VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Methodist Church's Christingle service is on Saturday at 5pm and on Christmas Day the family service is at 10am. 
On Saturday December 31, New Year’s Eve, there will be a Watchnight Service to see in the New Year at 11.30pm. 
On Sunday January 8 at 10.30am they are holding a Covenant Service (renewal of vows to God) and a week of prayer for Christian Unity is being held between January 18 and 25 with a United Service at Holy Trinity RC church at 8pm on Tuesday January 24.
For more information contact Minister Kath Pawlett 01959 522196 www.otfordmethodistchurch.org.uk. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The Parish church of St Bartholomew is holding a Christmas Eve Crib service at 4pm on Saturday and Midnight Communion at 11.30pm preceded by carols at 11.10pm.
On Christmas Day the church family Christmas worship is at 10.30.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Brenda Hambrook’s weekly yoga classes between 7.30 and 9pm in Otford Church Hall start on Tuesday January 3.  All abilities welcome.  Brenda’s can be contacted on 01959 525969 www.otfordyoga.co.uk.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Folk Dance Club meet on New Year’s Day, January 2, dancing to Pilgrims Way.  Meetings are held every Thursday throughout the year at 8pm in the Otford Church Hall, Otford High Street, opposite the Bull public house. The cost is one pound fifty which includes tea or coffee and biscuits. All kinds of mixed folk dances are on offer with a caller calling the dances. All are welcome, if you have little or no dance knowledge the caller will give help and your fellow dancers will also assist you. The emphasis is on friendly enjoyment rather than perfection. Ring Peter George for more information 01959 522105.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Library now has a Home Library Service, available to anyone who is no longer able to get to the Library covering Farningham, Eynsford, Shoreham, Otford and Knatts Valley.  Ring the Library, 01959 522488, for more information.

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Thank you to all contributors to this column during 2011.  I look forward to continuing to receive your news and information throughout 2012 and wish you a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful and successful New Year.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford’s friendly yoga class starts a new term at Otford Church Hall on Tuesday January 3, 2012.  Classes are weekly, 7.30 to 9.00pm and cost £8 per lesson.  Beginners and all abilities are welcome.  For further details and to reserve a place contact Brenda Hambrook 01959 525969 (www.otfordyoga.co.uk).

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The Guide Christmas post box in the Parish office and Library closes tomorrow December 16.  Stamps remain at 20p per card with all money going to Hospice in the Weald and the Bridge Trust.   The cards will be delivered by Brownies, Guides and Leaders over this weekend. 

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Methodist church invites you to celebrate the birth of Jesus with them at their special services and stay for refreshments. 
Sunday December 18 10.30am Christmas Nativity family service, 6.30pm Carols by Candlelight, Saturday December 24 Christmas Eve 5pm Christingle service and Sunday December 25 10am Christmas Day service for all the family.  For more information contact Minister Kath Pawlett 01959 522196 www.otfordmethodistchurch.org.uk

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
The Parish church of St Bartholomew Sunday December 18 10am Nativity play and Christmas presentation 10am, Nine Lessons and Carols, followed by refreshments in the church centre 6.30pm.
December 24 Christmas Eve Crib service 4pm and Midnight Communion at 11.30pm preceded by carols at 11.10pm.
Christmas Day, Holy Communion 9am, church family Christmas worship 10.30.
Church office number 01959 523185.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
A reminder that Sevenoaks Branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild do not meet in December, their next meeting is on January 28 in the Memorial Hall.  Meetings start at 10am and end with tea and cake at about 4pm.  New members welcome.  More information from Caroline Vincent 01732 453124.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Oast WI meet this morning in the Memorial Hall at 9.30am for their Birthday meeting and Christmas Customs.  Visitors and new members welcome.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford folk dance club meet tonight at 8pm in the Church Hall, High Street, dancing to Whirling Dervish with Eddie calling.  The cost is one pound fifty which includes tea or coffee and biscuits.   All kinds of mixed folk dances are on offer with a caller calling the dances.   All are welcome, if you have little or no dance knowledge the caller will give help and your fellow dancers will also assist you.   The emphasis is on friendly enjoyment rather than perfection.   More information from Peter George 01959 522105.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Guide Christmas Post Box. Otford’s Brownies and Guides will once again be running a Christmas Post Service to deliver all your cards for Otford Village. A post box will be available in Otford library between now and Friday December 16 inclusive, during opening hours, with a second box in the Parish Office available Monday to Friday between the same dates. The cards will be delivered by Brownies, Guides and Leaders over the weekend of December 17/18 and all proceeds will be divided between Hospice in the Weald and The Bridge Trust.
Stamps will remain at 20p per card this year with all money going to their chosen charities. They ask you to please give generously and support them by posting early to ensure this year’s service is a successful one.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
St Bartholomew's Church Choir Annual Christmas Concert, now in it's 29th year, will take place in the church on Sunday December 11 at 7.30.p.m. The choir, directed by Kevin Grafton, will perform many arrangements of traditional carols plus some original compositions. The programme will also include traditional carols from England and all across Europe, ranging from medieval items to West Gallery hymns spanning from the 14th to 21st centuries, and featuring from the ox and ass to the jingling bells of Rudolph. Audience participation is encouraged for traditional carols. Admission is an inflation-beating £5, ( children free) which includes wine, soft drinks and mince pies.
Proceeds go to the choir fund and The Childrens' Society.

