“Santa Claus is Coming to Otford…”

Post published:31 October 2022
Post category:Uncategorized

Ho, Ho, Ho! Santa Claus has been busy packing his sleigh and feeding his reindeer in preparation for his special visit to Otford’s Christmas Fayre on Saturday November 19th. His enchanted elves will be ready to welcome you to Santa’s Grotto from 10 am inside the atmospheric ruins of Otford Palace, and Men in Sheds have been busy building him a new sleigh. To make the children’s time with Santa even more special, he has a gift for them to take home. Booking is essential if you’d like your child to visit Santa as part of this wonderful celebration of Christmas in our village. Tickets to secure a slot for your family cost £6 and include one child and accompanying adult(s). You can book yours here, but hurry as places are strictly limited: https://tinyurl.com/4rjr49ut. Note that additional children in the family will be charged for at £5 each, payable on the day.

There will be lots more for families to enjoy on what promises to be a wonderful day out, including a World Cup shoot out on the Recreation Ground, face painting, Christmas biscuit decorating and card making, throwing a ball at the reindeer, and craft activities in the Memorial Hall and the Library. And Silly Billy the goat will be wandering around entertaining visitors! We look forward to welcoming you all.

Do follow us on social media @otfordsociety for lots more about what promises to be an amazing day. The High Street (which will be partially closed) will be filled with stalls selling an array of gifts. There will be crafts, local fine artists, children’s toys & activities, upcycled furniture, books, cards, eco gifts & much more! And our wonderful village food and drink outlets will be serving scrumptious seasonal treats, hot and cold drinks and tasty regular menus.

Give it a try and pop in!

Post published:27 October 2022
Post category:Uncategorized

There are difficult times ahead for all of us in the coming months. Money is getting short, food is getting pricier and it seems our fuel bills are about to go through the roof. Now the weather is starting to close in. Add to that, Covid & flu seem to be waiting on the door-step. We can all try and cut our expenditures but what you must NOT do is to get cold by turning off your heating. It can do you harm and make you more susceptible to catching an illness. So STAY WARM is rule one.

By joining up with our churches, the library and the Hilal Restaurant we can ensure there will always be somewhere warm for us all to go to EVERY DAY for a few hours and have a hot cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit or two. A place to meet others and, if you are on your own, with a partner, or with children, where you will always be welcome.

There will always be someone you can talk to if you have a problem. As your Society, we are there to help you sort things through. If we can’t help, we will know someone who can. Here are the times and places where we’re spreading the warmth:

Monday mornings: Otford Library, 11:30 – 13:00

Tuesday mornings: The Evangelical Church, 9:30 – 13:00

Wednesday mornings: Hilal Restaurant, 9:30 – 12:30

Thursday mornings: Otford Library, 9:30 – 12:30

Friday mornings (except November 4): Methodist Church Hall, 9:30 – 13:00

Friday afternoons: St Barts Church Rooms, 14:00 – 17:00

Public Meeting, November 10th

Post published:19 October 2022
Post category:Uncategorized

This big public meeting is taking place in the Club Room of the Otford Village Memorial Hall. A choice of tea, coffee and biscuits will be available from 7pm. At 7:30 we will give you an update on all the exciting events we have planned for the next six months. And as always we’ll be asking you for your ideas on how to improve on what we are doing to help bring our community together. The bi-annual Superstar Award, chosen from the nominations which you have made, will also be presented.

The highlight of the evening is a presentation from Nigel Britten, ‘Who cares about the Green Belt?’ Nigel is chair of the Sevenoaks Division of CPRE: the Countryside Charity. With Government pressures to reduce its size and effectiveness this is certainly applicable to our village. Nigel lives locally and is an excellent speaker. We would welcome you to join us and hope to see lots of you there.

Otford Christmas Fayre on November 19th

Post published:1 October 2022
Post category:Uncategorized

A magical experience awaits you in Otford High Street this festive season, with stalls selling everything from handmade gifts and arts and crafts goodies to fudge, gin, and cute stocking fillers. When your shopping ventures have worked up an appetite, dig into a bag of hot roasted chestnuts and get well and truly in the Christmas spirit with a cup of mulled wine. In addition, there will be a range of craft activities for young and old taking place in The Memorial Hall, with festive music to add to the atmosphere. And Father Christmas!

Christmas Markets have long been a tradition in German speaking countries, the first dating from 1434 when Dresden held one on Christmas Eve. In the UK the first city to host one was Lincoln, in 1982. Otford is slow to catch up; 2022 will be our first ever but hopefully not our last. Our village pubs, coffee shops and restaurants will be serving an array of Christmas treats so be sure to book a table and enjoy the Otford Christmas Fayre.