OTFORD Evening WI meet at 7.30pm tonight, Thursday September 12, in the Club Room of the Memorial Hall to hear Rod Leeming talk about his experiences in the Metropolitan Police Special VIP Protection Unit. For more information please contact their President 01959 524831. OTFORD Oast WI next meet on Thursday September 19 in the Memorial Hall when Jackie Simmonds will be talking about ‘Her Life as a Tiller Girl’. New members are very welcome and your first meeting is free. For more details email otfordoastwi@mail.com. THREE history groups meet regularly in the village Memorial Hall. The Otford and District Historical Society (ODHS), the 1940s Society and the North-West Kent Family History Society (NWKFHS). Meetings of all societies are open to the public. ODHS annual membership from September to May for nine meetings is £10 per adult, or £3 per meeting. The 1940s Society has six meetings per year and admission is £3 per meeting. Annual membership for the NWKFHS is £10 and visitors are asked for a contribution. Refreshments are available at all meetings. Doors open at 7.30pm and the talks generally start at 8pm. NWKFHS meet tonight, Thursday September 12, for a talk by Gillian Halcrow entitled "SOE” - Special Operations Executive, Churchill's Secret Army”. ODHS meet on Wednesday September 18 for a talk by Alan Wiliams ‘Otford Goes to War’ (part 1), 75 years ago - Doodlebugs down the Darent Valley’. OTFORD Lunch Club, for older residents takes place from 11.45 every Thursday in the village Memorial Hall, High Street. The Club is a welcoming place for local residents to go along and socialise with friends, old and news. It is run by a dedicated teams of volunteers and members enjoy a welcoming cup of coffee or tea followed by a hot nutritious two course meal each week and it may be possible to arrange transport. To find out more please contact Margaret Nicholson 01959 524147. IF you are interested in all the activities of OPC the Minutes of the meetings are available in the Library and the Minutes, Agendas and Newsletters can be obtained via the web www.otfordpckentparishes.gov.uk. The Parish Council are also looking for a newsletter deliverer for Station Road, Colets Orchard and Beckets Place. If you feel able to take this on just 10 times a year please contact Sue 01959 524808 or email clerk@otfordpc.co.uk. MEMBERS of St Bartholomew’s church will be participating in The Friends of Kent Churches Bike and Hike being held between 10am and 6pm on Saturday September 14 and potential sponsors will be most welcome. They are also looking to make up a rota of people to welcome visiting cyclists and walkers to sign them in. If you can spare an hour or two please contact the Church Office 01959 523185. The money raised is divided between Friends of Kent Churches and our parish. OTFORD Memorial Hall cleaner required. The Hall management are looking for someone to work for two hours each day on Saturday and Sunday mornings (alternatively possibly Friday and Saturday evenings) and also provide holiday/sickness cover for their existing cleaner and the Hall Manger. For further details please call the Hall Manager 07887 780576 or email ovmh.manager@otford.net. IF you would like to host our Hardelot Twins on the weekend of 27/29 September and/or join the coach trip to Hampton Court on Saturday September 28 please contact Jane Lawrey c/o the Parish Council office, 01959 524808, as soon as possible. Their next social gathering is at The Woodman at 7.30pm on Monday September 16. You are invited to join them and learn more about the Twining Association with some suggestions for their activities for next year. COME and play is held at the Otford Evangelical Church every Friday morning during term time from 9.15 to 11.15 starting on Friday September 6. All babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their grown-up are invited to join in for lots of fun play activities, including painting, playdough, trains, puzzles, books, roleplay and construction. Please contact Elaine 07510 909035, email otfordefc@gmail.com or visit www.otfordefc.orn.uk. DIAL 2 Drive are seeking volunteer drivers to take elderly/disabled people to a medical appointment or shopping just one a week. If you own a car and would like to help please contact them on 0300 777 1200 or email driving@imago.commuity.
