VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford & District Wine Club are holding a Wine Tasting on April 28 in the Memorial Hall which will begin at 8pm with a tasting of wines derived from the Pinot Grape. As usual cheese and biscuits will be provided and there will be a raffle. The evening will be free to members but guests will be charged £5. If you have any queries, please ring the secretary on 01732 761359.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Rainbows, Brownies and Guides are again collecting Sainsbury’s Active Kids vouchers and Tesco vouchers for schools and clubs and would be grateful for your help. In the last couple of years they have collected enough vouchers to get new cooking equipment and aprons, dance sessions with qualified instructors, circus skills equipment as well as replace the old bean bags, balls and skipping ropes which they would not have otherwise been able to afford. On the ‘wish list’ this year are craft supplies, cheerleading sessions and camping equipment. Please save your vouchers and drop them into the collecting boxes located in the Parish Office.

Girlguiding UK is celebrating its Centenary this year and to mark the occasion there is a new exhibit in the Heritage Centre displaying a selection of interesting memorabilia and photographs of local Rainbows, Brownies and Guides from the last 100 years.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Society need a Minutes Secretary to help with fixing dates, sending out agendas, and preparing brief minutes of their committee meetings, 3 per year, and by writing short notes on the AGM and Autumn meetings. If you have a little spare time and can do basic word-processing, they will be delighted to welcome you to the Committee and provide you with templates etc. Please telephone or email Carol Griffiths carolgriffiths@waitrose.com, 01959 523140.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford 1940’s Society meet in the Memorial Hall at 8pm on Friday March 26 when Amanda Pickard will present Secret Underground London. Amanda will be showing some of what still lays beneath the pavements of London and how these tunnels, railways and establishments were used during the Second World War. Admission £3, further details from Ian on 01732 452505.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Gardeners’ Society is holding their Spring Show on Saturday March 27 in the Memorial Hall. This is their first show of the year and the displays will include spring bulbs and flowers, floral arrangements, preserves and cookery and photographic classes. There are also junior classes and the launch of the Junior Challenge for 2010. The show opens to the public at 2.15pm, admission is 50p and under 16’s are admitted free. Teas will be served until 4pm and there will be a sales table open all afternoon.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Kemsing Singers have a large following from Otford who will be interested to know that they are presenting "The Rhythm of Life" directed by Brenda Ross with Edwin Davis on piano and tenor soloist Tyler Clarke. This is a cornucopia of rhythmic music including Hiawatha's Wedding Feast, with quieter moments by Vaughan Williams and other contemporary composers starting at 7.30pm on Saturday April 10 in St Edith Hall, Kemsing. Tickets £7, concessions £6, children £4 - from 01959 523752, 9, Cleves Rd Kemsing TN15 6RX www.kemsingsingers.com.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Methodist Church invites all ladies to their Women’s Breakfast at 8.30am on Saturday March 20 at the church hall when the guest speaker will be Michele Guinness talking about ‘Autumn Leave’. The cost for this event is only £4.00 on the door. You are invited to join Michele and listen to this lively Christian speaker. To book your place please call Margaret Mathews 01959 522046 or email Sue Ward on johnandsueward@btinternet.com.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Tickets are selling fast for the Hospices of Hope’s Supper and Quiz night at the Otford Tea Rooms in the High Street at 7pm on Saturday 10 April. For tickets contact wendy@hospicesofhope.co.uk or ring Wendy Gilbert on 01959 525110.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Cricket Club are all set for the 2010 season with their new two bay cricket net facilities alongside the Memorial Hall on the recreation ground. The club now has over 175 members and has seen a huge rise in numbers since it began. The new nets will form an important part of the juniors’ coaching as well as being a focus for the senior players. With six of the juniors now qualified to coach they provide inspiration to the younger players and motivate them to continue practicing and playing. An official opening ceremony for the nets is planned for the beginning of May.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Evening WI members sat back and enjoyed a varied presentation of films by fellow member Barbara Darby at their February meeting which included scenes of the silent majesty of Machu Picchu and the creatures on the Galapagos islands, not forgetting the busy pair of local robins and their brood of three.

Five members will be going to the WIs' AGM at Tunbridge Wells in March when the speaker will be Anne Widdicombe MP. Members will meet in the Club Room on March 8 to enjoy watching a demonstration of Simple Indian Cookery by Sue Hollings. There will also be a stall of good used books for sale. Visitors are always welcome so if you are interested go and join them for the evening.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Primary School PTA are holding an Indoor Boot Fair in the Memorial Hall between 9am and noon on Saturday March 20 when refreshments will also be available. Tables cost £10 and can be booked via 07901 968175 or by inserting your name, contact number and payment into an envelope and delivering it to the school office.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford's Joy Watt continues to offer exercise and body conditioning classes at Dunton Green primary school between 7 and 8pm on Monday evenings plus personal training supporting active living and life-style change decisions.

To find out more ring Joy on 01959 525364 or go along on a Monday evening wearing comfortable clothes and trainers.

PARISH COUNCIL - MAR NEWSLETTER
The March edition of the newsletter is now on-line. Read all about: Newsletter Deliverers, Community Warden Surgery, Safer Plates, Tree of Light, Otford Village Fete, Otford & District Historical Society, Indoor Boot Fair, Otford Gardeners‛ Spring Show, Get Involved in the Parish Plan, A Greener Otford?, Otford Netball Club, Darent Valley Choir, Otford Allotments Association, Sevenoaks Embroiderers‛ Guild, Otford Oast WI, Otford Afternoon WI, Otford Evening WI, Otford Bridge Club, Otford Methodist Church, Otford Methodist Wednesday Afternoons Women‛s Fellowship, Hospices of Hope ‘Be a Whizz at the Otford Quiz‛, Picture of the Month, Community Safety Unit, Knole DFAS, Sevenoaks DFAS, Citizens Advice Bureau Surgery, The Henry VIII Show 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.