Otford prepares to host twin French commune later this month

TWIN VISIT: If you would like to host Otford’s Hardelot Twins on the weekend of 27/29 September and/or join the coach trip to Hampton Court on Saturday, 28 September please contact Jane Lawrey c/o the Parish Council office, 01959 524808, as soon as possible. The next social gathering is at The Woodman pub by the pond at 7.30pm on Monday, 16 September. You are invited to go along to learn more about the Twinning Association and its links with the French commune, plus there will be some suggestions for the activities for next year.

OTFORD OAST WI next meets on Thursday, 19 September in the Otford Memorial Hall when Jackie Simmonds will be talking about ‘Her Life as a Tiller Girl’. New members are very welcome and your first meeting is free.  For more details email otfordoastwi@mail.com

HISTORY LESSON: Three history groups meet regularly in the Otford Memorial Hall. The Otford and District Historical Society (ODHS), the 1940s Society, and the North-West Kent Family History Society (NWKFHS).  Meetings of all societies are open to the public.

ODHS annual membership from September to May for nine meetings is £10 per adult, or £3 per meeting. The 1940s Society has six meetings per year and admission is £3 per meeting.  Annual membership for the NWKFHS is £10 and visitors are asked for a contribution. Refreshments are available at all meetings. Doors open at 7.30pm and the talks generally start at 8pm.

ODHS meets on Wednesday, 18 September for a talk by Alan Wiliams on ‘Otford Goes to War’ (part 1), 75 years ago – Doodlebugs down the Darent Valley’.

OTFORD LUNCH CLUB: Would you like to join Otford Lunch Club, for older residents, which takes place from 11.45am every Thursday in the village Memorial Hall on the High Street? The Club is a welcoming place for local residents to go along and socialise with friends, old and news. It is run by a dedicated team of volunteers and members enjoy a welcoming cup of coffee or tea followed by a hot nutritious two course meal each week. It may be possible to arrange transport for those who need it. To find out more please contact Margaret Nicholson 01959 524147.

OTFORD PARISH COUNCIL: you are interested in all the activities of parish council, the Minutes of the meetings are available in the Library and the Minutes, Agendas and Newsletters can be obtained via the web www.otfordpckentparishes.gov.uk.

The Parish Council is also looking for a newsletter deliverer for Station Road, Colets Orchard and Beckets Place.  If you feel able to take this on just 10 times a year please contact Sue 01959 524808 or email clerk@otfordpc.co.uk.    

CLEANER WANTED: The Otford Memorial Hall management is looking for someone to work for two hours each day on Saturday and Sunday mornings (alternatively possibly Friday and Saturday evenings) and also provide holiday/sickness cover for their existing cleaner and the Hall Manger. For further details please call the Hall Manager on 07887 780576 or email ovmh.manager@otford.net

COME AND PLAY is held at the Otford Evangelical Church every Friday morning during term time from 9.15 to 11.15 starting on Friday, 6 September. All babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their grown-up are invited to join in for lots of fun play activities, including painting, playdough, trains, puzzles, books, roleplay and construction. Please contact 07510 909035, email: otfordefc@gmail.com or visit www.otfordefc.orn.uk

DIAL 2 DRIVE is seeking volunteer drivers to take elderly/disabled people to a medical appointment or shopping just one a week. If you own a car and would like to help please contact them on 0300 777 1200 or email: driving@imago.community

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