Otford sets up network of ‘Road Friends’ to help neighbours during isolation period
ROAD FRIENDS: Otford’s response to Coronavirus is a network of ‘Road Friends’ has been set up. The initiative is being supported by the Parish Council and long-time resident, Rod Shelton, is co-ordinating the process.
Every road in Otford will have at least two Road Friends available to help their neighbours. Every house in the parish will be notified of their local contact telephone number. In the event of self-isolation, the Road Friend is prepared to carry out necessary shopping and collect prescriptions.
If a neighbour falls ill, they should notify their Road Friend so that an extra watch can then be kept on their home. Being isolated need not mean being alone.
The network is already building and all four village churches asked for more volunteers to help. If you live in Otford and would like to join your own road’s Road Friends just call Rod Shelton on 01959 523371 or email at: rodshelton@greenbee.net
FAIR FEAST 2020: The organisers would like to extend their warmest thanks to everyone who supported or played any part in Fair Feast 2020 at Otford Methodist Church. The financial outcome is that All We Can, the Methodist relief and development fund, will receive £1,576 towards its work with farmers in Ethiopia. There, climate change has resulted in reduced rainfall and All We Can are helping the farmers to respond in ways most helpful to them and their families. Shrove Tuesday 2021 is on 16 February.
VE DAY 75: Many local events have already been cancelled and others could still be affected in the future. But for now, organisers hope the VE Day 75th anniversary celebrations will still go ahead on Bank Holiday Friday, 8 May. Watch out for further details of this event which is part of nationwide celebrations to mark the ending of the Second World War in Europe.
A Celebration Picnic will be held at 1.30pm on Otford High Street Recreation Ground, you can go along dressed in wartime costumes or wearing patriotic red, white and blue. Take your own food and drink and 1940’s themed Live Entertainment will be provided. Tasters of wartime delights such as banana-parsnips, Woolton pie, potato pastry, lettuce sandwiches and other gastronomic delights from the war years will be available. If the weather is bad then the picnic will be held inside the hall.
At 3pm there will be a moment for reflection as a bugler sounds the Last Post and Reveille. This is being repeated at the same time throughout the country and culminates with adults and children raising a glass of refreshment to repeat the Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of World War Two.
OTFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB: All meetings are cancelled until September at the earliest. . Further information will be provided as soon as it is available.
FITNESS WORKSHOP: On a BBC news Coronavirus special screened last Wednesday evening, Chris Whittey, the Chief Medical Officer, said it was a good thing for people to keep exercising, outdoors as long as close social contact is avoided.
The Fitness Workshop is providing exercise advice at Otford Recreation Ground Tennis Court on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9.15 – 10.10am. They say this will enable people to exercise in the outdoors, without close contact. Circuit, HIIT and bodyweight exercises. Take along a mat, towel and bottle of water. Because of the COVID 19 situation please do NOT attend if you show any symptoms. £6 Pay As You Go by bank transfer. Call 07976 277258 for more information.
The Otford village news is compiled by Kay Drake. If you have any news or events you would like her to consider for the My Sevenoaks Community village column you can email her at: drake_kay@hotmail.com
