VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Parish Council held an open morning in the Memorial Hall on Saturday November 12 offering an opportunity to think about how Otford will celebrate the Queens Jubilee next June. There were lots of ideas, including planting a maze on Palace Field, and villagers were given the opportunity to have their say on how this momentous event should be celebrated. A website is being set up that can be accessed via www.otford.net and the Parish Council would like to hear from any village groups, clubs and organisations that would like to participate.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The next Parish Council meeting starts at 7.30pm in the Club Room of the Memorial Hall on December 12.  Minutes of meetings are available via the web, www.otford.info/parishcouncil, or in the library as are copies of the Helplines Directory which can be printed off for residents if required.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The 1940’s Society meet in the Memorial Hall at 8pm tomorrow night (Friday 25) to hear a talk by Jon Mills entitled Is Defeat Final? The European Governments in Britain 1940-45.

With Germany occupying most of Western Europe by the summer of 1940, Britain became the only country from which displaced European governments and their armed forces could continue the fight against Nazism.

Jon Mills looks at the activities of these exiled allied governments and armies, their continued fight against oppression and, in some cases, their eventual return to their liberated countries. He is a well known expert on British Home Front and has written a number of excellent books on home front organisations and military matters and regularly writes for a number of history and genealogy magazines as well as giving lectures.

Friendly meetings learning more about life in the 1940’s cost £3, further details from Ian 01732 452505 or visit the website www.1940.co.uk

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Start your Christmas Shopping at Otford’s Festival on Sunday between 11am and 4pm when the shops, businesses, pubs and restaurants will be open for business.  There will be street entertainment, a choir, mincepies and a visit from Father Christmas.   The Methodist halls will also be open for coffee and mince pies after morning service. An opportunity to enjoy a fun day out whilst supporting your local community.
www.OtfordShopping.co.uk

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Art Group is holding a Sale and Exhibition of their original paintings, prints and cards on Sunday between 10.30am and 3pm in the Club Room of the Memorial Hall.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Embroiderers Guild meet in the Memorial Hall for their Christmas party on Saturday followed by ‘Touching the Past’ a nostalgic journey by Neredan McCarthy.  Morning sessions start at 10am and afternoons at 2pm.  Sylvia Grafton 01732 452117 has more information.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford's Christmas Shopping Festival takes place on Sunday November 27 between 11am and 4pm when the shops, businesses, pubs and restaurants will be open for
business.  Street entertainment will include Bobbo the Clown, Morris Dancers, Handbell Ringing and the Primary School Choir with Father Christmas making a visit.  The Methodist halls will be open for coffee and mince pies  from after morning service until 3pm and mince pies will also be distributed in the High Street on napkins to remind us ‘Why a mince pie at Christmas’.  This is an opportunity to support your local shops while enjoying a fun day out and shopping early without the crowds.
www.OtfordShopping.co.uk

