VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The recent Table Top Sale held in the Methodist Church Halls raised an amazing £690.35 to support the work of the Matthew Rusike Children's Home in Zimbabwe. The organisers would like to thank everyone involved in this fund raising event for their help and support which is much appreciated.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Intrepid Stan Miles, who owns the barbers in the High Street, is undertaking yet another fund raising expedition with ex-postie Lennie Metcalfe this time they will be cycling to John O’Groats to raise money for Hospice in the Weald.  The 1000 mile journey starts at the end of August and their aim is to cycle around 15 miles per day on their basic bikes.  If you would like to support Stan and Lennie then please drop your donation into the shop.  This year’s target is £5000 so every contribution will be very welcome.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
YAHOO Holiday Club for primary school children is being held in the Methodist church hall between 9.45pm and 4pm on Monday (1st).  The cost is £5 per child which includes a picnic lunch.  There will be fun, games, stories, puppets and crafts linked to famous Bible stories all with a Wild West – Yahoo – theme.  To register for a place phone Armanda 07904 018987 or email armanda.nick@dsl.pipex.com

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Activities for children, young people and families have started on the High Street recreation ground between 3pm and 6pm every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.  The youth team of experienced workers will work under gazebos providing sport, craft, music and outings.  Under 11’s need a parent’s consent form signed on day one and under 8’s may attend if accompanied by a parent/carer.  Turn up or contact Chris Hennis 07788 718678 hennischris@aol.com for more information.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Embroiderers Guild meet on Saturday from 10am for an all day workshop on Machine Textures with Gina Ferrari, Sylvia Grafton 01732 452117 can provide more details.  No Guild meeting in August.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Allotments Association are holding their annual Open Morning on Saturday (23) between 9.00am and 1pm. This year there will also be a scarecrow competition.  Everyone is invited to go along, visit their prize winning plots, and meet the scarecrows. Admission is free.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford – Hardelot twinning committee is organising a coach trip on Saturday September 17 to the signing of the Twinning Charter between Otford and Neufchatel – Hardelot in France. The signing will be followed by lunch, provided by the major, and there will be an opportunity of a guided walk along the beach, a visit to the Dickens Exhibition in the Chateau or you can simply wander round this lovely area. The cost of the coach will be £25 per adult and £11 per child. If preferred you can travel independently and stay the night with a host family and in return offer overnight hospitality to them on October 8 when the Charter will be signed in Otford. If you would like to register your interest call the Parish Office 01959 524808 and advise whether you require a seat on the coach, or to travel independently with or without hospitality. You will then receive an application form to sign and return with the appropriate money.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Methodist Church is holding a Classic Car Show in their High Street car park between 4.30 and 7.30pm on Saturday (23).  An exceptional display of rare and interesting  cars dating from early last century is expected and photographs of the last event can be seen on their website www.otfordmethodistchurch.org.uk or contact Derek Baxter 01959 523687 for more information. 

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 on the High Street Recreation Ground between 3pm and 6pm on Tuesday and Thursdays during the state school Summer holidays starting on Tuesday July 26.  These activities are supported and funded by Otford Parish Council, KC 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.  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 or drink will be provided on site you are welcome to take along a picnic and a soft drink.  There is no need to pre-register anyone interested is welcome to go along and have fun.  For more information contact Chris Hennis 07788 718678 or hennischris@aol.com.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Embroiderers Guild meet on Saturday July 30 in the Memorial Hall from 10am when there will be an all day workshop on Machine Textures with Gina Ferrari in addition to mini workshops during both the morning and afternoon sessions.  Sylvia Grafton 01732 452117 can provide more details.  The Guild will not be meeting in August.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
1940’s Society meets tomorrow (Friday) night at 8pm in the Memorial Hall when Mike Brown will give a presentation on The Spanish Civil War. 
 Author & historian Mike Brown will be delving into the causes of the civil war, the international politics, and some of the effects it had on the Second World War when it erupted in 1939.  Mike is  a well known and respected author on wartime Britain and always gives a thoroughly engaging and entertaining presentation.  The society are delighted to welcome him again to talk on this lesser known area of wartime Britain and do recommend attending what is sure to be an enlightening evening.   Admission £3. Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 or www.1940.co.uk

