Come to the fair – and bring your camera!

The Otford Village Fete on Monday 30th August and St Bartholomew’s Church Fair on Saturday 4th September provide two great photo opportunities. The theme of our Summer Photo Competition is Fetes and Fairs in Otford, so get your cameras out and get snapping. Full details and an entry form are on our website at www.otfordsociety.org.uk/projects#photography, and the competition closes at the end of September. There is a £25 gift voucher to be won, a chance to support one of our wonderful local shops.

Continue ReadingCome to the fair – and bring your camera!

Helpers needed for the Otford Village Fete

This year has been anything but easy, but the Fete Committee has managed to organise an exciting event this Bank Holiday Monday. In addition to the usual Dog Show there will be baby yoga and taster sessions run by Otford Lawn Tennis Club. For details of how to sign up for these and much more go to www.otfordvillagefete.org .

There will be food and drink outlets scattered around the site, and live music both inside the Players Hall and on the Recreation Ground throughout the day.

Finally, a plea for helpers. The Fete Committee works tirelessly for the benefit of residents but there is so much to do and organise on the day. If you can spare a couple of hours on Monday 30 August we would be so grateful. Whether it’s selling raffle tickets or collecting the entry money, all seated, or helping with the various activity and craft stalls, it’s all fun but without help we will struggle. Please contact Patty, Chair of the Otford Village Fete Committee, on 07769 706047 if you can help.

The Otford Village Fete has been going for more than 70 years. This photo was taken in the 1950s, and you can be sure we’ll be just as busy in 2021!

Continue ReadingHelpers needed for the Otford Village Fete

Garden Party tickets now on sale!

Tickets for the annual Otford Society Summer Garden Party on September 19th are now on sale. The party is from 5-7pm, and will be held in the lovely garden at Colet’s Well, right in the heart of the village. A strictly limited number of tickets is available to Otford residents only at a cost of £20 a head, to include canapés, a welcome drink and some great company. To buy your ticket(s), go to https://otfordsociety.org.uk/product/garden-party-sunday-19th-september-2021. As soon as we receive your order and payment we will email confirmation details and an e-ticket, which must be shown on entry. Tickets will also be available for sale on the Otford Society stand at the Otford Village Fete on Monday 30th August.

Continue ReadingGarden Party tickets now on sale!

Otford Labyrinth

As part of Otford Adventures Phil Clucas has designed and cut a giant Labyrinth in what was the Great Tudor Courtyard of Otford Palace – now ‘lost’ beneath meadow-grass. The convoluted circular pathway leading to the mysterious ‘Wishing Stone’ will be unveiled at Sunday’s ‘Picnic at the Palace‘, when children – and ‘older children up to the age of ninety-three’ – will be able to walk the Labyrinth’s sinuous and ever-changing route.

As you journey along the path you will be tracing one of the first designs known to history, as the Labyrinth dates back at least four thousand years. During that time it has been regarded as a ‘sacred pathway’, a ‘fertility route’, a ‘processional pilgrimage’, or simply as an ‘enchanting bit of fun’… make of it what you will…!

Otford’s Labyrinth can be freely visited at any time, and will remain in place for the next couple of months (until the path finally grows-out). Until then, the Otford Society hope it will prove to be a feature that fascinates today’s ‘pilgrims’ as much as it did previous Tudor owners of the Palace.

Continue ReadingOtford Labyrinth

Picnic at the Palace – new date!

After reluctantly postponing our picnic on 1st August  due to rain, we’re delighted to announce that it’s now been rescheduled for Sunday 22nd August at 2.30pm. Bring your rug and your chairs, some sandwiches and a thermos, and be prepared for an afternoon of family relaxation and fun, whatever the weather!

There will be plenty of signs on the day, but just go to the Palace (between St Bartholomew’s church and One Stop) and follow the arrows around the tower to the picnic site.

Continue ReadingPicnic at the Palace – new date!

Could YOU be an Otford Adventures volunteer?

We hope you’ve had a chance to experience some of our Otford Adventures this summer. We have loved seeing the feedback from local residents about the great times they have enjoyed exploring the wonderful beauty spots on our doorstep. We want to take the project forward and think this a good opportunity to get some new people on board. We’re especially keen to hear from those with older children. If you have an idea that aims to get children excited about playing outside and exploring nature, or would just like to help our efforts, please get in touch with otfordadventures@otfordsociety.org.uk to join our working group. We look forward to hearing from you!

Continue ReadingCould YOU be an Otford Adventures volunteer?

Otford Society Garden Party

Over the summer we’ve organised lots of events for the very young, and now it’s the grown-ups’ turn! You’ll be pleased to hear that we are reviving the traditional garden party which many of you have enjoyed in the past. This year it will be held on Sunday September 19th between 5 and 7 pm. We are immensely grateful to Sir Mike and Lady Bett who have kindly offered to host us in their lovely garden at Colet’s Well, a hidden gem right in the heart of the village. A strictly limited number of tickets will be available from mid-August at £20 a head, to include canapes, a welcome cocktail and some great company. To be sure of getting yours, email events@otfordsociety.org.uk and we’ll notify you as soon as they go on sale.

Continue ReadingOtford Society Garden Party

Thank you, Rosa Teixeira!

The Otford Society would like to thank the local people and businesses that have offered their services to Otford Adventures, our community initiative aimed at getting kids excited about being outside, exploring nature as well as offering a close to home adventure for local families. This wouldn’t be possible without their help. 

Today, we’d like to give a special thanks to Rosa Teixeira, who kindly donated her artwork for Butterfly Bridge in Oxenhill Shaw & Meadow. If you haven’t seen it, Rosa’s creations used recycled materials and certainly brighten up a darkened corner. If you would like to see more of Rosa’s work, check out http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/AccessoriesbyRosaUK  

If you have an idea which could help Otford Adventures, please get in touch with otfordadventures@otfordsociety.org.uk. Our fun filled map is available free online and in hard copy from Denise Florists, Hall & Co, The Pond View Cafe, Ibbett Mosley’s and Yvonne’s Shop. We are asking for a donation of £2 to help cover costs. 

Continue ReadingThank you, Rosa Teixeira!