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
St. Bartholomew's Christmas Market is on Saturday between 10am and 2pm in the church centre with stalls including gift wrapping, cards, table decorations, candles, cakes, winter woollies, sweets, chocolates and a super raffle.  Seasonal refreshments will be available and a pick a present from the tree for the children.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford & District Wine Club meet at 8pm in the Memorial Hall on Wednesday 23rd for a cabaret evening. Cheese and biscuits will be provided, but please take along your own drinks. There will be a live cabaret with a chance to sing along to some of the songs. This evening is free to Club members with guests being charged £3. For further information contact the Secretary 01732 458240.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Rockdale is holding a Special event at The Chapel, Tonbridge School on Saturday December 10 with a Carol Concert and the Sackville Singers Adult and Children’s Choirs will be performing in this wonderful venue.  The Concert starts at 6.30pm and lasts for about an hour.   Tickets are £15 each and all the proceeds go towards the building of the new residential home at Rockdale in the centre of Sevenoaks.  Book tickets online through www.rockdale.org.uk telephone 01732 458762 or email: fundraising@rockdale.org.uk. This event is kindly being sponsored by Warners Solicitors.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Oast WI meet at 9.30am in the Memorial Hall on Thursday November 17 for a card making dabble session.  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 their Secretary Jane Dean 01732 460512 for more information.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Clearing out your cupboard, loft or garage prior to Christmas?  The Starlight Dance School is offering the opportunity to rent a table at their fund raising Boot Fair in the Memorial Hall on Saturday November 19 to turn your unwanted items into cash.    Light refreshments, tea and coffee.  This event is being held to raise funds to buy new dresses for the dance formation team to wear when they travel to Blackpool to dance against the whole of the UK.  To book a table, costing £9, contact Jackie 01959 522912. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
“MYSTERY ANIMALS OF KENT” is the subject of Kent Wildlife Trusts Sevenoaks branches meeting tomorrow night (11) at 7.30pm at the Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre, Sevenoaks Reserve, Bradbourne Vale Road, TN13 3DH.  Entrance £3 per adult, £1 student.  Neil Arnold, a researcher and author will share his twenty years worth of evidence of strange, non-native animals in the south-east from ‘big cats’ to wallabies.   For further information contact David Nimmo 01689 828831 or davidwnimmo@tiscali.co.uk. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Fancy a Murder Mystery then book tickets from Hospices of Hope for their event at 7pm on Saturday (12) at Bessels Green Baptist Church, Sevenoaks. The mystery entitled “How do you solve a problem like Maria?” will be acted out by talented office staff and friends at the church. Tickets are £12 each which includes a light supper.  Contact Carole 01959 525110 carole@hospicesofhope.co.uk.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Remembrance Day is this Sunday (13) and between 10.45 and 11.15am traffic will be halted at the pond.  If you are making a journey which necessitates travelling through the centre of the village please allow extra time and be patient.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Parish Council representatives are holding a coffee morning in the Memorial Hall on Saturday (12) between 10.30am and 12.15pm and invite you to go along to share your views, ideas, suggestions for how Otford should celebrate next year’s Diamond Jubilee.  If you can’t make the date then let the Parish Council know your views by phoning 01959 524808, emailing otfordpc@btinternet.com or by calling into The School House in the High Street.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Players ‘Alice – the Panto’ opens tonight (10) at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall and continues on Friday and Saturday with an extra matinee performance on Saturday at 2pm.  Tickets from 01959 525404 or visit the website www.otford.info/otfordplayers. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford branch of the Quilling Guild meet between 1.30 and 4.30pm on Saturday (12) with Sylvia Grafton.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The Parish Council would like to hear from you if you have an empty garage or parking space you would like to rent 01959 524808.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The Sevenoaks link of Hospice in the Weald is holding its annual Christmas Fair in the Memorial Hall between 10am and 2.30pm on Saturday (5th).  There will be over 30 stalls including cake and craft stalls, a raffle, coffee, tea and light lunches.  Entry by donation.  For more details contact Janet 01732 761104.    

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Rescued Animals in Need (RAIN) held a very successful sale on Friday October 21 when an amazing £1122.69 was raised. They would like to thank all those who continue to support them and enable them to care for, and re-home, unwanted and stray animals.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Starlight Dance School is holding a fund raising Boot Fair in the Memorial Hall on Saturday November 19.    The school holds this event annually to raise funds to buy new dresses for the dance formation team to wear when they travel to Blackpool to dance against the whole of the UK.  Light refreshments, tea and coffee will be available together with a table full of goodies.  To book a table, costing £9, contact Jackie 01959 522912. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks Kent Wildlife Trust is meeting at 7.30pm on Friday November 11 for an illustrated  talk by Neil Arnold “MYSTERY ANIMALS OF KENT”.  Twenty years worth of evidence of strange, non-native animals in the south-east:  ‘big cats’ to wallabies.  As researcher and author Neil works with BBC, ITV, SKY, C4 & zoologists to ensure such animals are recognised by the authorities.  Entrance £3 adult, £1 student.   The Trust meet at the Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre, Sevenoaks Reserve (previously known as Wildfowl Reserve), entrance is on north side of A25, Bradbourne Vale Rd, between Riverhead and Bat & Ball,TN13 3DH.  For further information contact David Nimmo 01689 828831 or davidwnimmo@tiscali.co.uk. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Hospices of Hope is hosting another tantalising Murder Mystery written by Noah Mystem  (Aka Ronald Clements) at 7pm on Saturday November 12 at Bessels Green Baptist Church, Sevenoaks. The mystery entitled “How do you solve a problem like Maria?” will be acted out by talented office staff and friends at the church. Noah has written 2 previous mysteries for the charity and all guests enjoy trying to solve his fiendishly difficult plots.  Tickets are £12 each which includes a light supper.  Contact Carole 01959 525110 carole@hospicesofhope.co.uk.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Evening WI enjoyed a very successful Auction, organised by Linda Dunning, at their October meeting and are looking forward to hearing Mrs Sheila Boyd speak about King William IV and Mrs Dora Jordan at their meeting on November 10 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall. Guests are welcome to attend with a view to becoming future members.  For more details contact Joan Beacom 01959 524304.