Find out how to control unwanted pests at Otford spring social evening

OTFORD ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATION is holding a Spring Social Evening at 8pm on Tuesday 23 April in the village Memorial Hall.  There will be a talk by Mike Abel on ‘Biological and other non-chemical means of pest control’.  As well as the use of biological organisms (predators and parasites), it covers cultural, physical and non-chemical control of pests. Entry fee £3 includes refreshments.

KENT DAHLIA SOCIETY is holding a plant sale between 9.30am and 11am on Saturday 4 May in the Memorial Hall. Admission is free, refreshments will be available and they will be selling dahlias, vegetables, annuals, perennials.  Everyone welcome.

RSPB SEVENOAKS believes most people will be aware that now bird song is becoming more pervasive Spring is here. And you can learn about birds from experienced leaders on their free field trips.  On Wednesday 1 May Anne McGregor ( 01732 454304) is leading an exploration of Conyer Creek in expectation of nightingales and cuckoos along with other returning Spring migrants. This is followed on Sunday 12 May by John Waterman (07953 206618) taking in what the varied habitat at RSPB Pulborough Brooks has to offer. On Sunday 9 June the destination is Stodmarsh and Grove Ferry with John and Wednesday 12 June you can visit Ashdown Forest with Anne. It is essential to contact the leaders prior to joining a field trip. The groups indoor meetings continue on 2 May 2 when an RSPB turtle dove specialist will be giving details on the steps being taken to halt the decline in this species. Indoor meetings are at Otford Memorial Hall. Admission is £2.50 for local group members and £3.50 for non members. The meetings start at 7:45pm.  Further information on the Sevenoaks RSPB local group can be seen at: ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/sevenoaks/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/RSPBSevenoaks/.

OTFORD VILLAGE FETE’S theme will celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Commander Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon. It takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, 27 May, on the High Street Recreation Ground. The programme should be available in mid-May but in the meantime make a diary note as there will 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 we can name a puppy with an Otford related name. You can also keep up to date via their new website 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.

1ST OTFORD RAINBOWS: One of the leaders will be stepping down at the end of the summer term and to ensure this popular, over-subscribed unit can keep running they are looking for new volunteers.  They need at least one person who will be prepared to complete Girlguiding training to become a uniformed leader.

What’s in it for me? You will make new friends, learn new skills, enhance your CV, ‘give something back’ get involved in your local community and have lots of fun! Girlguiding also gives access to a great range of benefits like free training and resources and a members scheme.

If you think this could be you or you know someone that would love to do this please register interest on the Girlguiding UK website https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved/become-a-volunteer/ and they will be in touch to chat through the options. If you have any questions please email ggkemsingotforddistrict@gmail.com

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