VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford resident Margot Lawrence was selected as one of the participants representing the South East in Antony Gormley's art event One and Other.  Margot appeared on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square between 2 to 3pm last Sunday.
 
One and Other participants traveled from all over the UK to attend the event, and some asked for sponsorship to pay their travel and accommodation expenses. Instead of asking for personal sponsorship Margot is asking for donations to one of her favourite charities, Invest in ME.  If you would like to sponsor her please use this link: www.everyclick.com/margotlawrence
 
Margot chose this particular charity because she has suffered from ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis, also - but less accurately - known as chronic fatigue syndrome) since 1996.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The Crown, a 16th century inn opposite the pond, serve real ales, a good selection of wines and locally produced traditional food with a modern twist.  They periodically produce a news letter which lists all the various special events they organise and this is available by phoning 01959 5222847, emailing thecrown@otford.net, visiting www.crownpubandrestaurant.co.uk or calling in. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
KCC will be resurfacing the carriageway between Otford pond and Greenhill Road as part of a £15 million programme of carriageway maintenance.  Work should commence on August 3 and is expected to take five nights to complete.  This section of road will be closed between 20.00 and 05.00hrs and divisions will be posted via the A225, A20 and A25.  Kent Highway Services can be contacted on 08458 247800. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
West Kent Xtra Play Days team is organising completely free Play Days for children aged 8 to 15, with younger children welcome so long as their parents stay and play too.  The days run from 10.30am to 3.30pm and those staying all day will need to take along a picnic lunch.  Drinks and fruit will be provided.  They will be at the recreation ground in the High Street on August 4 and 11 and at Hale Lane recreation ground on August 18 and 25.  Parents need to go along with their child to sign them in and they suggest the children wear old clothes as they may get messy.  Check the website www.westkent.org or call Heather Brightwell 01732 749487 if you think weather conditions may affect the days.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Gardeners’ Society, on behalf of the Parish Council, are again organizing the annual Otford front garden competition.  Preliminary judging is taking place during July and August with committee members walking round the village looking at front gardens that would take the eye of a stranger to the village, without them having to look over or around a hedge, wall or fence.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Citizens Advice Bureau surgery takes place between 10am and 12 noon on the first Tuesday of the month at the School House, High Street.  If you would like their advice just go along, no appointment is necessary.        

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Folk Dance Club has changed it venue to the Methodist club room from tonight Thursday July 23 until August 27 as the church hall in the High Street will be closed for renovation.   The club, which meets every Thursday from 8pm to 10 pm, will return to the church hall on Thursday September 3.  All are welcome to go along for a friendly evening of all kinds of folk dancing and there is 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
Chiddingstone Castle is holding an activity day for children today, Thursday 23, between 2pm and 5pm when they can explore the fascinating world of the sea as they enjoy an afternoon of arts and crafts.  They will have the opportunity to make and take home their own fish bowl with fish, plants and gravel or a stuffed sea turtle.  Story telling, face painting and much more will be available.  For more information on how to book visit www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk or telephone 01892 870347.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Embroiderers’ Guild meet in the Memorial Hall this Saturday for an all day workshop ‘Making a Housewife’ with Mandy and there will also be mini workshops available run by members.  Morning sessions start at 10am and afternoons at 2pm.  More information is available from Sylvia Grafton 01732 452117.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Cricket Clubs new permanent cricket net facility was discussed at some length at the recent Parish Council meeting with cricket club members requesting an urgent decision on where this could be sited on the Recreation Ground.  This important development for the club, and its additional benefit for the village as a whole, is dependent on grant funding and time is running out for the work to commence before the deadline for funding expires.  The Cricket Club urged the PCC to urgently arrange a site visit so that the village does not lose this opportunity due to decision delays.

Have your say - Otford Forum Discussion Topic.  

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Serendipity, an exercise class for the over 50’s, is held in the Methodist hall every Thursday morning between 9.30 and 10.30am followed by coffee and table tennis.  New members will be made very welcome by this friendly group just turn up wearing loose clothing and trainers.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford community warden, Paul Robertson holds a weekly surgery in the School House, High Street, every Tuesday between 11am and 12 noon to discuss any problems or community issues villagers may have.   

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The Crown pub, opposite the pond, have Adrenalin Switch, playing high energy rock music, from 8pm tomorrow, Friday 24, in the garden if the weather is nice.  On Sunday night from 8.30pm there will be an open mic night, hosted by Rattlemac which is open to musicians, singers, comedians, poets and an audience.  This promises to be a fantastic free night out with great musicians who come together once a month.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford pond update. Sevenoaks District Council have given permission for retrospective removal of pond walls and reconstruction including associated engineering works and the Parish Council state that work will start as soon as final details have been agreed and the contractors can fit the work in.

