VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Afternoon WI meets on the 2nd Tuesday in the month and their speaker at the April meeting was the popular Bob Ogley talking about Kent in the l9th Century.  May is their Resolutions meeting, when they discuss the issue that the WI are proposing to put to the Government this year, and which will be voted on at the Annual Meeting at the Albert Hall in June.  This year the Resolution is “SOS for Honey Bees”, putting concerns forward for the future of honey bees owing to the decline in the UK honey bee population, which play a vital role in the pollination of food crops and in the environment, thus making them central to the world’s existence.  John Edwards-Windsor, local Apiarist and President of the Kent Beekeepers Association, is their speaker and this meeting will take place at 2pm on May 12 in the Memorial Hall. Visitors are very welcome.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Evening WI meet in the Memorial Hall on May 14 when Rod Shelton will talk about the village plan and members will learn more of the background information to the Resolution to be discussed at the AGM at the Albert Hall in June.
All other details of the three Otford WI’s will be found on the Otford village web site www.otford.info and follow the link to the WI., or telephone Joyce Shaw 01959 522736.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Tony Grogan continues to raise funds for his trek to the remote Carpathian mountains of Romania in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and would like to thank all those who supported his recent Quiz night.  During this five-day challenge Tony, and the group of 40 trekkers, will pass through stunning valleys and ancient forests dotted with Transylvanian castles and medieval villages and their route will take them through some of the best trekking country in Europe, to heights of 2,500m, past glacial lakes and stunning gorges.
Participants must pay a non-refundable registration fee of £250 and raise a minimum of £2,300 sponsorship for this challenge and money raised will be used to help fund specialist Macmillan nurses and doctors who deliver the best in cancer care, build vitally needed cancer care centres and give financial help to those who need it most.

The Romania Hiking Challenge runs from September 14–19 and anyone interested in sponsoring Tony Grogan should visit the web site www.justgiving.com/tonygrogantrek. or phone 01959 523649.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Folk Dance Club meet tonight in the Church Hall, High Street, opposite the Bull, and Graham Cole will be calling to recorded music.  The club meets every Thursday from 8pm to 10 pm and all are welcome for a friendly evening of all kinds of folk dancing.  There is always a caller for each evening who runs through each dance beforehand and calls as the dance 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 contact Peter George 01959 522105.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Citizens Advice Bureau hold monthly surgeries at the Parish Offices in the High Street on the first Tuesday of the month between 10am and 12 noon.  These surgeries provide the opportunity for local people to seek advice, in confidence, on financial, legal, benefits and family problems.  If you would like advice then please go along and see them on Tuesday May 5, no appointment is necessary or, if you are unable to attend a surgery, then the CAB can be contacted on 01732 457958.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford’s Bank Holiday Monday May 25 Village Fete’s dog show, organised by Elands Veterinary Clinic, has seven categories including Most handsome, Prettiest bitch, Best rescue, Fancy dress (dog or owner dress up), Dog the judge would most like to take home and Best in Show.  For more information visit www.elandsvet.co.uk. 
The fete organisers are seeking assistance with the set up of the fete from 7am on the day.  If you can help there is more information available from www.otford.info/villagefete

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The Parish Plan draft questionnaire was viewed by nearly 80 people in the Memorial Hall on Saturday April 18 with interesting feedback and varied opinions.  The committee will endeavour to incorporate these views into the final document which it is hoped to circulate throughout the village at the end of May.  It is vital that every household completes this document to ensure that the plan is representative of how villagers would like to see their environment develop in the next 10 to 15 years. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Cricket Club propose permanent cricket nets on the Recreation Ground
Your comments are invited….
Otford Cricket Club now has over 175 junior and senior members and has been looking to improve the cricket facilities available on the Recreation Ground. A new permanent cricket net facility is proposed which will be available for all users of the Recreation Ground.

This is an important development for the Club and the recreation facilities available to the village. The cost of over £20,000 will be borne by the cricket club with the help of grant funding. The ongoing maintenance will also be the responsibility of the cricket club.
Some answers to questions you may have……

Why this location? There are a number of reasons that favour this location. Firstly, the cricket club’s cricket square is at this end of the Recreation Ground. Secondly that this location is in a little used area of the Recreation Ground and thirdly it is also thought that this location will also help to deter vandalism.

