Otford, the village in Kent, South East England

tford.Info
the village in Kent, South East England

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28 NOV	OTFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL Christmas Bazaar. We are very lucky to have such a harworking and dedicated PTA, and as you are aware they are currently organising the Christmas Bazaar. Do please keep the donations for the Christmas Bazaar coming in. The PTA committee members and all their helpers are working very hard to organise what we hope will be another successful Bazaar, with lots to do and loads of Christmas gifts to buy. So if you can't donate, please come and support this venture which is our second biggest fundraiser of the year. Once again Father Christmas will make an appearance in his grotto and the fun starts at 1p.m. Saturday 6th December. The school website, www.otford.kent.sch.uk has now been updated and contains lots of information, diary dates, term times, uniform prices, etc. Please do take the time and have a look at it. Peter Denereaz, Head Teacher.
27 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Kent Highways now advise that the Polhill A224 will not be closed from December 1st. The work to remove two trees will still have to be carried out but the estimated time for this procedure has been reduced from 2 weeks to 2 days! More details as soon as they become available.
27 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Rehearsals for ‘Joe Carpenter & Son’ draw to a conclusion and this blend of humour, music and tradition takes on an agreeable shape. The actors and choirs are working hard and admission programme sales are going well. The aim is to have a packed Church on both nights so that the profits can be divided between St. Bartholomew’s Church and Hospice in the Weald. Seats are available at £5 and £2.50 (for restricted view) with children under five admitted free and under fourteen at half price. Please ring the Box Office 01959 525468 to book your tickets or go along tomorrow (28th) or Saturday night and purchase your ticket on the door.
27 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Christmas Dance, in aid of The Delmelza House Children’s Hospice, 8.00p.m. Friday December 5th, Memorial Hall. Bring your own refreshments and glasses and dance to live 50’s to 90’s music by Biriani. There will be raffles and prizes and tickets are available from Eye 01959 524887 and Sue 01959 522229.
27 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford and District wine club are holding their Christmas Social Saturday 13th December in the Memorial Hall. The evening starts with sherry at 7.15, followed by a three course Christmas dinner with four choices for each course, plus crackers and coffee and mints. Please take your own drinks and glasses. There will be live music for dancing, a raffle and a joke competition. Tickets £14 members £17 non-members. For tickets and menu please ring 01732 761359 but hurry to avoid disappointment.
27 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Open auditions for the next production by Otford Players in March 2004 are being held at 8.00p.m. Tuesday 2nd December and Friday 5th in the Methodist Church Hall, High Street. If you are interested please go along or ring 01959 522786 for further details.
27 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Spring House Family Service is holding their annual Christmas bazaar at their centre in the grounds of Sevenoaks Hospital 1.00p.m. Saturday (29th). This occasion has gained a name for its excellent bargains of gifts, books, cakes, linens, bring-a-brac and toys and for its adults and children’s tombolas. Spring House is an independent local charity which needs to raise funds on a regular basis in order to continue to develop provision of a range of services to support local families with small children who are experiencing difficulties of various kinds. The families come from Sevenoaks, and villages like Otford, as well as from the outlying areas where isolation may be an underlying problem. Local supporters, and in particular volunteers, are valued. This event also serves as an Open Day to give the community an opportunity to see what happens at the Centre.
27 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Christmas Craft Fair 11.30p.m. Sunday 30th November, St. Bartholomew’s Church Hall in aid of Marie Curie. Admission 30p per adult, children admitted free and there will be an admission ticket prize.
20 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford Library has started a Story Time at 2.30p.m. on Tuesdays, term-time only. This is a free service which is open to any child under the age of 5 years and you don’t have to be a member of the library to attend. The Library have a lovely story teller, all the staff are very friendly, and it is guaranteed to be lots of fun. You are invited to take your children along or, if you have any queries, please call in or phone 01959 522488 during opening hours which are Tuesday 9.30a.m.-7.00p.m. Wednesday 2.00.-5.00p.m., Thursday 9.30a.m.-1.00p.m. Friday 9.30a.m.-5.00p.m. Saturday 9.30a.m.-12.30p.m.
20 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Christmas Bazaar in aid of Hospice in the Weald 10.00-3.00p.m. Memorial Hall Saturday 22nd November. There will be many stalls to buy from and refreshments and light lunches will be available throughout the day. This annual event is held to raise money towards the £2 million running cost of Hospice in the Weald. Please ring Janet, 01732 761104, if you would like to make a donation but are unable to go along.
20 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford Gardeners Society are holding a Christmas Social on the 6th December and tickets cost £15 to include a reception, buffet supper, and dancing to music provided by Brian Howard. This event is open to non members and tickets can be obtained from 01959 523373.
20 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Kent Highways have announced the closure of Polhill A224 from Monday 1st December for about two weeks for urgent repairs. The division is by way of Star Hill to Knockholt then via Halstead to Badgers Mount or via Rushmore Hill to Pratts Bottom.
20 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Village Community Players, a group or both experience, and inexperienced, actors present ‘Joe Carpenter & Son’ an English Nativity Play by Graham Clarke 8.00p.m. on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th November in St. Bartholomew’s Church. This production is supported by the District WI and Primary School Choirs, and is directed by Tibbs Finch. Admission is by programme priced at £5, or £2.50 with restricted viewing, and children 5 and under admitted free. These are charity performances in aid of St. Bartholomew’s Church and Hospice in the Weald and programmes can be purchased by ringing 01959 525468.