Have your say - Otford Forum Discussion Topic.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford school PTFA would like to thank everyone who supported their annual summer fete on Saturday July 4 which was a great success. The weather was dry and the huge number of stalls and entertainments were enjoyed by children and adults alike. The programme carried a directory of local shops and organisations that sponsored stalls and helped the schools raise funds at this major event and this helped make the day as successful as it was. Make a diary note for their next major fund raising event which is a Jumble Sale being held in the school hall on Saturday October 17. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Allotments Association invites you to their Open Morning on Saturday (18) between 10am and 1pm.  If you would like to find out what allotment gardening can do for you then go along for a free tour of their beautiful site and meet their keen gardeners. There is a small waiting list for plots but if you would like to put your name down contact Barbara Hine 01959 525468. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Scouts Quiz Night is on Saturday (18) at 7.30 for 8pm in the Scout Hut, Station Road.  Teams of 6, £5 per person, take along your own refreshments.  A brief AGM will be held during the interval.  Contact Ray Groom for more details 01959 525413. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Every household in the village should have received, completed and returned their Parish Plan Questionnaire, which has been circulated by a committee of local people, not the Parish Council, and the responses are currently being analysed so as to establish villagers’ requirements for the years ahead. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Allotments Association are holding an Open Morning on Saturday July 18 between 10am and 1pm. You are welcome to come along for a free tour of their beautiful site and meet their keen gardeners. Although they have a small waiting list at the moment, this is a great opportunity to go along and find out about allotment gardening.  For more details contact Pauline Garfield  pauline.garfield@otford.net, www.otford.info/allotments or telephone 01959 525075.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The Crown public house in the High Street, are holding a Wine Tasting event at 7.30pm on Friday July 10 with tickets costing £7.50 which includes a canapé buffet and on Sunday July 12 Travellers Rest Folk Club are holding a Garden Party & BBQ:  singers, musicians and audience all welcome.  The BBQ is at 1pm but advance booking is necessary. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Scouts Quiz Night is Saturday July 18 at 7.30 for 8pm in the Scout Hut, Station Road.  Teams of 6, £5 per person, take along your own refreshments.  A brief AGM will be held during the interval.  Contact Ray Groom for more details 01959 525413. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Bookings are being taken for Otford Methodist Churches children’s summer holiday club which will be held from Monday August 17 until Friday 21.  This is for children who are primary school age 4-11 and will run from 9.30am until 12.30 every day and cost £2.50 per day or £10 for the full week.  Contact Andrew or Carrie Wearne on 01732 464977 or 07788 714529 for more details and to book a place.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The Crown public house in the High Street, Otford have Tuff – an acoustic duo playing the Stones, Kinks etc, from 8pm in the garden on Saturday July 4 and are involved in the play in the park "Mother Sweetapple" by the Rude Mechanical Company on Wednesday July 8 by providing the beer tent.  They are also holding a Wine Tasting event at 7.30pm on Friday July 10 with tickets costing £7.50 which includes a canapé buffet and on Sunday July 12 Travellers Rest Folk Club are holding a Garden Party & BBQ:  singers, musicians and audience all welcome.  The BBQ is at 1pm but advance booking is necessary. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Petanque Club meet every Thursday at 2.30pm on the new purpose built terrain in the High Street recreation ground, and afterwards use the tea making facilities in the nearby Eric Dilley pavilion.  You are most welcome to join them as no previous experience is required.  For further details contact the club secretary Margaret Chandler 01959 523620.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Christine Masson is the artist featured in the Heritage Centre for June/July and her pictures can be viewed during opening hours.  Christine and her husband John are originally from London, but have also lived in Cheshire, moving to Otford 44 years ago.  She has painted since her schooldays and attended several courses at Denman College and in Sevenoaks and likes to paint botanical subjects and landscapes using different media.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Parish Council are requesting villagers to keep their trees and hedges trimmed as many are growing over the public footway and causing a nuisance to pedestrians, especially those with poor sight.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Tony Grogan, who raises money for Macmillan Cancer Support by undertaking sponsored treks, has arranged a presentation on his 2008 Trek in Nepal.  This will be held in St. Bartholomew’s church centre at 8pm on Tuesday July 14 and is aimed at those in the church and village who supported him or have an interest in his trekking experiences. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Evening WI are holding a fund raising Boot Sale in the Memorial Hall on Saturday July 18 between 9:30am and 12:30 and tables are available at £8 each.  If you have unwanted gifts or want to clear some drawers and cupboards this is your opportunity to recycle.  Contact Heather Tilley 01959 522491 for more information.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Scouts are holding a Quiz Night and AGM on Saturday July 18 at 7.30 for 8pm in the Scout Hut, Station Road.  Teams of 6 wanted for £5 per person but individuals are welcome to join existing tables.  Ring Ray Groom for more details 01959 525413.