Your club not listed below? Email editor@otfordsociety.org.uk with contact details and information about when and where you meet and how to join. We can also list forthcoming events on our online calendar, so do let us know when you’ve got something coming up.
Under our umbrella
The following directory aims to include all the clubs, societies and businesses in our village into a single reference source for residents. While Otford Road Friends, Friends of Otford Station, Otford Village Fete and Otford Craft Guild are all supported by the Otford Society, all other organisations listed are completely independent.
Friends of Otford Station
This group is managed by The Otford Society working in close collaboration with the Darent Valley Community Rail Partnership. Some 20 or more volunteers planted up new window boxes over the summer of 2022, thanks to generous donations by Coolings Garden Centre. Since then, a dedicated team has worked very hard to keep Otford Station looking at its very best all year round.
Much more is planned, so keep an eye on our newsfeed for updates, and if you’d like to get involved we’d love to have you come and join us. You can email us at station@otfordsociety.org.uk to become a volunteer!
The History of Otford Station
If you would like to know about the history of Otford Station, click on the button below to find out more.
Send us your photos!
Are you a budding photographer? Or do you know someone who is? We have a new gallery in the ladies waiting room at Otford Station. We would love to include more photos taken by local amateur photographers based on the following themes:
The Darent Valley from its source above Westerham down to the River Thames.
Otford – its village and people.
The railway from Sevenoaks to Swanley.
You can send them to photographs@otfordsociety.org.
Otford Road Friends
Established in early 2020 to support our community during the Covid pandemic, The Road Friends continue to be active in every road throughout Otford. They are able to assist anyone who may need a little extra help, such as collecting prescriptions or doing a little shopping.
If you’re unsure of who your local Road Friend is, get in touch.
We’re here to help you.
The Otford Village Fete has been enjoyed by locals for over 75 years. There is something for everyone, from picking up new seedlings from the Allotment Society, to winning a prize on the wheel of fortune, or just sitting on a hay bale watching the dog show.
In 2022 it was decided that from now on the Fete will come under the charity umbrella of the Otford Society.
Otford Craft Guild
This scheme, championing local craft businesses, is supported by The Otford Society and the Friends of Otford Station. If you live in the village and would like to join please email craftguild@otfordsociety.org.uk. On the second Thursday of each month two local crafters display and sell their work at a popup stall in Otford Station between 3:30 and 5:30 pm. Craft Guild members will also have stalls at the Christmas Fayre in Otford High Street on November 19th.
Clubs and Societies
Sport and recreation
Otford Lawn Tennis Club
We play tennis throughout the winter months under floodlights in the evenings and have a comprehensive coaching programme for adults and children of all abilities. Find out more
Shoreham and Otford Cricket Club
In its first full season after the merger between Shoreham and Otford cricket clubs which took place in 2020, the club has had an exceptionally vibrant and successful season.
The club is always looking for new members, both senior and junior (aged 6-15).
Otford Petanque Club
We are looking to bring in new members who would enjoy sociable Thursday afternoons from 2:30 pm playing Petanque (boules) on the Otford Recreation Ground (next to the football pavilion).
For a trial session and to find out more call Sue on 01732 760115 to find out more.
Otford Indoor Short Mat Bowling
Otford Allotments Association
to enquire about joining the waiting list, as all plots are currently let. Or ring the Parish Council Office, 01959 524808.
Our website is packed with information: https://www.otfordallotments.co.uk/
Otford Trail Runners
or phone Dominic Tomlinson on 07990 745282 to find out more.
We are a friendly and supportive mixed group for all abilities and ages and enjoy weekly runs on the beautiful trails around Sevenoaks. Come and join us on the last Sunday of every month and take part in our circular trail races from Otford to Lullingstone.
Local interest
Darent River Preservation Society (DRIPS)
The 1940s Society
Otford & District Historical Society
Talks are held monthly in the Memorial Hall. Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start. £5 per meeting for non members. Membership £20 per annum.
Otford History and Heritage Newsletter
The ‘Otford History and Heritage Newsletter’ is an occasional newsletter/magazine available by email only and free-of-charge!
Articles about different aspects of Otford’s history have been a regular feature of the Newsletter as are reports of 1940s Society meetings. The newsletter editor has also co-ordinated several local history exhibitions for Otford village library. Do pop into the library to see what is planned!
To find out more and obtain some past copies of the newsletter/magazine please send an email to otfordhistory@btinternet.com
Discover Roman Otford Archaeology group
Zoom into History Group
Popular free-to view history talks. Details of upcoming talks are on our calendar.
Otford Oast WI
Meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 9.30 am in Otford Village Hall.
Anyone interested in joining or attending as a visitor should email otfordoastwi@mail.com.
