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 the 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 do follow us on our blog, 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!
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
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.
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 Historical Society
Otford History and Heritage Newsletter
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
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 hold regular meetings at the Otford Memorial Hall, with lectures and discussions on different aspects of the 1940s.
Despite the Home Front being of particular interest to subscribers, subjects vary widely and have included lectures on French escape lines and the Russian Front. Regular film evenings are also popular with classic wartime films and propaganda shorts being shown.
Meetings are informal and friendly with refreshments and cakes always proving to be popular. Email Otford@1940.co.uk if you plan to attend a meeting. Details of upcoming meetings are in our online calendar.
The Society also produces a regular magazine which includes up to date information and news & views for those interested in 1940s issues. This magazine is no longer produced in printed form but is distributed electronically by email and is free to anyone who subscribes.
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