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!

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.

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. 

Come and visit us on our stand at the fete on the August Bank Holiday Monday (30th). We’ll be showcasing the many successful initiatives that have marked the first year of the relaunched Otford Society and telling you about some of our exciting plans for the future. Lots of you will have enjoyed some brilliant Otford Adventures over the summer, and their stand will be packed with fun craft activities for children. Meet the team (responsible for the Map of Adventures, the Oxenhill drumkit and the Little Rabbit story on the move). Tell them what's inspired you to get out and about this year, and find out what's next... We’ll be selling tickets in our exciting summer raffle, participating in the ever-popular Wheel of Fortune, and signing up members for the next year. And most of all, we’ll be there to hear your ideas and suggestions as to how we can further improve village life for residents of all ages.

We are delighted to report that Otford Library will be reopening at 9 am on Monday August 2nd after over sixteen months of closure. Although not all activities will be resuming immediately, we can all be sure of the usual warm welcome from Lorraine. The wonderful service she provides to the village has been sorely missed, and some of us will have quite a pile of books at home to return!

Otford Allotments Open Morning on Saturday July 17th is for all villagers to enjoy, but this year there’s a special welcome for children aged 3 – 7 years.   Come along between 10 and 12 am and vote for your favourite scarecrow, complete an activity sheet and (if Covid restrictions allow) try something tasty at the tasting table. This event is free and there’s no need to book. All welcome!

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 Down to Earth https://downtoearthtrees.co.uk , who kindly donated the wooden drum kit which can be found in Oxenhill Shaw & Meadow. This has been a real hit with locals young and old, and we’d encourage anyone that likes to perform or sing to give it a try.   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. 

NOTE THAT THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL THE WEATHER IS BETTER. KEEP AN EYE ON OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS OF A NEW DATE. The Otford Society invite you and your family to join us for a picnic behind Otford Palace on Sunday 1st August 2021 at 2.30pm. Bring your rug and your chairs, some sandwiches and a thermos, and hope we have a beautiful sunny day like this one. Every resident of the village is welcome for an afternoon of family relaxation and fun, including a ‘Guess the Name of the Tiger’ competition, a word search challenge, and the chance to win a family prize for the best princess or knight costume for those who feel like dressing up. 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. Keep an eye out for more details nearer the time, and plan to make it a date for a picnic at the Palace on the 1st of August.

Eleven families joined storyteller Janet, seen here with Otford Society Chairman Rod, for our first story walk in Oxenhill Shaw & Meadow this morning. The weather was extremely kind, the train came past at (almost) the right moment in the tale, and fourteen children were held spellbound as they heard about The Little Rabbit Who Was Afraid of Everything. The story can now be downloaded for free here - get the map too, and see if you can follow Little Rabbit's adventures. If you take photos and post them on social media, don't forget to use the hashtag #otfordadventures to share with other families. And if you enjoyed Little Rabbit, do visit Silly Moo Stories to hear some wonderful audio stories for young children.

Our #otfordadventures story walk in Oxenhill Shaw & Meadow on Saturday June 26 has proved immensely popular, and both sessions have now been fully booked - sorry! Keep an eye out for more dates later in the summer… We look forward to meeting twelve families on Saturday morning, and telling them the story of The Little Rabbit Who Was Afraid of Everything.