HAPPY NEW YEAR.. RSPB Sevenoaks Group meet at 7.45pm tonight, January 2, in the Memorial Hall 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/ YOU can join Tonbridge & Malling Ramblers if you fancy walking from Borough Green to Otford via the North Downs Way starting at 10am from Borough Green station car park on Wednesday January 8. Parking fee at the station car park and alternative parking in the Western Rd car park - fee payable. There are a few steep sections and some fantastic views with tea shops and pubs at the end. Estimated finish time 2.15, contact Margaret 01732 885295. OTFORD’s Traffic Management 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 between January 2-10 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. ON January 18, 2020 the Trustees of the Otford Village Memorial Hall are holding an Opening Event to show off the new refurbished main 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. OTFORD Oast WI next meet at 9.30am on Thursday January 16 in the Memorial Hall for a talk given by Helen Kendall-Tobias on Pearls and Princesses. New members are welcome and your first visit is free. For further information email otfordoastwi@mail.com. ST BART’S Burns Night is 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. 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 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. THANK YOU to all past contributors. If you would like to be featured in this column 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.
