NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Otford WI Groups
The meetings schedule for 2010 covering the Otford Oast WI, Otford Afternoon WI and the Otford Evening WI has been updated, together with the download version for printing.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Gardeners’ Society’s next meeting is on Tuesday March 2 in the Memorial Hall with Peter Wright giving a talk entitled ‘Self Sufficiency My Way; Growing to Eat’. Peter is an experienced grower and will have plenty of advice for the increasing number of people who ‘Grow their Own’. The evening starts at 8pm, admission is £1 for non-members and the admission price includes refreshments. For details of all events please contact the Society Secretary, Janet Finney on 01959 523760, e-mail gardeners@otford.net or visit our website www.otford.info/gardeners.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Folk Dance Club meets tonight in the Church Hall, High Street, opposite the Bull, when Roger Letley will be playing with Eddie calling. 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
Safer Plates. Kent Police will be in Sainsbury’s car park today between 10am and 2pm and again in the village car park on Saturday March 20 where, free of charge, they will be replacing screws on number plates with tamper proof ones. The West Kent Crime Prevention bus will also be there where you can obtain free advice.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Hospices of Hope, our local High Street charity, has a fund raising evening at 7.30pm on Saturday (20) at The Grey Lady, Tunbridge Wells with a two course supper, smooth jazz, pop classics and contemporary soul music. Tickets, priced at £25, are available through wendy@hospicesofhope.co.uk or by telephone on 01959 525110.

On Friday March 5 at 7.30pm they are hosting a Romanian Supper at Otford Tea Rooms & Gift Shop in the High Street. Enjoy the culinary skills of a Romanian Chef and a complimentary glass of wine. Tickets, priced at £15, are available through Wendy, as above.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The Crown 16th century inn, opposite the pond, serve real ales, a good selection of wines and locally produced traditional food with a modern twist. Their periodical newsletter, which lists all the various special events they organize, is out now and is available by phoning 01959 522847, emailing thecrown@otford.net, visiting www.crownpubandrestaurant.co.uk or by calling in. Their programme of musical events should appear in the Gig list in the Sevenoaks Chronicle.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford and District Wine Club are sure everyone who attended their Burns Night will agree that it was a wonderful evening with Scottish singing, dancing, haggis, oatcakes, and other seasonal refreshments.

Their next social event will be the annual Film Show on Wednesday February 24 in the Memorial Hall when the audience will see a wide range of comedy, documentary and scenic films (some featuring the local area) beginning at 8p.m. There will be an interval during which ice cream will be served. By popular demand they are holding a mystery raffle of donated, wrapped prizes, so dig out all those unwanted Christmas presents and take them along - it should be an interesting night out As usual the evening will be free to paid up members but guests will be charged £4. You are invited to go along for a fun night out amongst friends. If you have any queries ring the secretary on 01732 761359.

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Otford Village Memorial Hall.
The 60’s, 70’s and 80’s Disco on 30th January at the Village Hall was a real success with many people asking us to run it again (and I will. I just need a break first!!!!!). Over 100 people attended and we raised a substantial sum towards improving the facilities at the Village Memorial Hall. A big Thank You to all of those that attended, especially those that went to all of the trouble of dressing up.

The next event will take place at 8.00pm on Saturday 20th February and will feature Ian Keable, one of the UK's leading Corporate Entertainment Magicians and Mind Readers - the Winner of The Magic Circle Comedy Award 2008/09. Ian reads minds and does magic tricks: but all done in a humorous presentation. Tickets are just £8.00 for adults and £5.00 for children. Family ticket (2 Adults, 2 Children) £21.00. Ian recommends that the event is attended only by children of 12 and over – not because the comedy is risqué but those under that age may not understand the humour! Tickets are available by either calling 01959 525181 or e-mail ovmh.manager@otford.net.

Please support this event and help the Village Hall to continue to provide an excellent facility for those many groups and clubs who meet there. We look forward to seeing you!

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
RSPB Sevenoaks Group is holding an indoor meeting tonight (Thursday) at 7.45pm in the Memorial Hall. David Darrell-Lambert will give an Illustrated talk with slides entitled What’s that Noise? There will also be photographs on display plus explanations and examples of the calls of various British birds, mammals and amphibians. For more details contact 01959 563530 or email anneanddave.chapman@virgin.net

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Library invites you to go along and join in the fun and listen to some stories every Tuesday between 2.15 and 2.45pm Mums and Babies are also invited to join in their Baby Bounce and Rhyme Time session every Monday morning between 11.00 and 11.30am where you can play with the toys and sing along to some rhymes.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Rockdale fund raising events continue with Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday March 13 at 7.30pm. 16 couples have been learning to dance since November ready for the Strictly Come Dancing Competition which is being held at Walthamstow Hall school. Tickets cost £12 including a welcome drink and canapés and a voting slip to vote for the best couple. There will be special lighting and professional dancers as well as a bar and the evening will follow along the lines of the BBC Programme with Judges and Announcers. A local celebrity is also taking part and The Italian Wardrobe, Tunbridge Wells, are providing all the dresses. For tickets either email: lynn.tier@rockdale.org.uk or telephone 01732 458762 or 468650.

