VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Bank Holiday Monday will be a busy day in Otford with the Fete procession leaving Hale Lane recreation ground at 11.30am to make it way to the village centre for the opening of the Fete at 12 noon.

Among the stall holders will be Otford Allotments Association selling quality plants, grown by their expert gardeners and an opportunity to play their fun Human Vegetable Machine game and win a fortune. Hospices of Hope are delighted to have a team from the “Rock Choir” singing on their behalf, Otford Evening WI have eight unrecognizable members dressed as WAGS in the village fete procession and their regular cake and plant stall , and the Gardeners Society promise that come rain, hail, thunder or sunshine (yes, we have had them all) you will find them selling ornamental and edible plants all raised by members. Visit them and grab a bargain.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Afternoon WI held their AGM on May 11 with Linda Dunning re-elected as President, Kath Larkin, Secretary and Jeanne Barsby looking after their accounts. The resolution about compulsory labeling with country of origin on all meat and fish sold in the UK was discussed and the outcome will go forward to the National Conference in June. Their interesting programme continues on June 8 with Steve Roberts talking about life as a detective at Scotland Yard and on July 13 there will be a nostalgic look at shopping.

Meetings are held at 2pm on the second Tuesday of each month in the Memorial Hall. Visitors are very welcome, and further details can be found on the Otford Village web site at www.otford.info with the link to the WI., or telephone Joyce Shaw 01959 522736.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Rainbows, Brownies and Guides are still collecting Tesco and Sainsbury vouchers and would be grateful for your support. Tescos have finished handing out vouchers but the Sainsbury’s scheme runs until June 8. Please drop any vouchers into the collecting boxes in the Parish Office.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Methodist Church would like to invite you to the following forthcoming Cafe Evenings in their church hall. On Sunday June 6 they are holding a ‘Timeout Café’, an evening of relaxation and discussion and on Sunday July 4 the subject is a ‘A Good Read’ an evening of book reviews and discussion. The evenings start at 6.30pm and include tea, coffee and cakes with no entrance charge. For further details please contact Sue Ward on 01689 869081.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Evening WI’s annual meeting on May 13 was well attended with Eve Wiltshire re-elected president and Joan Beacom taking over as secretary. Poems by Pam Ayres and one by Chris were read by two members and a wall quiz to ponder over made sure the evening had its usual friendly feel. On June 10 Lesley Gould will tell members of the Life of a Japanese Woman. If you would like to know more ring Eve 01959 524887 or Joan 524304.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Branch of The Embroiderers’ Guild meet in the Memorial Hall on Saturday for an all day workshop with David Nicholls on Celtic Knotwork Design and Methods of Construction.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Folk Dance Club meet tonight (27) in the Church Hall, High Street, opposite the Bull, with Margaret Browning 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 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
Otford Village Fete opens at 12 noon on Monday May 31 with the procession due to leave Hale Lane for its journey through the village to the recreation ground at 11.30am.

Otford Allotments Association will selling quality plants, grown by their expert gardeners. You will also be able to win (or loose) a small fortune playing their fun Human Vegetable Machine game. You are invited to go along and join in. For more information view www.otford.info/allotments

Hospices of Hope are delighted to have a team from the “Rock Choir” singing on their behalf at the Fete and encourage visitors to go along to enjoy their music.

Otford Evening WI will be having their regular cake and plant stall.

Otford Gardeners Society promise that come rain, hail, thunder or sunshine (yes, we have had them all) you will find them on the recreation ground with their stall selling ornamental and edible plants all raised by our own members. Visit them and grab a bargain.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
1940’s Society meet in the Memorial Hall Friday (21) at 8pm to enjoy a presentation on the French Resistance during the second world war by Terry Crowdy. Author and historian Terry will describe how the resistance was organised and run, and the role of British security services in its organisation. He spoke to the Society in September 2009 about ‘Deceiving Hitler’ and they are delighted to have him back for what promises to be an excellent evening.