What will they look like? The picture attached exaggerates the height of the nets (they will be 12 feet in height) but is a useful photo montage by Mike Harris Photography of what the proposed nets might look like.

Will they result in any costs to the parish rate payers? No! This is entirely funded by the Cricket Club with grant assistance from outside and ongoing maintenance will be paid for by the Cricket Club. The cricket club would, of course, be delighted to receive any financial assistance offered as the amounts involved are much greater than existing internal resources!!

Will the nets affect other users of the Recreation Ground? It is thought not as they have been located in an area of the Recreation Ground where there are no current football pitches and the nets have been sited close to the existing hedge to minimize ingress into the Recreation Ground.

When will construction take place and will it inconvenience users of the Recreation Ground? The funding of the project is still in the process of being secured. This could happen in the next few weeks. Once the go ahead is given to proceed with the build it is likely to take less than 3 weeks from commencing on site to completion. Any inconvenience on site will be minimized as work will be restricted to the area set aside for the nets only.

The above summary has tried to answer the main questions that are thought may arise. If you require any further information and/or you have any comments on the proposed nets please contact Otford CC Club Captain Mark Stevens on 01959 523881; send him an Email on stevens@ot32.wanadoo.co.uk or write to him at 32 Leonard Avenue, Otford TN14 5RB or leave your comments with the Heritage Centre.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Evening WI celebrated its 50th birthday on April 9 when President Diana
 Jeremiah told members that 63 people had attended the inaugural meeting in
 April 1959 and there were several photographs displayed around the special
 birthday cake showing some of these early members.  Most easily recognisable was Mary Laundon who was their first Secretary and is still a stalwart member.   Maurice Tripp then gave members a brief and amusing  insight into the reasons for his love of amateur dramatics and his  involvement with the Geoffrey Whitworth theatre in Crayford.  He said it was a form of escapism from the pressures of the day job which he felt angling would not provide. Brenda Young won the Denman Bursary for a 2 night course of her choice.  Their next meeting is on May 14 when Rod Shelton will talk about the village plan and members will learn more of the background information to the Resolution to be discussed at the AGM at the Albert Hall in June.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford and District Wine Club meet at 8pm in the Memorial Hall on Wednesday April 29 when Frank Baker, a member of our Diplomatic Service, will talk about Turkey as he was based in Ankara for a few years during the 1990’s.  Cheese and biscuits will be provided but take along your own liquid refreshment.  The evening is free to members with guests being charged a small fee. For further information ring the Secretary 01732 761359.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Cancer Research UK are holding a Ladies Luncheon with a fashion display by Deja Vu in Knockholt Village Centre at 12 noon Today. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Tennis Club is holding an Open Day on Sunday between 10.00am and 1.00pm for individuals and families to enjoy free coaching by qualified LTA coaches.  All are welcome, beginners to advanced, children and adults, club members and non-members.  The club is located at the recreation ground in Otford, past the children's playground on your left.  For further information, contact enquiries@OtfordTennis.org.uk or ring Mary Evans 07881 653936.  The full list of coaching sessions and lots of other information about the club is available on the website www.OtfordTennis.org.uk. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otfords community event to celebrate St. Georges Day and Shakespeare’s birthday is being held in the Memorial Hall tonight. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Embroiderer’s Guild is holding an Open Day from noon on Saturday in the Memorial Hall.  Members work will be on display and there will be demonstrations and sales tables.  More information from Pat Curtis 01959 532391.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Village Fete’s procession starts at noon from Hale Lane on Bank Holiday Monday May 25 goes around the pond and back into the recreation ground in the High Street.  Entrance to the Fete is £1 per adult and under 14’s will be admitted free of charge.  Attractions include a Teddy Bears’ Picnic, a raft of different children’s activities, non stop live music, Elands Vets Practice Dog Show, clowns,, activities by Play Space a youth organisation, afternoon teas, a beer and wine tent and much, much more.  For more information visit www.otford.info/villagefete.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