NEWS ITEM SUBMITTED
Knockholt Bowling Club.
Situated at the end of Ivy Lane in as peaceful a setting as one could wish, the Knockholt Bowling Club has a well kept green and pavilion. The Club was re-formed in 1990, the old club having ceased playing in the 1950's. The new Club was the result of a lot of hard work by a dedicated number of Knockholt and Halstead residents, who spent time and money and a lot of hard work getting the necessary authority to proceed and building the green and pavilion. The Club is a part of the Village Club and all bowling club members are members of the Village Club.

The season stretches from late April till the end of September, with friendly matches played most weekends and Wednesdays and league matches on Thursday and Friday evenings. Other than league matches, the Club operates a policy of playing mainly mixed matches, all played as triples (three players each team).

As a member, one can also use the green to practice whenever they wish subject to the start times decreed by the Green Liaison Officer and there is no additional charge once the annual fees are paid. The current fees are:-
Joining fee (once only) £32
Annual Subscription £37.50
Green Fees £45
Of the above, £5 is the fee to be a member of the Village Club, which is mandatory.

All are welcome to apply to join, from teenage to any age (one of our members died recently at the age of 101 and was still playing outdoors at 92 and indoors at 96). If new to the game, we have excellent coaches/instructors, including a National Umpire and instruction can be arranged. Although anyone can join us, we would welcome more members from Knockholt and Halstead. It is a game well suited to older citizens, giving gentle exercise and a great opportunity to socialise for a few hours every now and then.

There is an Open Day at the green in early May, when all are welcome to discuss with Club officials and try their hand at the game. Main Events 2010.

Your contact initially is Hon. Secretary Peter Hearn , telephone 01689 836779 or e-mail at petehearn@dsl.pipex.co.uk

PARISH COUNCIL - FEB NEWSLETTER
The February edition of the newsletter is now on-line. Read all about: A Voice for the youth of Otford, Well Done, Police Advice, Safer Plates, Reel Issues: Where Film, Faith and Life Connect, Otford Village Fete, Otford & District Historical Society, Otford Allotment Association, Indoor Boot Fair, Otford Gardeners’ Society, Hospices of Hope, Otford & District Wine Club, The Cantate Chamber Choir, Sevenoaks District Older Persons Forum, Otford Oast WI, Otford Afternoon WI, Otford Evening WI, Otford Bridge Club, Bikes and Cameras go Together: A Photographic Exhibition, Otford Methodist Wednesday Afternoons Women’s Fellowship, Strictly Come Dancing, Knole DFAS, Sevenoaks DFAS, Citizens Advice Bureau Surgery, Otford Primary Top Draw 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
Responses received to the Parish Plan questionnaire.
A presentation of all the results of the Parish Plan questionnaire was held on Saturday, 30 Jan 2010 at the Memorial Hall. It was very well attended but because of the volume of written comments many people asked if we could put it onto our Parish Plan site so they could study at leisure.

These are organised into a sub-forum Questionnaire Results within the Otford Parish Plan forum, under the headings:

1. A Safe Community - (A) Home
1. A Safe Community - (B) Roads and Pavements
2. A Caring Community
3. Having a Green Environment
4. Living in a Healthy Environment
5. Supporting a Dynamic Econcomy
6. A Sustainable Economy for Otford
7. Facing the Future
8. Older Persons Concerns
9. Young Peoples Concerns

You are warmly invited to read these and, if you wish, give any feedback.

“I would like to make a difference ...”
The results of the Parish Plan questionnaire have revealed certain concerns that residents of Otford would like resolved. They are listed in these sections, together with ideas for improving things. The purpose of a Parish Plan is to find ways to improve the quality of life for all who live in the parish and tackle problems which are perceived to exist. As a volunteer, you can join one (or more) of the ‘action groups’ involved with this work. Please complete the attached form, highlighting the headings you are particularly interested in. Then add your contact details etc. at the end of this form and we will get in touch with you.
Application form to join an Otford Parish Plan Action Team

Thank you. Rod Shelton, Chairman, Otford Parish Plan Committee.