Terry Crowdy, the author of a number of articles and books,has long been fascinated by many aspects of military history taking great pleasure delving into forgotten historical sources and seeking information that has eluded others. The 1940’s Society hold friendly meetings to learn more about life in the 1940’s, admission is £3, and further details are available from Ian on 01732 452505 or visit the website www.1940.co.uk

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Kent branch of the British Irish Society are holding a combined show and display in the Methodist church hall on Saturday (22) with free entrance and plants for sale.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Oast WI meet at 9.30am this Thursday (20) in the Memorial Hall for their AGM and Resolutions meeting to review the past six months, elect their new committee and discuss and vote on this year's WI resolutions. There is a free creche at every meeting, your first visit is free, second visit £3 and annual membership is £29.50. All welcome. Contact Sue Isted 01959 523419 if you would like more information.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Annual Assembly, more commonly called the Annual Parish meeting for electors of the Parish, is being held in the Club Room of the Memorial Hall at 7.30pm on Monday May 24. This is your opportunity to ask questions about what is happening in the village.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Need more exercise, but don't want anything too strenuous then go along and join in with the small friendly group of folk dancers who meet every Monday afternoon, except during August, at the Otford Methodist hall between 2.00 to 3.30 pm. You don't need to take a partner and the dances are called and walked through so you don't need experience. The dances are a mix of old and new, mainly traditional English and Barn Dance. There is no subscription you just pay £1.50 per session including tea & biscuit. Contact Kath Larkin 01959 522355 for a welcome or further details.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Players are holding a Barn Dance and Ceilidh on Saturday (15) in the Memorial Hall. Tickets cost £10 each which includes food but please take along your own drinks. For tickets contact Carole Cole 01959 525404, carole.cole.21@googlemail.com.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Kent branch of the British Irish Society are holding a combined show and display in the Methodist church hall on May 22 between 12 noon and 4pm. Entrance is free and there will be plants for sale.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Why weight comes to Otford. Residents have an opportunity to get into shape when a free, successful, weight management course comes to the village. Why Weight is a weight loss programme and classes will run every Friday morning starting this Friday (14) for the next 12 weeks.

The course aims to encourage those people who have at least two stone to lose to take control of their lifestyle by balancing a healthy diet with regular exercise. Each Why Weight session includes a 30 minute, motivational exercise class for all fitness levels, weekly weigh-ins and nutrition advice.

Throughout the programme, the Why Weight nutritionist will offer support and motivation to help participants to manage their weight effectively. To find out more, or sign up to the programme, residents should speak with their GP, practice nurse or any health professional or contact Sevenoaks District Council on 01732 227000.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The cricket season has just got underway and Otford cricket club welcomes new members, both young and old. There are 2 senior teams on Saturdays and one on Sundays. The club holds outdoor nets after 6.30pm on a Thursday evening on the recreation ground. If you are interested in playing, umpiring or scoring, or just in getting involved with a successful local club, go along on a Thursday evening or contact Saturday 1st XI captain Peter Richardson on 01732 848633.

Wondering what to do with your children on a Sunday morning? Otford CC Colts is also open to new members. The junior part of the club had close to 150 members last year. It will be running 6 sides in the Mid Kent Youth League this coming season. It also competes in tournaments and friendlies. Coaching is available for ages from school year 2 (age 7) up to year 10 on Sunday mornings between 10.30 to 12.30 on the recreation ground. The first coaching session is on Sunday (9) and every Sunday except Whitsunday until Sunday July 25. For full details and to sign up contact Mark Stevens, Colts Manager, on 01959 523881.

PARISH COUNCIL - MAY NEWSLETTER
The May edition of the newsletter is now on-line. Read all about: Annual Assembly, Spotlight on the Parish Council, Community Warden Surgery, Otford Village Fete, Kent Police, Baby & Toddler Fair and Nearly New Sale, Barn Dance and Ceilidh, Otford Allotment Association, Yoga Class, Otford Gardeners’ Society, Sevenoaks Embroiderers’ Guild, St Bartholomew’s Church Fair, Twinning, Iris Society, Otford Oast WI, Otford Afternoon WI, Otford Evening WI, Plant Fair and Farmers Market, Picture of the Month, Hospices of Hope/ Events, Knole DFAS, Sevenoaks DFAS, Otford Primary Top Draw, Citizens Advice Bureau Surgery 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.