VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Hospices of Hope in the High Street are seeking volunteers to participate in their Transylvanian Challenge to Hike the Carpathians, Bike Transylvanian June 3-11, a trip with a difference, 7 days of challenges, 2 days of volunteering.  The cost to participate is £450 excluding flights plus you have to raise £500 minimum sponsorship.  For more information please contact Jill Patterson 01959 525110 jill@hospicesofhope.co.uk. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Dog Fouling is a big problem on both the pavements and the recreation ground in the village, especially around the new pavilion and on the football pitches.  Plenty of bins are available including normal waste bins.  Put your bags into the bins or take them home and dispose of them properly do not throw them into the bushes or into the hedgerow.  The dog warden and community warden are on the lookout and the offender(s) will be fined.    

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The Cross Walk, to raise money for your  school, church, club, scout group, playgroup  or any chosen charity or good cause will take place on May 15 and visit the woods and lanes around Shoreham starting at Andrews Wood in Shacklands Road.  Families are encouraged to walk as a team and the organisers (Halstead Scout Group) will supply games and quizzes to complete along the way.  A fee will be charged by the organisers for each family taking part.
Three routes have been planned, 3 miles, 6 miles and 10 miles so that all ages can participate.
A sponsorship form and more information can be obtained from ivegotsorefeet@hotmail.com
or ivegotsorefeet@hotmail.co.uk 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford village fete will have a Circus theme this year with the procession leaving Hale Lane at 11.00am on Bank Holiday Monday May 30.  The gates will officially open at 12 noon with the entry fee remaining at £1 per person and under 14’s admitted free.  If you would like to enter a float in the procession email jackycot@hotmail.co.uk.   There will be numerous stalls, rides and attractions with Elands Veterinary Clinic again running the Dog Show.  Register at their stand at 12 noon for £2.50 per dog/bitch for each class.  Full details of classes will appear on the parish council website in early May.  The Scouts will be organising a BBQ, afternoon tea will be served in the memorial hall, and there will be live music throughout the afternoon.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Rainbows, Brownies and Guides are collecting both Sainsbury’s Active Kids Vouchers and Tesco Vouchers for clubs and schools.  The vouchers are an excellent opportunity for them to acquire extra equipment and experiences at no added cost to the units.  There is no limit to how many can be collected so spread the word to family and friends.  Boxes are located in the Parish Office for drop off during opening hours. 
All three units are thriving and have long waiting lists with the subsequent requirement for new adult leaders or unit helpers.  If you are female, aged 18-65, and would like to help please contact Jane Woodrow-Clark 01959 523342. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Rainbows, Brownies and Guides are collecting both Sainsbury’s Active Kids Vouchers and Tesco Vouchers for clubs and schools.  The vouchers are an excellent opportunity for them to acquire extra equipment and experiences at no added cost to the units.  There is no limit to how many can be collected so spread the word to family and friends.  Boxes are located in the Parish Office for drop off during opening hours. 
All three units are thriving and have long waiting lists with the subsequent requirement for new adult leaders or unit helpers.  If you are female, aged 18-65, and would like to help please contact Jane Woodrow-Clark 01959 523342. 

OTFORD' SOCIETY
The March Newsletter is now online, read about: 'The Way Ahead' from Tony Wiltshire, People Power in the Tudors, Otford Village Fete 2011, Would you like to join Neighbourhood Watch?, The Otford Society and Civic Voice, CPRE – Protect Kent Outings, How the Localism Bill Helps Otford, Otford Society News and 'Dates for your Diary'.

The Annual General Meeting of the Otford Society is on Thursday 31 March 2011 at Otford Village Memorial Hall 8.00pm with guest speaker - Ed Thompson talking on 'The Way we Were - 1970's Otford'