Otford & District Wine Club
Call Jennifer Morton-Robertson on 01732 761359
Otford Library 'Talk Time'
The group meets every Monday morning in the library between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm. They would love to welcome new members to this very friendly group which provides a chance to relax and meet new people.
Please contact the library for more details, or just come along and be assured of a warm welcome.
Tel: 03000 413131
Email: otfordlibrary@kent.gov.uk
Arts and crafts
Embroidery Club Otford
We are a friendly group interested in all aspects of textile art and embroidery. We meet in Otford Village Memorial Hall on the last Saturday of the month (except August and December) from 10am to 4pm. Members continue with their own work and share ideas with others. Some months we have speakers or workshops. See our website for more information
or call 07983 581669
Otford Art Group
Methodist Church Hall, every Tuesday 9.30 to 12.30. Tea, coffee and biscuits are available.
We are a friendly group of amateur artists who enjoy getting together. We welcome beginners and more established artists. We meet each week, without a break, except at Christmas and New Year. We paint what we like in any medium and occasionally have demonstrations from a visiting tutor.
Regular group updates are sent to members via email. The subscription, which works out at just over £1 a week, is usually paid quarterly. Phone Zoe on 07956 334 729 to find out more.
U Can Craft Club
Phone Jackie Allen on 07901 010768 if you’re interested in this new group, where local crafters will share ideas and experience.
Children and Young People
Girlguiding Otford
In Otford, we have the following Girlguiding units catering for girls from age 7 up to 18.
- 2nd Otford Brownies (for girls aged 7-10) meet Tuesdays
- 3rd Otford Guides (for girls aged 10-14) meet Fridays
- Otford Rangers (for young women aged 14-18) meet Fridays
Register your daughter for Brownies, Guides or Rangers
Otford Scout Group
The 15th Sevenoaks (Otford) Scout Group provides an active progressive programme for young people from the age of 6yrs old and upwards.
We currently operate the following Sections:
- Beaver Scout Colony – meet on Mondays
- Cub Scout Pack (Seeonee) – meet on Mondays
- Cub Scout Pack (Waingunga) – meet on Thursdays
- Scout Troop – meet on Fridays
Visit our website: www.otfordscouts.org.uk
First Steps
Otford Methodist and St Bartholomew’s First Steps Group offers a warm friendly welcome to Mums, Dads or carers with babies and pre-school children. Activities and stories for children are Bible-based. It is held at Otford Methodist Church Hall from 9:00 am to 11:30 am on alternate Wednesday mornings during term time.
The 1940s Society
The 1940s Society holds talks every other month at the Otford Village Memorial Hall (OVMH). Look out for our distinctive red and black posters on the noticeboards around the village to find out what’s on next!
We are an informal and friendly group, and our meetings include refreshments – with plenty of cakes. Everyone is welcome. Our guest speakers cover a wide range of different aspects of the 1940s, from Burma to the Blitz, and Colditz to the Canadian Navy.
Meetings start at 7.30 p.m. Entry is £5, and there’s no need to book – just turn up from 7pm onwards. Details of upcoming meetings are also in the Otford Society online calendar. Please note that due to fire regulations, admission is limited to 120 people per talk, so please arrive in good time.
The Society also produces a regular magazine which includes articles about the period, up to date information and news & views for those interested in 1940s issues. The magazine is distributed electronically by email and is free to anyone who subscribes. Email us at Otford@1940.co.uk to find out more. Reports of recent 1940s Society meetings held in Otford are also available in the feeds below.
Shoreham and Otford
Cricket Club
In its first full season after the merger between Shoreham and Otford cricket clubs which took place in 2020, the club has had an exceptionally vibrant and successful season. This is a huge achievement at a time when many village cricket clubs have seen their playing numbers dwindle and the number of recreational cricketers has fallen by 30% in the last ten years, according to the ECB. We are particularly pleased that the junior section has thrived this year, growing from 30 kids in 2020 and 67 in 2021; nearly all of the children come from the two parishes. Further growth is planned for the coming season.
Our senior teams performed well, finishing mid-table in divisions 3,5 and 7 and the Sunday team won most of their games. Special thanks are owed to so many club members for making this one of our most successful seasons in recent years: Johnny Pyman, Grant Scandling, Ray Trick, Alex Hofmann, Billy Daus and of course our Chairman, Bob Stacey, supported by his wife Sue, who convinced the Committee to build a bar in the pavilion at Shoreham and then worked tirelessly, every week to make it a huge success. Last but not least, we would like to thank our loyal sponsors, The Mount Vineyard and The Darenth, as well as welcoming new sponsors Sevenoaks Prep School and The New Beacon School.
The club is always looking for new members, both senior and junior (aged 6-15).
Email seniors: soccavailabilities@gmail.com
Email juniors: alex.hofmann@fisglobal.com
Social