20 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Please support your local shops, which have recently suffered a spate of burglaries, in particular Jennifer in the Post Office who underwent a very nasty armed robbery. Otford has an active Neighbourhood Watch Scheme so please be especially vigilant and advise your local co-ordinator if you see anything, or anyone, suspicious. The next Police Surgery will take place at the Parish Council offices between 10.00a.m. and 12 noon on Wednesday 7th January when PC Jackie Allen will be joined by Lorraine Chapman from West Kent Housing. If you have any concerns please go along and raise them.
13 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford Players first performance of ‘Happy Families’ is tonight (Thursday) at 8.00p.m. in the Memorial Hall. It promises to be a really good show and some tickets are still available for tomorrow and Saturdays performances. Box Office 01959 522786 - tickets £4 Thursday, and £5 Friday and Saturday to include programme and refreshments.
13 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Plans are in hand for the 50th year celebrations of the Allotment Association and, although all plots are currently let, if you would like to be part of this enjoyable and healthy occupation of allotment gardening then give Barbara Hine a ring on 01959 525468. Barbara will be pleased to show you around and book a plot for you when one becomes available.
13 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford and District Wine Club has started selling tickets for their Christmas Social on Saturday 13th December. Tickets cost £17 to non-members and £14 to members and include a three course Christmas Dinner with coffee and mints, a welcome glass of sherry, live music and a raffle. Please ring the Secretary 01732 761359 if you would like the dinner menu and to book tickets but please hurry to avoid disappointment.
13 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 You are invited to go along to the bazaar being held between 10.00a.m. and 12.00 noon this Saturday, 15th, in the Methodist Church Hall. Have your car washed while you have a coffee and buy from the cake, sweet, craft, toy, grocery, toiletry, white elephant, plant and Tradecraft stalls.
13 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford Scout Supporters would like to thank everyone who helped with their very successful Bonfire and Firework Party on Saturday 1st November. This event raised funds to enable local boys and girls of the 15th Sevenoaks (Otford) Scouts to continue to enjoy scouting in Otford. If you are interested in helping the Group, or Supporters, in any way please contact Andrew Hicks on 01959 525120.
13 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Otford School PTA are holding a Christmas Fair between 1.00 and 3.30p.m. on Saturday 6th December at the School with admission costing just 60p per adult with children, under 16 years, admitted free of charge. There will be loads of stalls to buy from and a raffle to raise funds for the school. If you would like more information please ring Linda 01959 523131.
7 NOV	SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE "GUN USED IN RAID ON PO Two men entered the Otford store on the corner of Bubblestone Road at 2.45pm on Thursday. One stood by the door while the other, who was carrying a handgun, went to the counter and demanded money from a member of staff." [ more ]
6 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 The Parish Council have been advised by Sevenoaks DC Highway Unit: "NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR ROADWORKS - CHILDSBRDIGE LANE, SEAL Please be advised that on Monday 10th November 2003 Childsbridge Lane will be closed from its junction with Robinswood Drive to the bridge over the M26 for 4 days. The closure is necessary to carry out repair works to the brdige deck surfacing over the rail line, the works will commence at 08.00 on the 10th and the closure shall remain in effect until completion of the works. A signed diversion route will be in place via the A25 Seal High Street, right at Bat and Ball into A225 Otford Road, right into Pilgrims Way East, ending at its junction with Childsbridge Lane and vice versa."
6 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Rehearsals for the Village Community Players presentation of ‘Joe Carpenter & Son’ are in mid-stream and proceeding with great enthusiasm. Performance dates are Friday 28th and Saturday 29th November at 8.00p.m. St. Bartholomew’s Church, Otford, and the box office is now open on 01959 525468. Admission is by programme costing £5.00, or £2.50 for restricted view, and children 5 years and under admitted free. Profits will be shared between St. Bartholomew’s and Hospice in the Weald. The play is a wonderful mixture of tradition, humour, and music and you are invited to go along and enjoy yourselves.
6 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 St. Bartholomew's Church will be holding a Christmas Market between 10.00a.m. and 12.00 noon at the Church Hall on Saturday 8th November. There is no admission charge and stalls will include cakes, jams and preserves, puddings, Christmas decorations and presents, craft, jewellery, plants, flowers, children’s stalls and side-shows. Tea and coffee will be available and proceeds will go to the mission work of the church. Please do go along and get those early Christmas presents.
6 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Congratulations once again to Terry and Joan Smith who took the cup for the Best Allotment for the second year running with Ken Fassenfelt, a good runner-up, taking the shield. Robin Cutler was adjudged to have the best small allotment, of 5 rods and under, and was presented with the winners’ shield and Eric and Barbara Huggins were good runners up in their first year of allotment gardening. Ted Hewitt, now living in Scotland, the Allotment Site Agent for over 30 years, was awarded a life membership for his services to allotment gardening and the Association in particular. Gordon Darby, retiring Treasurer after 25 years, now takes on the role of President in Ted’s place. All the committee were re-elected with the induction of Roger Clay as Secretary and Barry Davies as Treasurer.
6 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Hugh Darrington will be giving a talk entitled ‘Eating and Drinking to Live Longer’ to The Otford and District Wine Club at 8.00p.m. on Wednesday 26th November. As Hugh edits a magazine totally dedicated to the absorbing subject of food and drink, and has travelled extensively sampling food in many countries including China and Japan, an entertaining and informative talk is expected. As usual the meeting will be in the Memorial Hall, entry is free to members, but visitors will be charged a small fee. Cheese and biscuits will be provided but members, and visitors, should bring their own liquid refreshment.
6 NOV	VILLAGE REPORT - KAY DRAKE 522727 Would the owner of the watch found on the afternoon of Saturday 25th October on the Recreation Ground please contact Kay Drake so that you can be reunited.
	VILLAGE NEWS ARCHIVE 2003 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2002