RSPB Sevenoaks Group Field Trips. The best way of learning about the variety of birds to be found in Kent is in the company of experienced birders. Forthcoming trips by the Sevenoaks RSPB group are:- Sunday December 15 Cliffe Pools RSPB Reserve, for further details ring John Waterman 07935 206618, Wednesday December 18 Sevenoaks Wildlife reserve, led by Anne McGregor, ring 01732 454304 for further details. New Year’s Day is an afternoon trip to Bough Beech Reservoir again led by John Waterman. The Sevenoaks Local RSPB group wound up its 2019 evening meetings with a captivating presentation by Maidstone ornithologist Simon Ginnaw giving insights into the coastal birds of the UK. Indoor meetings continue at 7.45pm in the Memorial Hall on January 2 with the Biking Birder Gary Prescott giving a talk which mentions a Tapir at the door. A Tapir is a pig like creature from the Jungles of South America where Gary has explored by bike whilst observing birds there. Gary has cycled to every RSPB reserve in the UK as well as throughout Europe and his presentation promises to definitely not be run of the mill. The charge for non local group members is £3.50 and £2.50 for group members. Details of all local group activities can be found at https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/sevenoaks other news can be found on Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/RSPBSevenoaks/ . OTFORD Folk Dance Club meet tonight, Thursday December 19, at Walthamstow Hall Junior School with Club Callers and the cost is £3. All kinds of mixed folk dances are on offer and all are welcome. Whether you have little or no knowledge, the caller will give help and your fellow dancers will also assist you. The emphasis is on friendly enjoyment rather than perfection If you would like more information ring Mary Butson 01732 458356. GIRLGUIDING Otford’s Christmas Post 2019. This the last time you can buy stamps for Girlguiding Otford’s Christmas Post Service as it closes tomorrow so that the cards can be sorted and delivered over the weekend. The special charity post service, which is one of the longest running in the country, delivers Christmas cards with the scheme’s special stamps to addresses in Otford village. Stamps cost 30p and are available to purchase in Otford library during normal opening hours or in the Parish Council office every weekday morning. Christmas cards can be posted in the special post boxes located in the same places. Otford’s Brownies and Guides will collect, sort, frank and then deliver the cards over the two weekends before Christmas. This year the money raised from the sale of the stamps will be donated to SERV Kent Bloodrunners, a charity that provides emergency courier services transporting blood products, samples and other essential items for major hospitals and hospices in Kent out of normal working hours. Please support them by purchasing the special stamps and posting your cards early. Library opening hours Thursday 9am – 1pm, Friday 1pm – 5pm, Parish Council opening hours Monday to Friday 8am – 12:30pm. OTFORD Methodist Church are pleased to invite you to their special Christmas events: Carol Service 6.30pm Sunday December 22, Christingle 5pm Tuesday December 24 and their Christmas Morning Service at 10.00am. They look forward to welcoming you all to these events and exploring the real reason for celebrating the Christmas story in 2019. OTFORD Evangelical Free Church Christmas Services. There will be a Family Carol Service from 5pm to 6pm on Sunday December 22 followed by light refreshments and on Christmas Day you are invited to join them for their celebration at 10.00am. The church is located a 81 Pilgrims Way West, email otfordefc@gmail.com, website www.otfordefc.org.uk, telephone 07510 909035. ST BART’S is holding a service of nine lessons and carols by candlelight, followed by refreshments in the church centre at 6.30pm on December 22 and on December 24 a Crib Service at 4pm and Carols at 11.10pm followed at 11.30pm by Midnight Choral Christmas Communion. On Christmas Day there will be Holy Communion at 9.00am and an All Together Christmas Worship service 10.30a.m. All are welcome to join them. OTFORD Parish Council December/January Newsletter has an in-depth article on the Traffic Management Plan which will be of interest to residents, especially those who have attended Parish Council meetings to ‘have their say’. You will be given the opportunity to view the details on the traffic measures and comment before the final plans are drawn up and finalised but in the meantime the plans are now available on the Parish Council website at www.otfordpc.kentparishes.gov.uk, select ‘Traffic Management’. Paper copies are available in the Parish Council Office. The traffic plans are also on display in the Heritage Centre until today, Thursday 19 December and on Saturday 21 from 2pm to 4pm , then 2-10 January open from 8.00am to 12.30pm. If you wish to comment on the drawings please email: clerk@otfordpc.co.uk - deadline for comments Friday January 10 2020. MAKE a diary note for January 18, 2020 as this is the Opening Event to show off the new refurbished main hall of Otford Village Memorial Hall. The Hall will be open from 12 noon until 4pm and you are invited to meet the Trustees, see the extent of the refurbishment and have a glass of Bucks Fizz or Orange Juice with some nibbles. This is a drop-in event and is free to Otford Residents. ANOTHER note for your diary: St Bart’s is holding a Burns Night on January 25 with a Burns night supper in the Church Centre. You can look forward to a hearty supper, a tot of Whiskey, traditional readings, a table quiz and some Scottish themed entertainment. More details in the New Year. THANK YOU to all contributors during 2019 and I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. Details of events can be sent to me at drake_kay@hotmail.com making sure you enter Community News in the subject heading box or call 01959 522727. This is a brilliant way of getting your event, club, organisation free publicity but copy dates are two weeks prior to publication so do please let me have your details as early as possible to ensure inclusion.