St Georges week Beer Festival starts tonight at The Crown with a varied selection of real ales available from 6pm.  From 7.00pm Pie & Pud will be available for £10 per head with a choice of a main course pie followed by as much dessert as you like.  On Friday John Paul Miller will be playing from around 9pm and on Saturday 25 Bobo the Clown will be arriving at 4.15pm and Roaring Meg will be playing from 9pm.  On Sunday there will be traditional Sunday roasts from 12.30.  In the evening there is an Open-mic night, not Karaoke, organised by Rattlemac, which starts at 8.30pm and is open to musicians, singers, poets, comedians and the audience.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
First Steps meet in the Methodist Hall between 9.30 and 11.30am on alternate Wednesdays during term time.  The group offers a warm, friendly, welcome to Mums and Dads and others carers with babies and pre-school children.  Activities and stories for the children are bible based.  Extra help, not necessarily at every meeting, would be very welcome.  If you can help please contact Hazel Terry 01959 523047 or Donna Worssam 01959 523185.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford and District Wine Club have invited Frank Baker, a member of our Diplomatic Service to talk about Turkey at their meeting on Wednesday April 29.  Frank was based in Ankara for a few years during the 1990’s and he will tell some interesting stories about this volatile part of the world.  The club meet at 8pm in the Memorial Hall and the evening is free to members with guests being charged a small fee.  Cheese and biscuits will be provided but take along your own liquid refreshment.  For further information ring the Secretary 01732 761359.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Barry Smith of Hospices of Hope gave an interesting talk to the Otford Society at their recent Spring meeting.   A video was shown of the outstanding work this local charity carries out with children suffering terminal illness.  He mentioned the fund raising office, Antique Shop and Coffee Shop in the High Street and how a drop zone has been created in the Coffee Shop where donations of unwanted items can be left.  The charity would also like to hear from anyone who can spare a few hours to help in either of their shops or with clerical work in the offices.  If you would like to help or make a donation Barry can be contacted on 01959 525110 or Gill Saunderson, in the Coffee Shop on 01959 524322.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford pond made the national press on Saturday April 4 with a picture and write up in the Saturday Telegraph entitled ‘Village blight Landmark turned into eyesore in planning row’, describing the fiasco of the Parish Councils lapsed planning permission and the negotiations with the District Council to continue the rectification work. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Cancer  Research UK are holding a Ladies Luncheon with a fashion display by Deja Vu in Knockholt Village Centre at 12 noon on Thursday April 23.   Tickets are available from Beryl Smith 01732 459859 or Joyce Course 01732 761606.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Tennis Club is holding an Open Day on Sunday April 26 between 10.00am and 1.00pm for individuals and families to enjoy free coaching by qualified LTA coaches.  All are welcome, beginners to advanced, children and adults, club members and non-members.  Find out about the new term of coaching for juniors and adults which starts after Easter, at weekends as well as weekday daytime and evenings.  The club is located at the recreation ground in Otford, past the children's playground on your left.  For further information, contact enquiries@OtfordTennis.org.uk or ring Mary Evans 07881 653936.  The full list of coaching sessions and lots of other information about the club is available on the website www.OtfordTennis.org.uk. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Hatha Yoga classes new term for beginners and all abilities starts on Tuesday April 21 in the Church Hall.  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 01959 525969.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otfords community event to celebrate St. Georges Day and Shakespeare’s birthday is being held in the Memorial Hall next Thursday April 23, tickets cost £12 and include a cold supper, coffee or tea, but take along your own drinks and glasses.  The entertainment will include folk singing and tributes to St. George and Shakespeare and tickets can be purchased from Ken Gunderson 01959 522709.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Parish Council will be displaying the draft of the Parish Plan Questionnaire in the Memorial Hall on Saturday between 10am and 3pm.  Whatever your interests the Parish Plan will cover them but the Parish Council need to know what you think.  Coffee will be available while you add your own ideas.  What you say now will influence what actions the final Plan takes.  The final questionnaire will be sent to every household in Otford at the end of May. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Embroiderer’s Guild is holding an Open Day from noon on Saturday April 25 in the Memorial Hall.  Members work will be on display and there will be demonstrations and sales tables.  More information from Pat Curtis 01959 532391.

