Can you help organise the Otford village fete? This year it is going to be out of this world

THE VILLAGE FETE Committee needs you! The theme of this popular Otford annual event this year is ‘Man in Space’ to reflect the 50^th anniversary, on 20 July 1969, when Apollo 11 landed on the Moon. There is a design a logo competition and details and the entry form can be found on the fete’s website at: www.otfordvillagfete.org.uk Closing date is Friday 22 February. Volunteers are also desperately needed to fill the posts of secretary and music director. The fete organisers currently have a small committee of very dedicated individuals but these two roles must be filled if they are to function effectively. For more information about these two roles please email: patty.chatterjee@me.com.

HOSPICES OF HOPE’S Teashop in the 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. Go along and have a browse before treating yourself to some refreshments. You will also be supporting this wonderful charity which is largely staffed by volunteers.

There will also be a chance to raise funds for the charity by attending a screening of Mamma Mia! Here we go Again. Certificate PG, when you can sing along to a host of Abba favourites. The event is being hosted on Saturday 2 March at the EMF Theatre at Tonbridge School. The doors open at 6.15pm, the film starts at 7pm, and the performance is due to end at 10pm. Tickets cost £9, (£7 for Concessions – under 16 & over 65 years) and are selling fast. Book your tickets by calling the box office on 01732 304241.

OTFORD OAST WI next meets at 9.30am on Thursday, 21 February in Otford Memorial Hall when Janet Tandy will talk about Helping Overcome The Fear Of Dogs. New members welcome, your first meeting is free and for further information email: otfordoastwi@mail.com.

THE EVENING WI meets at 7.30pm on Thursday, 14 February in the Club Room of the Memorial Hall for a Quiz Night. Visitors are very welcome to join them or for more information contact their President on 01959 524831.

OTFORD GARDENERS’ SOCIETY meets at 8pm on 5 March when Steve Edney’s subject will be ‘The Restoration of the Salutation Gardens’. Steve is Head Gardener at the marvelous gardens in Sandwich and has been involved in the restoration project from the beginning. He is also an accomplished broadcaster, grower and Chelsea exhibitor. Everybody is welcome. For more details, contact secretary Janet Finney on 01959 523760 or email gardeners@otford.net

FAIR FEAST 2019 is on Shrove Tuesday, 5 March between 7.30 and 9.30pm. The annual event is held at Otford Methodist Church and consists of pancakes and other refreshments and a quiz, with prizes for those on the winning table. Admission is by ticket (£7, students £3.50). All ticket receipts and any donations are given through All We Can, the Methodist relief fund, to support work in an area of great need. This year, All We Can suggests that all receipts be given for the relief of refugees, according to needs at the time the money is received by them. Tickets or tables (eight people) may be reserved now by calling Glen Cable 01732 457842 or email him at glen-chris.cable@sky.com, but payment need not be made until the night. Although everyone will be most welcome, numbers are limited so it is first come first served.  Since this year Shrove Tuesday falls within Free Trade Fortnight, where possible refreshment ingredients and quiz prizes will consist of fairly-traded commodities.

OTFORD PARISH COUNCIL meets at 7.30pm on Monday, 11 February in the Club Room of Otford Memorial Hall. For those interested in all the activities of the parish council, minutes of meetings are available in the library and minutes, agendas and newsletters can be obtained via the new website at: www.otfordpc.kentparishes.gov.uk.

OTFORD YARN CRAFTERS, in conjunction with the Royal Voluntary Service, meets between 10am and 11am on the second Tuesday of each month at the Hospices of Hope Tea Rooms in Otford High Street. If you knit, crochet, spin or weave you are invited to join them to share your projects, skills and knowledge and to find help and support when your project just isn’t going right. You don’t need to book, there are no fees for joining meetings but you are expected to purchase a drink during your visit. On the fourth Tuesday of the month the group meets between 6pm and 8pm in The Woodman by Otford pond.

WALKERS WELCOME: Tonbridge & Malling Ramblers offer two local walks at the beginning of March. On Sunday, 3 March, they will meet at 10am in Otford High Street car park, opposite The Bull, to walk the 5.5 miles from Otford to Shoreham and back. This circular walk starts with a steep climb but the views over Otford are well worth it. Dogs on short leads allowed. There will be a nibble break and a pub at the end. Estimated finish time is 1pm. Contact Graham on 07716 170900 or 01732 446101.

On Wednesday, 6 March, they again meet at 10am for a 5.5 mile, moderate, circular walk around Kemsing. The walk sets off at 10.15am from Kemsing village car park for a walk over the downs, through woods and lanes via Tinkerpot Lane with lovely views. One steep climb at the start and a long climb halfway.  Dogs on short leads allowed. There will be a nibble break and a pub at the end.  Estimated finish time 12.45pm.  Contact: Andy on 07850 562527.

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