If you are not a member yet (over 1,100 in Otford), please consider joining the Otford Society, contact otfordsociety@otford.net.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Gardeners’ Society Spring Show on March 26 is the 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 2011 which this year is to grow a pot of Calendulas. The show takes place in the Memorial Hall and opens to the public at 2.15pm. Admission is 50p, under 16’s admitted free. Teas will be served until 4pm and there will be a sales table open all afternoon.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Society will be holding their Annual General Meeting in the Memorial Hall on Thursday March 31 at 8pm during which Ed Thompson will be giving a fascinating talk entitled ‘The way we were’.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Hospices of Hope are seeking volunteers to participate in their Transylvanian Challenge between June 3 and 11. This is a trip with a difference. Hike the Carpathians with 7 days of challengers and 2 of volunteering. The cost is £450 excluding flights plus £500 minimum sponsorship. For more information please contact Jill Patterson jill@hospicesofhope.co.uk  01959 525110.
For something less strenuous support them next Friday March 18 at 7.30 for an evening of Manhattan Magic at The Grey Lady, The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells.  An evening of jazz and cabaret from the Great American Song Book featuring the glamorous and gifted New York singer Lesley Alexander with the Robert Reid Trio.  The evening includes a two course supper.  Tickets available from Vanessa@hospicesofhope.co.uk  01959 525110.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Bradbourne Vale Road, is the venue tomorrow (Friday) for a talk entitled The History and Natural History of a Flood Plain Meadow.   Floodplain meadows are very special places, full of flowers in early summer and grazed by sheep and cattle after haymaking.  They are increasingly rare and are of great interest to conservationists and local historians.  Bridget Smith is a keen amateur botanist and since retiring from what is now Natural England has taken a special interest in her local meadow near St Ives in Cambridgeshire.  The talk starts at 7.30, admission £3 adults and £1 students.  For more information contact David Nimmo, 01689 828831  davidwnimmo@tiscali.co.uk

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Players are performing Nobody’s Fool, a comedy by Simon Williams, at 8pm tonight, tomorrow and Saturday in the Memorial Hall.  Tickets are £8 from the box office 01959 525404. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
New Bookings Secretary appointed for Otford Memorial Hall.  After 12 years of looking after the bookings for the hall Pam Dullage has decided to stand down and Lesley Edmeads will be taking over.  The changeover date is not fixed yet as it is dependent on the transferring of the telephone line but will be early March.  The hall booking number remains the same 01959 525181.  With Lesley taking over the bookings it means that a new cleaner is needed.  The hall committee is seeking someone who can go into the hall for one hour before 8.30am Monday to Friday mornings although extra hours can be offered which can be fitted in at your convenience to a maximum of eight hours per week.  The rate of pay is £10.00 per hour. If you are interested please call Ron, the Hall Manager, on either 01959 525181, 07887 780576, or email ovmh.manager@otford.net.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Evening WI’s February speaker was Bridget Kelsey who showed members how to build a basic wardrobe in a range of colours which suited them individually for their  own particular life-style which could be co-ordinated and changed to provide many different outfits.
Future events include a visit to the theatre in Bromley, Walking in London, a tour and tea at the House of Commons plus much more. Farewell was said to long-standing member Audrey Hatch who is moving to Lincolnshire shortly. A past institute secretary, always willing to stand in again at a moment's notice, she will be much missed at their meetings.
They next meet on March 10 in the Club Room when the speaker will be Norman Evans assuring his audience that you can have "Fun with Maths" Visitors are very welcome and meetings start at 7.30pm. Ring Eve on 01959 524887 for more details.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
World Day of Prayer service for 2011, prepared by ladies from Chile, is to be held tomorrow, Friday, at 2pm at St Bartholomew’s church.  The theme for the service is ‘How many loves have you’ and the speaker will be Father Behruz Raf’at from Otford catholic church.  The service will be followed by refreshments in the church centre. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
During Fair Trade Fortnight 2011 Otford Methodist church is holding the following events.  On Shrove Tuesday,  March 8, between 7.30-9.30pm in the hall a Fair Feast Quiz with Pancakes, fillings and hot drinks.  Tickets £6, students £3, from Margaret Digweed 01732 453848 or Doug Cracknell 01959 522325, proceeds to the Methodist Relief and Development Fund.
Ash Wednesday March 9 at 8 pm in the church a Service of Holy Communion led by Rev Kath Pawlett for  the Methodist churches of Sevenoaks and Otford and St Bartholomew’s, church Otford, and anyone else who would like to share in it.
Friday March 11 between 10am-12 noon in the hall Coffee morning and sale of Fair Trade produce.  Coffee free – everyone welcome.