VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Methodist Church is offering a marriage course if you want to enrich your marriage.  For young and old the Marriage Course is designed to help couples build foundations and strengthen their relationship to last a life time.  This starts on September 22 and continues every Tuesday evening for 7 weeks in Otford Methodist church hall.  The evening starts with a meal followed by video sessions and private individual communications.  It’s fun whilst at the same time challenging.  Call Michael & Helen Harris 01959 525159 for more information. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Folk Dance Club meets Thursday 27 in the Club Room of the Memorial Hall with Kate and Doug Eaton.  This 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 a caller for each evening that 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
Trickster is a free musical for older people living throughout the Sevenoaks district and it is being performed at 3pm on Monday September 21 at Sevenoaks Community Centre.  The musical is an ideal way of making residents more aware of how to deal with doorstep callers.  Sevenoaks District Council will provide free transport if required.  Places must be reserved in advance by contacting SDC on 01732 227000.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
St. Bartholomew's Church CU@5 popular informal service, held weekly in the church centre at 5pm, recommences after its summer break on Sunday September 13.

Friends of Kent Churches are holding a sponsored ride and walk on Saturday September 12 between 10am and 6pm and Simon Wragg of St. Barts would be pleased to hear from anyone who would like to take part.  He is also looking to make up a rota of people to welcome visiting cyclists and walkers and sign them in.  If you can spare an hour or so see him in church or telephone him 01732 462953. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Work is well advanced on the new all weather cricket facility on the recreation ground.  It has been sited at the rear of the Memorial Hall, alongside the Shoreham footpath, and Otford cricketers are looking forward to using this long awaited facility made possible by their concerted money raising efforts and grant funding.

Have your say - Otford Forum Discussion Topic.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Gardeners’ Society meets in the Memorial Hall at 8pm on Tuesday, September 1, to hear Ian Currie, weather columnist and broadcaster, take about ‘The Colourful Side of Weather’.  Admission costs 50p to members, £1 to non members and includes refreshments.

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.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
September sees the start of the new academic year and also that of many village clubs and organisations.  If you would like publicity for your events in the Sevenoaks Chronicle column please contact me by email drake_kay@hotmail.com, telephone 01959 522727, or drop your information into the Hospices of Hope coffee shop in the High Street clearly marked for my attention.  

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
St. Bartholomew's Church will be celebrating their Patronal Festival and remembering St Bartholomew at their services on Sunday August 23.  Simon Wragg would be pleased to hear from anyone who would like to participate by cycling, walking or sponsoring  the Friends of Kent Churches sponsored ride and walk on Saturday September 12.  They are looking for a rota of people to welcome visiting cyclists and walkers and to sign them in so if you can spare an hour or two please see Simon in church or telephone him 01732 462953. 

The 2009 Fair was a great success, enjoying good weather, and a myriad of entertainments.  The Rose competition was won by Donna Worssam and the Children’s Art competition winners were: Under 7 1st prize Emily Balcombe, 2nd Emma Clinton and 7-11 1st prize James Vigis, 2nd Edward Clinton.  The organizers would like to thank everyone who participated for their help and support.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Embroiderers’ Guild would like to remind members that there is no meeting in August so their next meeting will be on September 26 in the Parish church centre.  The morning session begins at 10am, for UFO’S and WIP’s, and the afternoon session at 2pm with the AGM followed by a talk and looking at the collection of altar frontals.  If you would like more information contact Sylvia Grafton 01732 452117.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Work on the pond continues but the protective fencing will not be removed until the seeded and turfed areas have established.  In the meantime residents can monitor the progress knowing that the end is in sight.

Have your say - Otford Forum Discussion Topic.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The Crown continues its programme of entertainment some of which include a 4 course meal.  As well as the very popular 3 session Sunday roast a midweek roast is also available on a Wednesday evening and booking is advised. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
If tennis is your game then the Otford LTC would like to hear from you.  Contact Jo Brookbank Jo@OtfordTennis.org.uk or telephone 01732 464743 or 0780 6601995.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Watch out for notices advising of the dates and times of closure of the village car park due to resurfacing.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
On Friday July 31 BBC 6 Breakfast music show celebrated Otford in the last of its ‘Toast the Nation’ feature. The show, with 700,000 listeners, has been celebrating places in the UK since November 2007. During the feature local resident Peter Grogan and host DJ Shaun Keaveny shared facts about Otford including dance music group Orbital, living in the village, and Cliff Richard’s visits to Sir Oliver Lyle’s ex residence Oak Hall.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Evening WI enjoyed hearing about Janet Hancock’s life as a court embroideress at their July meeting and she passed round samples of her early work as a student followed by creations of the present-day including sparkling beaded collars. As a bead embroideress working on sumptuous fabrics she and her fellow craftswomen never got to see the finished dress or who would be wearing it but sometimes these wonderful materials would be created into an evening dress for a member of the royal family or sometimes for stars of BBC shows. Janet was an excellent speaker, and so enthusiastic.  Over £14 was raised in the flower competition for ACWW, Brenda Ash winning the silver cup for her entry of a lovely rose.  Their next meeting is on August 13 and spines will be tingling as they hear about "Living with Ghosts in the Tower".  Visitors are welcome to share the evening in the Memorial Hall at 7.30pm.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Hatha Yoga new term classes for beginners and all abilities start on Tuesday September 15 in the Church Hall, High Street, Otford.  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 Folk Dance Club has changed its venue to the Club Room of the Memorial Hall from Thursday July 23 until August 27 between 8 to 10pm, not the Methodist Hall as previously reported.  The club welcomes new members and visitors and will return to the church hall on Thursday September 3.  For more information contact Peter George 01959 522105.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The Methodist churches Summer Holiday Club will be held between Monday August 17 and Friday August 21 for children of primary school age 4-11years.  The club will run between 9.30 and 12.30pm each day and cost £2.50 per day or £10 for the whole week. Register and book a place by phoning Andrew or Carrie Wearne on 01732 464977 or 07788 714529.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford village car park is to be resurfaced and the bays relined.  It is hoped that work will be carried out at the beginning of August and this will mean that the car park will be closed to all vehicles during that period.  Otford Parish Council will post notices of exact dates and these will be reported in this column when they are available.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The drainage system is due to be investigated and repaired in Pilgrims Way West, from the junction with Ivy House Lane in the West through to the junction with the A225 Station Road, and on from the A225 Shoreham Road junction through to Cotman’s Ash Lane in the East.  To carry out these works it will be necessary to close various roads and diversions will be posted.  The proposed Pilgrims Way West work is scheduled for the end of August for 10-12 weeks and the Pilgrims Way East work will begin at the end of October for 10-12 weeks.  Kent Highway Services can be contacted on 08458 247800. 

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

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Your Reunion needs you
If you were a pupil attending Otford School during the 1940’s / 50’s  why not come and join us at our now 4th Annual Reunion held at the Rising Sun Twitton on Saturday 5th September 2009 from 11.30 am to 5pm. We assure you of a wonderful nostalgic afternoon. Further information if you are interested contact Shirley Reekie (nee Spong) on 01752 691026 or Nick Staples 01732 843116.

< Mr Reg Byron, Headmaster of Otford Primary School 1947-1973 is hoping to attend again this year.

More Pictures in the Gallery