Brownies’ chain of kindness at Otford Library continues to grow
COMMUNITY KINDNESS CHAIN: The 2nd Otford Brownies’ would like to thank everyone who has been into Otford library and added to the Community Kindness Chain. Doing good turns is an important part of keeping the Brownie promise and can help to make the local community an even better place to live. If you’ve done a good turn in our local community, please pop in and see Lorraine in the library and write or draw what you did on a strip of paper. Join your good turn to the end of our chain and let’s see how much kindness there is in Otford.
PARISH COUNCIL: The annual general meeting of Otford Parish Council is being held at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall on Monday, 13 May and all residents are invited to go along to update themselves on all aspect of the village and its future.
CIRCULAR WALK: Tonbridge & Malling Ramblers meet at 10am on Wednesday 1 May for a 5 miles/8.1 km moderate, circular walk, from Shoreham to Romney Street finishing at approximately 1.15pm. Park in Shoreham PCP Filston Lane. (TN14 7SR, TQ518615). The walk will leave the Darent and cross the eastern wall of the Downs to enter a hidden valley. There are several steep sections to negotiate. Dogs on short leads are permissible, there will be a nibble break and a pub at the end.
KENT DAHLIA SOCIETY is holding a Plant Sale between 9.30am and 11am on Saturday 4 May in Otford Memorial Hall. Admission is free, refreshments will be available and they will be selling dahlias, vegetables, annuals, perennials. Everyone welcome.
OTFORD GARDENERS’ SOCIETY meets at 8pm on Tuesday, 7 May to hear from Derek Dexter who is a very keen fuchsia grower and brings his expertise to Otford Memorial Hall in a talk and demonstration entitled ‘Fuchsias My Way’. Derek is also bringing plants for sale. For details please contact the Society Secretary, Janet Finney on 01959 523760, e-mail: gardeners@otford.net
OTFORD PETANQUE CLUB, which plays beside the Pavilion on the Recreation Ground, is looking for new members. It offers a friendly club environment at 2.30pm every Thursday afternoon on the Otford Recreation Ground. You are invited to go along and try it out. For more info contact 01959 52424.
OTFORD VILLAGE FETE: The 50th anniversary of Commander Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon will be the theme of this year’s fete on Bank Holiday Monday, 27 May, at the High Street Recreation Ground. There will also be the annual Dog Show run by Elands Veterinary Clinic with a class dedicated to Guide Dog Puppies. The aim is to raise at least £2,500 so that the village can name a puppy with an Otford related name. More info on the new website at: www.otfordvillagefete.org or look at their Facebook page.
Whatever the weather Otford Gardeners’ Society will have a stall at the Village Fete and on sale will be ornamental and edible plants raised by their own members.
OTFORD LIBRARY: Following his last sell-out talk at Otford Library, Giles Milton will be returning to the library at 7pm on 12 June to talk about his latest book D-Day, the Soldiers’ Story. Copies of the book will be available to buy at the event. Tickets cost £6 and must be booked in advance either by emailing otfordlibrary@kent.gov.uk or telephoning 03000 41 31 31. Or pop into the library to reserve your place and take a look at the history of Otford School exhibition. Don’t delay tickets are selling fast.
OTFORD AND SEAL TREFOIL GUILD is interested in enrolling new members. The guild meets once a month at 7.30pm on the third Thursday at Kemsing Library. Trips are also arranged to visit pubs, teashops, stately homes, theatres and cinemas.
OTFORD HERITAGE CENTRE is open between 2.30pm and 4.30pm on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday afternoons until mid-December offering visitors to our village the opportunity to see Otford’s continuous habitation over 4,000 years with changing displays of recent history, village life, natural history and models of Otford Palace, and the interior of an Oast House as well as many others. It is free to enter, although donations are gratefully received. If you are interested in becoming a steward, then extra help is always welcome.
HOSPICES OF HOPE’S Teashop in Otford High Street is now open seven days a week so you have the opportunity of calling in for a coffee, light lunch, or afternoon tea. The Teashop specialises in homemade cakes and what are reputed to be the best scones customers have ever tasted. In the front shop there is an opportunity to buy clothes, toys, bric-a-brac, books, jewellery, china, glass and furniture so you can browse, and then you can enjoy refreshments whilst all the time supporting the charity which is largely staffed by volunteers. If you would like to volunteer to work in the Teashop please speak to Julie or Cornel 01959 524322 or to help with administrative tasks in their offices call 01959 525110 or email office@hospicesofhopx.co.uk
RECYCLE your ink cartridges and toners by dropping used ones into Otford Primary School or the Parish Council office, both in the High Street as by doing so you can raise money for the school.
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
