Otford traffic proposals go on display at public meeting in village hall

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT: A Public Meeting is being held today (Saturday, November 3) in the Otford Village Memorial Hall.  Information on the traffic proposals will be on display from 1pm and a presentation covering the proposals will begin at 2pm, followed by a question and answer session. The presentation will include a speaker, Adrian Berendt, from the ‘20’s Plenty’ campaign for Kent. For details on the traffic proposals please visit the Parish Council website at: www.otfordpc.kentparishes.gov.uk and go to ‘Documents’ and then select ‘Traffic Management Report’. You will have an opportunity to let the Parish Council know whether you support the proposals being recommended via a Traffic Management Questionnaire. The questionnaire and other details are included in the November edition of the Parish newsletter.

REFLECTIONS: To mark the end of the ‘Otford Ring of Remembrance’ (the 39 names, citations and poppies around the pond) residents are invited to an hour of reflection to remember the men of Otford who gave their lives in The Great War. It will be held between 6.30pm and 7.30pm at St. Bartholomew’s Parish Church on Saturday,10 November, the evening before Armistice Day (and not on Friday as reported in other local media). There will be readings of prose and poetry from the period and recollections, both poignant and uplifting, on the lives of the Otford Fallen and the village they would have known and loved. At the end a bugler will sound ‘The Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’. Admission is free but there will be an opportunity to donate to the following charities: The British Legion, SSAFA and ABF (The Soldiers’ Charity).

For a period of 13 days, the Australian flag will be flying from the Otford flagpole above the citations to the village Fallen. Of the 168 days that the Ring of Remembrance will be in place, the flag represents the sacrifice of the three Otford men who, having emigrated ‘down under’, returned with the Australian Imperial Force to fight for their mother country in the Great War.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY SERVICE: Otford is holding its service at 10am on 11 November at St Bartholomew’s Church when all are welcome. The service will conclude with an act of remembrance at the village war memorial at 10.50am. Coffee will be served afterwards in the Church Centre. If you are passing through the village at this time please be aware that traffic will be delayed so avoid the pond or be patient and remember why you are being held up.

OTFORD OAST WI: There will be a talk at 9.30am on Thursday, 15 November in the Memorial Hall by Sarah Rogers on Nursing Through the Years: Care and Compassion at the Royal London Hospital.New members welcome, first meeting is free. For further information email: otfordoastwi@mail.com

FLU VACCINATIONS: These will be available until 17 November at Otford and Kemsing Doctors Surgeries and appointments are now available. Sessions are from 9am to noon on the following dates. Otford Surgery: Saturday, 10 November; Kemsing Surgery: Saturday 17 November.  Call Otford Surgery on 01959 523929 to book your appointment.

THANKS STAN: A picnic bench to thank Stan Miles for serving Otford as a barber for almost 60 year is due to be unveiled at noon on Sunday, 25 November at Otford Recreation Ground. All his old customers, contributors and friends are invited to the ceremony. Please come along on the day to once again thank Stan for his contribution to village life. The bench is situated just behind the children’s play area, adjacent to the allotments.

MEET THE MAKER DAY: Discover and celebrate the unique talents Otford village is lucky enough to have within its village shops on Saturday 1 December. Otford residents know how lucky they are to have such a diverse range of independent shops and this is an opportunity to get a sneak peek behind the scenes. Those involved are Otford Interiors, Denise Thompson – 11am Wreath making, 2pm Christmas arrangement – Sally’s Cake Emporium, Howlers, artist Wendy Peck at The Studio, Hall & Co, Bill Skinner, and Mille Fleurs who are offering pre-booked 45-minute millinery tasters throughout the day. To book, email millefleurshats@gmail.com or call into the shop.  Follow the event on Facebook page @Obviously Otford and visit the village on 1 December. There will be signs in the windows of participating shops. Ann Bridges will be the event’s Artist in Residence, recording the day’s activities in a series of sketchbook drawings.

OTFORD LIBRARY: Lorraine, the Otford Librarian, would like to encourage all adult villagers to enroll at the Library, if  you have not already done so, and start taking books out to read as her readership numbers need to increase. This is clearly a case of ‘use it or lose it’ and this wonderful facility is at the heart of our community so please rally round and support it.

HOSPICE OF HOPE: A few hours once a week, fortnight or month is what Hospice of Hope in the High Street needs from you as they are recruiting for their friendly team in both the charity and tea shop. This is an opportunity to donate some time to a charity in a caring environment. If you can help in any way please call Julie 01959 524322 for a chat about the various opportunities available.

RAMBLING: Tonbridge and Malling Ramblers Group meet in the High Street Recreation Ground car park at 10am on Sunday, 18 November for a 5.5 miles/8.8 km leisurely walk from Otford to Shoreham and back aiming to finish at approximately 1pm. There is one steep climb at the start and a few stiles but views over Otford are well worth it.  Dogs on leads. Nibble break. Pub at end. If you are interested contact Graham 07716 170900 or 01732 446101.