler who this year dressed in character and performed his act on stilts.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
St. Bart’s annual Carol Concert is being held in the church on Sunday December 14 at 7.30pm. In this informal concert the choir, directed by Kevin Grafton, will perform a wide variety of carols both traditional and modern. Works will include items by Howells, Rutter, Matthias, Taverner and Warlock and several choir items will be sung in foreign languages. There will also by plenty of well known Christmas Carols for audience participation. Entrance£5 per head with children under 16 admitted free and refreshment will be provided during the interval. Proceeds from the evening will go to the Childrens Society and the Choir Fund.

The Tree of Light service will take place tomorrow (Friday) on the village green at 7.30pm, followed by seasonal refreshments in the new St. Bartholomew’s church centre. Labels for you to write your message on are available from the Parish Council Office during opening hours, weekdays 8.30am to 12.30pm, or you can telephone 01959 524808 and they will write your card for you. You donation cheque should be made out to Otford Parish Council and this year The Hospice in the Weald will benefit. The tree will remain lit until the New Year.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Evening WI meets today with invited guests from other local Institutes to hear a talk and have a demonstration by Jayne Sargeant who designs and makes jewellery. There will be light refreshments with a festive air to encourage the Christmas spirit. The first meeting in 2009 will be on January 8 when the annual subscription of £29 is due. Contact Diana Jeremiah 01959 522981 for further details.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Guides Christmas post boxes are still open in the Library and Parish Office until Tuesday December 16 during opening hours with cards delivered throughout the village during the weekend of December 20-21. Stamps cost 20p per card and all proceeds will go to Demelza House Children’s Hospice and Kent Air Ambulance Trust.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford & District Wine Clubs Christmas Social is on Saturday in the Memorial Hall.

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Otford Car Park
Following a suggestion by a resident at the Annual Parish Meeting, the Parish Council has been considering a ‘one way‛ system in the High Street car park.

Designs have been produced by a Parish Councillor and can be viewed in the Parish Council office together with a copy of the current layout. The designs would involve taking a small piece of the Recreation Ground and obtaining planning consent for change of use to car parking. One design would involve the overall loss of two car parking spaces, even with the extra piece of land, the other would involve an overall loss of eight spaces. However with the extra piece of land, assuming planning consent could be obtained, and with the existing plan, four extra spaces could be added.

Please let us have your views. The plans can be viewed during normal office hours until January 30th.

You can indicate your preference and comment on the 3 designs using the Otford Community Forum.

Current Scheme | Scheme 1 | Scheme 2

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Visit to Charlton Athletic
Through the Parish Council Charlton Athletic has invited Otford residents and their friends to make a very special visit to The Valley.

On Saturday 7 March 2009, for a total cost of £43 per person, the club will -
* provide a coach to take us to and from The Valley,
* in the morning arrange a one-hour tour of the stadium followed by a brief audio-visual presentation about the club and its history,
* serve us a three-course lunch in one of their restaurants overlooking the pitch, and
* give us seats together to watch the Championship game versus Watford.

We have only 53 places and these will be allotted strictly on a first come, first served basis. To book a place or places, please contact the Parish Office at School House, High Street, telephone 01959 524808 or email otfordpc@btinternet.com, on or before 5th January 2009.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Evening WI are looking forward to their Christmas meeting on Thursday December 11 when members and invited guests from other local Institutes will hear a talk and have a demonstration by Jayne Sargeant who designs and makes jewellery. There will be light refreshments and a festive air which is sure to encourage the Christmas spirit.

The first meeting in 2009 will be on January 8 when the annual subscription of £29 is due. For more information contact Diana Jeremiah 01959 522981.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Primary School in the High Street is holding their Christmas Bazaar on Saturday between 12noon and 3pm. Father Christmas is coming from Lapland, there will be a Grotto and stalls selling Crafts, Books, CD’s, Toys and Face Painting. The Tea Room will be serving seasonal refreshments for all and there will be a Tombola.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Tickets for Otford & District Wine Clubs Christmas Social on Saturday December 13 are on sale, £20 for members and £23 for guests, please ring the Secretary 01732 761359 for a menu which must be completed and returned by Wednesday December 3.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Guides Christmas post box is open in the Library and Parish Office until Tuesday December 16 during opening hours with cards delivered throughout the village during the weekend of December 20-21. Stamps cost 20p per card and all proceeds will go to Demelza House Children’s Hospice and Kent Air Ambulance Trust.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Paul Robertson our KCC Community Warden holds weekly surgeries in the School House every Tuesday between 11am and 12 noon to discuss any problems or community issues that villagers may have. No appointment is necessary.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford offers many opportunities to keep fit among them the exercise class held every Thursday between 9.30 and 10.30am in the Methodist church halls for men and women over 50. This session is followed by refreshments and a chat, table tennis or chess and costs just £2. Further details from David Knight 01732 743056.

If an exercise class is not your thing then Otford Petanque Club meet every Thursday at 3pm at the purpose built court on the High Street recreation ground next to the Eric Dilley Pavilion. You are welcome to join them as no pervious experience is necessary. For further information contact Margaret Chandler 01959 523620.

And finally Sevenoaks District Council offer weekly Health Walks every Tuesday at 10.30am meeting and finishing at the car park, High Street, Keming next to the Wheatsheaf PH. The walks are free, led by trained walk leaders, and last about 45 minutes. Just turn up wearing comfortable shoes.

PARISH COUNCIL - DECEMBER NEWSLETTER
The December edition of the newsletter is now on-line. Read all about: Otford Christmas Shopping Festival, Tree of Light, Guide Christmas Post, Otford Car Park, Otford Young Achiever Award, Road Works, Police Surgery, Keep Safe / Timers, Otford Evening WI, Christmas/New Year Travel Details, Holiday Refuse Collections, St Bartholomew’s Church Christmas Services, Otford Methodist Church Services, Otford Heritage Centre, Parish Council Office, Sevenoaks DFAS , Otford Allotments Association, Otford Community Warden, Knole DFAS, Hatha Yoga Class, Otford Methodist Exercise Group, Otford Afternoon WI, Sevenoaks Embroiderers’ Guild, Picture of the Month, Citizens Advice Bureau Surgery, Otford Petanque Club, Otford Primary Top Draw, Charlton Athletic, Tree Cycle and Planning matters.

Agendas and Minutes for Otford Parish Council meetings are now on-line.

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.