Former hostage Terry Waite to appear in Otford – and don’t forget to put the date for the village fete in your diary
Otford Brownies and Guides will be serving refreshments at Otford Village Fete from 11am-4pm on Bank Holiday Monday (28-May).
OTFORD VILLAGE FETE on Bank Holiday Monday 28 May has a theme commemorating the end of World War One when our troops finally came home after four years of conflict. The Fete starts at 11am and during the day Otford Guides, Brownies and Rainbows will be offering afternoon tea and cakes in the Memorial Hall and, weather permitting, on the terrace.
Money raised is distributed to local causes including, in the past the Heritage Centre, Guides and First Responders. Otford Gardeners’ Society will also be manning a stall at the Otford Village Fete selling ornamental and edible plants all raised by their own members. Please support this event by going along or purchase raffle tickets. www.otfordvillagefete.org.uk
TERRY WAITE will be appearing at St Bartholomew’s Church on Saturday (19 May) and there is still time to purchase tickets to hear him in conversation with former BBC broadcaster, Nick Page. Terry, was the international envoy for the Archbishop of Canterbury during the 1980s, successfully negotiated the release of British hostages, first from Iran and then from Libya, before he was himself taken captive and held in Beirut for nearly five years – most of that time in solitary confinement. The evening will also mark the completion of St Barts’ reordering and redecoration project. The conversation with Terry Waite starts at 6.30pm and concludes with a reception with canapés. Terry’s books will be on sale and signed. Tickets for this evening cost £20 and are available from the church office (mornings), by emailing st.bartholomews@otford.net and from Joan Beacom 01959 524304.
OTFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB meets at 8pm every Thursday throughout the year in the Otford church hall, High Street, opposite ‘The Bull’. Sean Goddard and John Portlock will be calling to recorded music on Thursday 25 May starting at 7.30pm. The cost is £1.50. which includes tea or coffee. All kinds of mixed folk dances are on offer and all are welcome. Whether you have little or no knowledge, the caller will give help and your fellow dancers will also assist you. The emphasis is on friendly enjoyment rather than perfection. If you would like more information ring Mary Butson on 01732 458356.
THE 1940’s SOCIETY next meets at 8pm on Friday 25 May in Otford Memorial Hall to hear Melody Foreman talk about Mary Ellis – Spitfire Girl. Her story is one of the most remarkable of the war as this young woman, serving with the Air Transport Auxiliary flew more than 400 Spitfires and piloted 76 different types of aircraft including fast fighters to huge four engine bombers. She landed at over 200 airfields and flew solo for 1,100 hours. Everyone is welcome to go along, admission is £3 and refreshments will be served during the interval. More details are available from 07927 748773.
OTFORD OAST WI meets at 9.30am on Thursday (17 May) in the Memorial Hall for their AGM with Resolutions and Sales Tables. For details contact their Secretary Sharna Peyto 07860 463656.
SEVENOAKS EMBROIDERS GUILD meets at 10am on Saturday 26 May in the Memorial Hall for an all-day workshop on ‘Patchwork/quilting bags’ with Alison Smart. The afternoon session starts at 2pm and ends with tea and cakes at about 4pm. Further information is available from Sylvia Grafton 01732 452117.
