VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Play Place Innov8 CIC, a not for profit community company, will be delivering fun activities for children, young people and families across a number of Sevenoaks parishes in 2011 and will be working in Otford on the High Street recreation ground during the half term holiday period. These activities are supported and funded by Otford Parish Council, KCC Wardens Services and a Members Fund Grant (Nick Chard). The project will provide sport, craft, music and outings and aims to support young people and children between 8 and 16 years of age. The youth team of experienced workers will be based under gazebos and will be on the recreation ground at half term on Tuesday May 31 and Thursday June 2 between 3pm and 6pm and then every Thursday during term time between 6pm and 8pm and Tuesday and Thursday during the Summer holiday period with times being confirmed at a later date

There is no need to pre-register anyone interested is welcome to go along.  Those under 11 will need a parent’s consent form signed on day one and under 8’s may attend if accompanied by a parent/carer.  As no food will be provided on site you are welcome to take along a picnic and a soft drink.  For more information contact Chris Hennis 07788 718678 or hennischris@aol.com.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Village Fete, with a Circus Theme, is on Bank Holiday Monday from 12 noon. The parade starts at 11.30am from the Hale Lane recreation ground and proceeds to the Fete Arena at the High Street recreation ground.  You can join in as a participant or just watch it go by.   To celebrate the dog show, organised by Elands Veterinary Clinic, all dog owners are invited to join in the parade.  You can meet at the Hale Lane Recreation Ground or simply join the parade as it passes by. 
To enter the dog show you need to register on the day.  A list of various categories can be found on the fete website www.otford.info/villagefete  or email patty.chatterjee@virgin.net.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
At the recent Parish Council meeting Otford Parish Councillors presented their retiring Chairman, John Allen, with a parting gift in recognition of his 20 years service, 9 of which he had served as their Chairman.  John Allen welcomed his successor, John Edwards-Winser, who had also been elected one of Otford’s District Councillors at the recent  District Council Elections.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford's 1940 Club meet tomorrow, Friday 20, at 8pm in the Memorial Hall to hear a presentation entitled ‘The Air Raid Siren’ by Gordon Dennington.   The wail of the siren a sound that still sends a shiver down the spine of those that remember the war years.

Gordon will be looking at pre-war developments, other warning devices, how the warning system worked, special arrangements for other types of attack and post-war uses as well as the final “All Clears”. This should be a fascinating evening on an unusual subject and well worth coming along to.
Gordon Dennington may be better known to members as Lewis Blake, author of published works on WW2. Gordon also edits Lewisham History Society’s quarterly newsletter, and has written articles in various publications.  A post-graduate of London and Oxford, he grew up in the war years: bombed out in the Blitz, a three-time evacuee, shelterer for a time in Chislehurst Caves, and more besides.  Gordon likes to give talks on lesser-known aspects of the war-time Home Front, hence his choice for the present talk.
Learn more about life in the 1940’s.  Amission £3. Further details from Ian 01732 452505 or visit the Web Site at: www.1940.co.uk

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Oast WI meet at 9.30 this morning in the Memorial Hall for their AGM plus Phoenix cards and Jewellery Therapy.  Go along or contact Secretary Jane Dean 01732 460512 for more information.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Kent Group of the British Iris Society meet in the Methodist Hall on Saturday between 12 noon and 4pm to display their plants, competitions and photographic displays.  Irises and other plants will be on sale and refreshments will be available.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Christian Aid Week sale in the Memorial Hall 11.30 to 2pm in the Methodist church hall on Saturday with light lunches being served.  Stalls include home-made cakes, fancy goods, and plants. Further information from Audrey Curnow 01732 885597.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Gardeners’ Society will be on the Recreation Ground bright and early on Bank Monday May 30 to set up their stall at the Village Fete.   They will be selling ornamental and edible plants all raised by their our own members.  You are invited to visit and grab a bargain. The fete procession leads off at 12 noon and the fete opens at 1pm.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Methodist Church is supporting Christian Aid Week May 15–21 by holding a sale in their hall on Saturday May 21 between 11.30am and 2.00pm. Stalls will include home-made cakes, fancy goods, plants, etc. Light lunches will be served throughout and all will be very welcome.  For further information ring Audrey Curnow 01732 885597.
Both St. Bartholomew’s and Otford Methodist church will also be distributing and collecting envelopes on behalf of Christian Aid throughout the village and you are asked to give generously.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
St Bartholomew's are organising a churchyard working party on Saturday (14th) and anyone able to support the regular team will be most welcome at 9am together with any useful tools.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Hospices of Hope are holding a Literary Lunch with Margaret Durdant-Hollamby MBE, on Tuesday May 17 at Hotel Du Vin, Tunbridge Wells. Margaret is the Founder of The Stag theatre in Sevenoaks, she will talk about her life and her autobiography "Life's not a Rehearsal". 12 noon for 12.30pm, £26.50 to include a pre lunch drink, two course lunch and coffee. Tickets available from Vanessa 01959 525110 vanessa@hospicesofhope.co.uk

Hospices of Hope would also like to hear from anyone who has a few hours to spare and would like to help in their new shop in the High Street, or the adjacent Tea and Coffee Shop. If you can spare a few hours each week call in for an application form or ring the shop on 01959 524322 and speak to Jo or Sue.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Players are hosting a Barn Dance/Ceilidh in the Memorial Hall on Saturday (14). Tickets are £10 each, which includes dinner and pudding but take along your own drinks. Check ticket availability by calling Carole 01959 525404 or email otfordplayers@otford.net.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Evening WI's Annual meeting is being held tonight (Thu) in the Memorial Hall when a new committee will be elected and resolutions discussed. New members would be made very welcome. For further details contact Eve Wiltshire 01959 524887 or Joan Beacom 01959 524304.