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Evening WI are having a 20’s & 30’s Rave Up tonight at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall with Lee Ault and appropriate music.  During July they will also be visiting the House of Commons and enjoying a garden party in the grounds of Broughton Manor.  For more information contact Eve Wiltshire 01959 524887.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Table Top Sale on Saturday at the Methodist Church.  This is being organised by Sevenoaks Methodist Circuit missions and all proceeds will go to children’s and HIV/Aids work in Zimbabwe.  To reserve a table (£10) call Andy Collings 01959 524840. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Hospices of Hope are holding a fund raising Quiz in their High Street Tea Rooms and Gift Shop tomorrow (Friday) from 7.30pm.   Be challenged by their Quiz Master whilst enjoying a light supper.  Tickets £12 contact Wendy 01959 525110 wendy@hospicesofhope.co.uk

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
EllenorLions are holding their Open Garden Summer Spectacular on Sunday between 2pm and 5.30pm at The Chevening Gardens, Chevening Road (off B2211) by kind permission of the Board of Trustees of the Chevening Estate. 

There will be displays by Xtreme Falconry whose owls, falcons, eagles, hawks and vultures will be on show throughout the afternoon.  Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band, the St Giles Ensemble, a roving jazz band and a display by Emma’s Street Dancers are just a few of the other events in and around the main arena. 

Stalls include raffles, books, tombola’s, crafts, cakes, jewellery, watches and local produce as well as face painting and some fairground games for the children.  Enjoy the maze, wander round the gardens and lake then tuck into a delicious barbeque or enjoy a cup of tea whilst watching the action unfold.  At 5pm the Grand Prize Draw will take place for the £1,500 top prize.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Friends of Kent Churches are holding a sponsored ride and hike on Saturday September 10 between 10am and 6pm.  Simon Wragg would be pleased to hear from anyone who would like to take part in either cycling or walking.  Potential sponsors will also be most welcome.  He is organising a rota of people to welcome visiting cyclists and walkers and to sign them in so if you can spare an hour or two please contact him in church or on 01732 462953.  The money raised will be divided between Friends of Kent churches and our parish. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Afternoon WI meet next Tuesday (12) at 2pm to hear Margaret Clift talk about Rags to Riches, the Evening WI meet next Thursday (14) at 2pm when Lee Ault will talk about ‘All the Rage 20’s & 30’s’ and Otford Oast meet the following Thursday (21) at 9.30am to hear about EllenorLions Hospices.  All meetings take place in the Memorial Hall and visitors will be made very welcome.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Methodist Church is holding a number of Summer events including Sevenoaks Methodist Circuit missions Table Top Sale during the morning of Saturday July 16. To reserve a table (£10) call Andy Collings 01959 524840. All proceeds from this event will go to children’s and HIV/Aids work in Zimbabwe. A Classic Car Show on Saturday July 23 from 4.30 to 7.30pm. For more information contact Derek Baxter on 01959 523687 and a Yahoo Holiday Club for primary school children on Monday August 1 between 9.45am and 4pm. The cost is £5 per child which includes a picnic lunch. There will be fun, games, stories, puppets and crafts linked to famous Bible stories all with a Wild west –Yahoo – theme. To register for a place please phone Armanda 07904 018987 or email armanda.nick@dsl.pipex.com.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Tea Rooms and Gift Shop, High Street, is the venue for the next Hospices of Hope fund raising Quiz Night Friday on July 15 from 7.30pm.   Be challenged by their  Quiz Master whilst enjoying a light supper.  Tickets £12 contact Wendy 01959 525110 wendy@hospicesofhope.co.uk