The Tree of Light service will take place at 7.00pm tomorrow (9) on the Village Green followed by refreshments in the St Bartholomew’s church centre. Labels for your message are available from the Parish Council Office between 8.30 and 12.30 or ring them and they will write your label for you. Cheques for your donation should be made out to Otford Parish Council with all monies going to the Hospice in the Weald. The tree will remain lit until after the New Year.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
An update on the willow tree on the pond. The severe pruning has been done to remove some of the weight from the base of the main trunk which has an internal cavity caused by rot and if action had not been taken the whole tree would have fallen down. The aim next year is to plant a new large sapling adjacent to the established tree and then over the next couple of years remove the established tree.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford's footballers and cricketers have been saddened by the death of David Knell, a longstanding and valued worker for both village teams. For years David Knell, who died in November marked the football pitches on the recreation ground, cut the grass and even cleaned out changing rooms. In the summer months he had years of cutting the outfield for the cricket club and, when the occasion called for it, helped in the preparation of the cricket square and other jobs involved in running a sports club. In the words of David Hobson, chairman of Otford United, David Knell was "a true servant of the football club." Michael Carter, chairman of Otford Cricket Club, declared: "For many years David Knell voluntarily cut our outfield, sometimes working on the square. Always he was ready to help where it was needed and we are in his debt."

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Irene and John Palmer present an illustrated talk ‘The Weird and Wonderful World of Orchids, a tale of seduction and deception’ at the Jeffery Harrison Visitor Centre, Sevenoaks Reserve at 7.30pm tomorrow (9). Orchids have played a part in myths and legends and have been used as aphrodisiacs since ancient times. However, their real role is to attract pollinating insects and they do this in some quite extraordinary ways. Charles Darwin's studies underpin our current knowledge of the subject. The talk includes both British and foreign orchids. Entrance adult £3, students £1, with mince pies and a drink included in the price. The Reserve is on north side of A25, Bradbourne Vale Rd, TN13 3DH between Riverhead and Bat & Ball. For further information contact David Nimmo 01689 828831 davidwnimmo@tiscali.co.uk.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Don't hibernate this winter, turn your heating down and enjoy the warmth at Sevenoaks Indoor Bowling Club, Hollybush Close. Take the opportunity to try a new pastime and Bowl4Free for a month, you'll be surprised how addictive it is. Excellent facilities and a warm welcome guaranteed. For more information ring 01732 451889, or look at the web site www.sevenoaksindoorbowls.co.uk

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Sevenoaks RSPB group welcome John Buckingham tonight in the Memorial Hall at 7.45pm for an illustrated talk entitled The Arctic Summer. This is a chance to see the incredible landscapes and wildlife of Iceland and Svalbord.  Entrance fee including a mince pie £2.50 for members and £3.50 for non members.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Gardeners’ Society is holding a Quiz and Fun Night at 7.30pm on December 7 in the Memorial Hall.   The social evening starts with a warm-up quiz to break the ice followed by a table quiz with prizes for the winners.  The maximum table team size is 6.  For details of all events please contact the Society Secretary, Janet Finney on 01959 523760, e-mail gardeners@otford.net or visit our website www.otford.info/gardeners.
team size is 6 people.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
There will be a 1940’s Christmas Special Swing Dance from 7.30pm till midnight in the Memorial Hall on Saturday (3rd) .  Dress to Impress, 1940s preferred.  Free tea, coffee & doughnuts, Please take your own drinks.  Tickets £6 in advance or £7 on the door from 07506 851862 or www.spitfirebounce.com.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Methodist Church invites you to go and celebrate the Birth of Jesus with them at their special services and stay for refreshments on Sunday December 18 10.30am Christmas Nativity Family Service and 6.30pm Carols by Candlelight. 

On Christmas Eve Saturday December 24 5.00pm Christingle Service and on Christmas Day Sunday December 25 10.00am Christmas Day Service for all the Family. 

For more information please contact their Minister Kath Pawlett 01959 522196 www.otfordmethodistchurch.org.uk.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Otford Evening WI will celebrate Christmas at their meeting on December 8 with inhouse entertainment provided by members.  Earlier in December they will visit Winchesters Christmas Market.  For more information contact Eve Wiltshire 01959 524887 or Sandra Thomas 0208 402 4634 who is their new Secretary, Joan Beacom having retired.

VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727
Hospices of Hope is holding a Quiz Night on Saturday (3) at 7pm in their Otford Tea Rooms.   If you haven’t already been to one of their Quiz evenings, you really should.  They are fun, informal but always competitive.  Be tested by their Quiz Master whilst enjoying a lovely supper.  Tickets £12 contact wendy@hospicesofhope.co.uk 01959 525110.  For details of all their fund raising events visit their website www.hospicesofhope.co.uk.