Otford invites people to attend an hour of reflection at the Ring of Remembrance around the village pond

REFLECTIONS: To mark the end of the ‘Otford Ring of Remembrance’ (the 39 names, citations and poppies around the village pond) residents and relatives are invited to an hour of reflection in which we remember the men of Otford who gave their lives in The Great War. It will be held between 6.30pm and 7.30pm at St. Bartholomew’s Parish Church on 10 November, the evening before Armistice Day.  There will be readings of prose and poetry from the period and recollections, both poignant and uplifting, on the lives of the Otford Fallen and the village they would have known and loved. At the end a bugler will sound ‘The Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’.  Admission is free but there will be an opportunity to donate to the following charities: The British Legion, SSAFA and ABF (The Soldiers’ Charity).

HISTORY MEETING: Otford and District Historical Society meets at 7.30pm on Wednesday 22 October in the Memorial Hall when Jackie Howe will give a talk entitled ‘We Will Remember Them – The Otford Fallen of WW1.’ Annual subscription is £10, no charge for under 16’s, and visitors are welcome at £3 each per meeting.

AUTUMN WORKSHOP: Designer florist, Denise Thompson, is holding an Autumn workshop at 7pm on Monday 29 October when visitors can make a beautiful Autumn arrangement. Everything will be provided, except scissors/secateurs, so take along your own. The cost is £40 which includes some light refreshments. Contact Denise on 01959 525009 to book your place or call in to her High Street shop.

 FLU VACCINATIONS: You can get a flu vaccination until 17 November at Otford and Kemsing Doctors Surgeries and appointments are now available for the following groups of patients: Children aged 2 – 3 (Fluenz Nasal Spray) – children in Reception and Years 1 – 5 will be offered vaccination at school – Adults over 65: pregnant mothers: Carers: Those aged sio months to 65 with long-term conditions e.g. Diabetes, BMI over 40, Organ problems, weakened Immune System: Anyone living with a person with a weakened Immune System: Anyone in a residential or nursing home: All frontline health and social care workers.  Sessions are from 9am to noon on the following dates. Otford Surgery Saturday 10 November.  Kemsing Surgery Saturday 20 October and 17 November. Call Otford Surgery 01959 523929 to book your appointment.

TRAFFIC PROPOSALS: A public meeting to discuss Traffic Management Proposals in Otford is being held on Saturday 3 November in the Memorial Hall. Information on the traffic proposals will be on display from 1pm and a presentation covering the proposals will begin at 2pm, followed by a question and answer session. The presentation will include a speaker, Adrian Berendt, from the ‘20’s Plenty’ campaign for Kent. For details on the traffic proposals please visit the Parish Council website at: www.otfordpc.kentparishes.gov.uk and go to ‘Documents’ and then select ‘Traffic Management Report’. Residents will have an opportunity to let the Parish Council know whether you support the proposals being recommended via a Traffic Management Questionnaire. The questionnaire and other details will be included in the November edition of the Parish newsletter.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED: Hospices of Hope, the charity based in Otford High Street, needs you if you can spare a little time to volunteer each week on a regular basis as they are recruiting for their friendly team in both the charity and tea shop. If you can help in any way please call Julie 01959 524322 for a chat about the various opportunities available.

VILLAGE DELIVERY: If you would be willing to deliver newsletters along Pilgrims Way West or Old Otford Road then the Parish Council would like to hear from you on 01959 524808. They would also like to give a big thank you to Brian F and Brian B for delivering them for so long.

LEADER REQUIRED: Otford Heritage Centre in the High Street is run entirely by volunteers and at this time is in desperate need of someone willing to lead the volunteer stewards, in particular by arranging the rota covering Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. If you would like to know more then please contact Cliff Ward on 01959 522384.

BIRD TALK: The recent presentation given by renowned Kent ornithologist John Buckingham, on the “Birds and Wildlife” of Costa Rica to the RSPB Sevenoaks Local Group in Otford was a great success. The next meeting is on 1 November when Mary Braddock will talk on the wildlife and unique views found around the Arctic circle. Meetings are held in the Memorial Hall, doors open at 7.15 and talks start promptly at 7.45pm with a refreshment break. Admission for group members is £2.50 and for non-members £3.50.

On Sunday 28 October 28 John Waterman is leading a walk of St. Margarets at Cliffe & Samphire Hoe. Contact John on 07935 2066618 for details.  There is no charge for outdoor events, but it is important you contact the leaders beforehand.

MEET THE MAKER DAY: Discover and celebrate the unique talents within Otford’s shops on Saturday 1 December. Otford is very fortunate to have a diverse range of independent shops and this is your opportunity to get a sneak peek behind the scenes. Those involved are Otford Interiors, Denise Thompson, Sally’s Cake Emporium, Howlers, The Studio, Hall & Co, Bill Skinner, and Mille Fleurs. Several of the outlets are offering special demonstrations throughout the day, some of which you need to book in advance. To find out more, follow the event on Facebook page @Obviously Otford and make sure you visit the village on 1 December. There will be signs in the windows of participating shops. Ann Bridges will be the event’s Artist in Residence, recording the day’s activities in a series of sketchbook drawings.