PARISH COUNCIL - APR NEWSLETTER
The April edition of the newsletter is now on-line. Read all about: Otford Village Fete - Monday 25th May, Otford Lunch Club, Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge, Otford Links with Neufchatel-Hardelot, Tell us what concerns you, Otford Gardeners‛ Society, Otford Book Fair, Otford Tennis Club Open Day, South Eastern Train News, Otford Oast WI, Otford Afternoon WI, Otford Community Warden, The Darent Valley Choir Spring Concert, Otford Cricket Club – Senior Nets, Otford Cricket Club – Junior Nets, Otford Evening WI, What a load of Rubbish, Sevenoaks DFAS, Kemsing Singers, Art/Design Courses, Otford Players, Knole DFAS, Otford & District Wine Club, Otford Methodist Wednesday Afternoons Women‛s Fellowship, Eynsford County Market, Sevenoaks Embroiderers‛ Guild, Picture of the Month, Citizens Advice Bureau Surgery, Otford Primary Top Draw, New T‛ai Chi Classes 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
The Crown @ Otford Beerfest
We are running a mini beer festival from St Georges Day, 23rd April till Sunday 26th.  We will be having a selection of beers & ciders.  Live music Friday from John Paul miller, acoustic guitarist, @ 9pm, Saturday we hope to have morris dancers from 1.30, traditional folk singing from 3pm.  Bobo the clown is coming 4.25-5.15.  7pm - Roast Beef baps wsold in the garden. 8pm Rob west is fire eating.  9pm we have roaring meg, a pirate rock band playing, prizes for best dressed pirate.  Sunday will be traditional Sunday roasts from 12.30 & our Open Mic night from 8.30pm with Rattlemac & guestrs, singing, playing & performing.

Flyers with tasting notes & timetable are available from outside the pub & @ The bar.  

Look forward to seeing people there!
Fiona & Mark Fenge

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Fox Archers
Fox Archers is a small archery club located in the pretty village of Otford in North Kent.  Our practice days are on a Sunday from 10.00am, on a Saturday afternoon and also on Wednesday evenings from 5.30pm onwards at St Michaels School, Row Dow Lane, Otford, TN14 5SE.

We run two beginners course each year, one in April and the other in May and the courses last for four weeks. During the two and half hour sessions all equipment is provided and you will receive instruction from one of our GNAS qualified coaches. The course costs £40 and this includes membership of our club if you decide to join. If you are interested then a beginners application form can be downloaded from our website.  More information can be obtained by contacting Lynn Archer by telephone 01322 866444 or email lynnarcher54@googlemail.com.

Our website address is as follows: http://www.freewebs.com/foxarchers

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Otford Village Fete
Otford Village Fete on Bank Holiday Monday 25th May. Procession starts at 12 noon from Hale Lane, around the pond and back into the recreation ground in the High Street. Entrance £1 (under 14s free). Activities include Teddy Bears’ Picnic, non stop live music, Elands Vets Practice Dog Show, clowns, a raft of different children’s activities, activities by Play Space a youth organization, afternoon teas, a beer and wine tent and much, much more.

For more information, visit our website at www.otford.info/villagefete or contact Andrea Pinto on 01959 525623 or 07908 629874.

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Otford Links with Neufchatel-Hardelot
Unfortunately formal twinning with Precigne has not been as successful as we would have liked, although informal links may continue.

However we are in contact with Neufchatel-Hardelot, which is a town with a population of 3,700 on the Pas-de-Calais coast,  just south of Boulogne, offering a lovely sandy beach as well as good sporting and cultural facilities.  This should enable visits to or from either side of the Channel to be completed within a day.  We believe this will be of interest to many individuals and families in Otford and surrounding areas.

To this end there will be a visit on Saturday 16 May 2009 to Otford Recreation Ground of 2 teams of 8 young French footballers aged 9-10 who will play against local footballers. The matches will start at 11am.  Do come along, support them and meet them.

We are hoping to develop direct relationships between individuals and families as well as clubs and societies on both sides of the Channel. Please look up their website for more details, maps etc: www.ville-neufchatel-hardelot.fr

Anyone interested in pursuing these ideas further could they please forward contact details together with any particular interests direct to the Otford Parish Office (email: otfordpc@btinternet.com  or telephone: +44 (0)1959 524808).

