VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
1940’s Society meet tomorrow night at 8pm in the Memorial Hall for Digging for Victory – An Evening of Wartime Films.  At the outbreak of the Second World War the British government had a big problem on its hands with food production. Over 55 million tons of food had been imported into the country in 1938 and, as with the First World War, the German U-boats were expected to attack our merchant shipping and try to starve the country into surrender.

The Government had to act quickly to make the country self sufficient in food production and the “Dig For Victory” campaign was a major part in persuading the population to roll up their sleeves and grow food for themselves and for the good of the nation.

This is an opportunity to see some of the fascinating films that were produced to explain why growing your own food was so important, what you should be growing, and, for those that had never before picked up a spade, how you go about growing it!  Admission £3. Further details from Ian 01732 452505 or visit www.1940.co.uk

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Kikodo Open Day Sunday between 10am and 4pm.  Kikodo Clinic & Kikodo Centre will be open all day on Sunday for free Testers and Trials. Enjoy 15/20 minutes treatment or consultations of osteopathy, cranialosteopathy, acupuncture, massage, aromatherapy, reiki etc. Try yoga, pilates, tai chi. Watch demonstrations of Karate and Kickboxing for adults and children.   Event is free but booking is essential.  Full details and schedule at www.kikodo.co.uk  or phone 01732 451839.  Email info@kikodo.co.uk 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Wildlife Talk, 65 years of Beekeeping, will be held on Monday January 17 at 7.15pm at the Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre, Sevenoaks Reserve, Bradbourne Vale Rd, Sevenoaks TN13 3DH.
Everything you wanted to know about bees but were afraid to ask!  Albert Einstein is quoted as saying "If bees disappeared the human race would not survive four years".  Go along and hear why - from Peter Springhall of the Bromley Beekeepers Association. £3 adults, £1 child under 16, includes light refreshments.  For details contact David Nimmo 01689-828831 or email davidwnimmo@tiscali.co.uk.

PARISH COUNCIL - JANUARY NEWSLETTER
The January edition of the newsletter is now on-line. Read all about: Parish Chairman's News, Letter from Barbara Darby, Heritage Tree Survey, Otford & District Wine Club, The Darent Valley Choir, Community Warden Surgery, Police Contact Numbers, Otford & District Historical Society, India Bike Ride 3-12 November 2011, January's Eco Tip from the Otford Green Team, Knole Decorative and Fine Arts Society, Yoga Class, Friends of Otford Library (FOOLS), Library Volunteering, Christmas Guide Post, Otford Oast WI, Otford Afternoon WI, Otford Evening WI, Picture of the Month, Hospices of Hope, 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.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
A big thank you to everyone in the village who supported the Guide Christmas Post Service in 2010. The fantastic sum of £407.80 was raised from the sale of stamps and has been divided between Spring House Family Support Centre, Sevenoaks and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. We apologise for any late deliveries due to the snow and ice which hampered us for a second year running. Thanks must also go to Angela in the library and Barbara and Sue in the Parish Office who sell the stamps for us and Gerry Froggatt who organises the stamps and posters as we could not run the post service without them.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Parish Council start 2011 with a new Parish Clerk, Barbara Darby having retired after over 25 years of sterling service to the Parish. Brenda Hambrook took up her new position in January, ably assisted by Assistant Clerk Sue Stephenson. They can be contacted at the Parish Council Office, at The School House, 21 High Street between 8.30am and 12.30 Monday to Friday, 01959 524804, fax 01959 525298 or by emailing otfordpc@btinternet.com. For those interested in all the activities of OPC the minutes of meetings are available in the library, and all minutes, agendas and newsletters can be obtained via the web. Copies of the Helplines Directory can be printed off by residents or read via http://www.otford.info/parishcouncil.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Celebrate Australia Day with the Otford & District Wine Club who are holding an Australian Wine Tasting evening with music, cheese & biscuits in the Memorial Hall on Wednesday January 26 at 8pm. This event it free for members with guest paying £4.. For further information contact Denise on 01959 523115.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
West Kent campaign for public services holds its inaugural meeting at 7.30pm on Wednesday February 16 at the Angel Centre, Tonbridge. This event is part of the week of action on cuts proposed by the Coalition of Resistance and supported by anti-cuts groups through the UK. If you would like further information contact Steve Dawe 01732 355185.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The Christmas tree disposal service operated by Sevenoaks District Council via their fortnightly garden waste collection service up to, and including, Monday January 31. Christmas trees with trunks less than 89mm (three and a half inches) wide will be collected from your boundary on your scheduled fortnightly garden waste collection day. Trees must be put out by 7am minus any pots, stands or decorations. Trees with a trunk more than 89mm wide can be taken to the Council's Household Recycling site for composting.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The next surgery of Sevenoaks Neighbourhood Policing Team will be held at Otford Post Office, The Parade, between 3 and 4pm on Monday and at Homebase between 2 and 3pm on Monday January 17 if you have any local policing issues.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Rockdale cordially invites you to their St. Valentine's Quiz Night at 7.15pm on Friday February 11 in the Beatrice Wilson Common Room, Rockdale Road. There will be a licensed bar, prizes and St. Valentine's surprises. Further details from Jill Griffiths 01732 456121.