Still time to have your say on Otford Village traffic management plan – but the deadline for comments is approaching

OTFORD PARISH COUNCIL: The December/January Newsletter has an in-depth article on the Otford Traffic Management Plan which will be of interest to residents, especially those who have attended Parish Council meetings to ‘have their say’. You will be given the opportunity to view the details on the traffic measures and comment before the final plans are drawn up and finalised, but in the meantime the plans are now available on the Parish Council website at: www.otfordpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

On the website, select ‘Traffic Management’.

Paper copies are available in the Parish Council Office. The traffic plans are also on display in the Otford Heritage Centre between 2- 19 December, then 2-10 January. The centre is open from 8am to 12.30pm and on Saturdays 14 & 21 December from 2pm to 4pm. If you wish to comment on the drawings email: clerk@otfordpc.co.uk

The deadline for comments is Friday 10 January 2020.

OTFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB meets on Thursday 19 December 19 at Walthamstow Hall Junior School with Club Callers. The cost is £3. 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 contact Mary Butson on 01732 458356.

OTFORD’S CHRISTMAS POST: Stamps for the Girlguiding Otford’s Christmas Post Service are now on sale for the 37^th year running and will be available until Friday 20 December. The special charity post service, which is one of the longest running in the country, delivers Christmas cards with the scheme’s special stamps to addresses in Otford village.

Stamps cost 30p and are available to purchase in Otford library during normal opening hours or in the Parish Council office every weekday morning. Christmas cards can be posted in the special post boxes located in the same places. Otford’s Brownies and Guides will collect, sort, frank and then deliver the cards over the two weekends before Christmas. This year the money raised from the sale of the stamps will be donated to SERV Kent Bloodrunners, a charity that provides emergency courier services transporting blood products, samples and other essential items for major hospitals and hospices in Kent out of normal working hours.

Please support this service by purchasing the special stamps and posting your cards early. Library opening hours are Monday 9am – 1pm, Tuesday 9am – 1pm, 2pm- 5pm, Wednesday Closed, Thursday 9am – 1pm, Friday 1pm – 5pm, Saturday 10am – 2pm. Parish Council opening hours Monday to Friday 8am – 12:30pm.

OTFORD METHODIST CHURCH: The special Christmas events are underway and continue this weekend when the Croydon SDA Gospel Choir gives a performance at 7.30pm on Saturday 14 December. This is followed by a Carol Service at 6.30pm on Sunday 22 December; Christingle at 5pm on Tuesday 25 December; and the Christmas Morning Service at 10am. The church looks forward to welcoming visitors to all these events and exploring the real reason for celebrating the Christmas story in 2019.

ST BARTHLOLEMEW’S CHURCH is holding its Christingle Service this year at 4pm on Sunday 8 December and at 7pm on Friday 13 December there will be the Tree of Light Service followed by the switching on of the lights on the tree on The Green. All are welcome and labels to remember those who have died may be obtained from the Parish Office in the High Street or from the Hospice in the Weald. Donations will support the work of the Hospice. The Church Choir Christmas Concert is at 7pm on Sunday 15 December in the church, £7 on the door, entry for children is free and at 2.30pm on Saturday 14 December you are invited to join them in the Church Centre to sing your favourite carols and enjoy some refreshments.

OTFORD EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH: There will be a Family Carol Service from 5pm to 6pm on Sunday 22 December followed by light refreshments and on Christmas Day you are invited to the church’s celebrations which begin at 10am. The church is located at 81 Pilgrims Way West. For more information: Tel: 07510 909035, email: otfordefc@gmail.com, or log onto: www.otfordefc.org.uk

NEW LOOK HALL: The Opening Event to show off the new refurbished main hall of Otford Village Memorial Hall is on18 January, 2020. The Hall will be open from noon until 4pm and you are invited to meet the Trustees, see the extent of the refurbishment and have a glass of Bucks Fizz or Orange Juice with some nibbles. This is a drop-in event and is free to Otford Residents.

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