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Kemsing Singers - Madrigals To Musicals
Dont miss this excellent concert by the Kemsing Singers 'Madrigals To Musicals'. An overview of  English Life through music from the Elizabethans to the present day, including, madrigals, excerpts from Gilbert and Sullivan, My Fair Lady, Oliver and The Beatles - For one night only - Saturday 16th May, 8pm, St Ediths Hall, Kemsing.Tickets £6, £5(concessions), £4 children. Box Office: 01959 523752 or Barbara Darby (video) 01959 523339.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Tonbridge Young Farmers 60th Anniversary Ball is being held on Saturday June 6th 2009 at Hadlow Manor Hotel from 7pm-midnight.  A 3 Course set meal will be followed by music from Catch 22 and dress code is black tie.  Tickets costing £28 per person are available from Richard Sinden 07941 054437 until May 10th.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Vestry Estate, situated behind Sainsbury’s, would not be many people’s choice of interest when thinking about local history but Otford Heritage Centre has a new exhibition that may change your mind. In a series of crafted models, old photographs and exhibits, you can witness how what is now a smart local trading estate has changed so radically through the 150 years of its history.  Where now shoppers drive by into the Sainsbury car park, there once stood a picturesque Dairy farm set beside the quiet watercress beds of the river

The Heritage Centre is open daily between 9am and12 noon and at weekends from 2.30 to  4.30pm and entrance is free.  If you would like further information contact Rod Shelton Rod.shelton@tiscali.co.uk  01959 523371

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
A community event, sponsored by the Otford Society, is being held in the Memorial Hall on Thursday April 23 to celebrate St. Georges Day and Shakespeare’s birthday. Tickets cost £12 and include a cold supper, coffee or tea, but take along your own drinks and glasses.  The audience will be entertained by a folk singer and there will be traditional singing as well as tributes to St. George and Shakespeare.  For more information and to purchase tickets ring Ken Gunderson 01959 522709.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sharon Taylor is putting on her hiking boots once again to raise money for Breast Cancer Care.  Sharon will be trekking Peru in September and has to raise a minimum of £3500 for the charity.  She is holding an Indoor Boot Fair in the Memorial Hall starting at 8.30am on Saturday, tables cost £8.50, the entrance fee is 50p and bacon rolls, tea, coffee and refreshments will be available until 12 noon.  Two years ago Sharon walked the Great Wall of China for charity and raised an amazing £7000.  If you would like to donate to this worthy cause go along on Saturday or ring Sharon on 01732 463108.  

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Methodist Church invites everyone to join them on Sunday for the village Palm Sunday Procession starting at 10.45am from the Methodist Church Car Park to the Village Green for an open air joint service with the other village churches.  There will also be a special all age cafe evening at 5pm with Betty's Buddies Puppets and High Tea will be provided.
An invitation is also extended to all ladies to a Women’s Breakfast starting at 8.30am on Saturday in the church hall. A splendid continental breakfast is offered followed by a talk from Phillip Jasper Herbert, who retired in 2002 from a lifetime in fashion and showrooms in Berkeley Square.   The cost is £4.00 on the door or for more information call Margaret Matthews on 01959 522046 or Sue Ward at johnandsueward@btinternet.com.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Parish Plan – what do you think?  On Saturday April 18 in the Memorial Hall you can see the important first draft of the Parish Plan Questionnaire on display.  The Parish Council urge you to go along and add your own comments as your views are vital to the Parish Plans success.  You can enjoy a coffee while you think it over.  The final questionnaire will be sent to every household in June.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Travellers Rest Folk Club now meets at The Crown on the second Thursday of each month from 8.30pm.  On April 9 Sadie Green Sales Ragtime Jug Band from the USA will be performing.   Admission is free, there will be a hat collection, a raffle and singers, musicians, and everyone welcome. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Methodist Church are celebrating Easter on April 9 at 8.00pm with a  Maundy Thursday United Communion service, on Friday April 10 at 10.30am with a Good Friday Service followed by hot cross buns and on Sunday April 12 there will be Easter Day Services at 8.00am, 10.30am and 6.30pm.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Gardeners’ Society meet in the Memorial Hall at 8pm on Tuesday  when
Mark Nelson – Head Gardener at Emmetts Gardens will talk about ‘Gardening on the Roof of the World – Plant Collecting in the Himalayas’.  For details of all events please contact the Society Secretary, Janet Finney on 01959 523760, or e-mail gardeners@otford.net or visit www.otford.info/gardeners.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Citizens Advice Bureau hold monthly surgeries at the Parish Offices in the High Street on the first Tuesday of the month between 10am and 12 noon.  These surgeries provide the opportunity for local people to seek advice, in confidence, on financial, legal, benefits and family problems.  If you would like advice then please go along and see them, no appointment is necessary.  If you are unable to attend a surgery then the CAB can be contacted on 01732 457958.