Mote Park’s Restoration Project is almost at its end, with works expected to be completed by the summer. Our Audience Development Manager, Alan Frith, has been busy recruiting an army of volunteers, getting a programme of events together and encouraging wildlife lovers to get out and explore the park.
Explore the wildlife
Wildlife enthusiast Simon Ginnaw has been exploring Mote Park for new signs of nature for seven years.
During this time he has recorded 120 different bird species, 17 different mammals, 21 types of butterfly, 10 species of dragonfly, and four reptile species, among other different wildlife.
Here are some of the birds Simon has photographed recently in the park.
Volunteers
Volunteers have played an important part in the Mote Park work. The volunteers have worked on a number of projects including:
Digging the foundations and preparing the ground for a bridge to be put over the stream that runs through the woods at the bottom of Jenners bank.
Clearing some of the silt that has built up in the pond opposite the waterfall.
Planting trees with the BTCV heritage tree project.
Creating a wildflower meadow on Jenners bank.
The volunteers work every Wednesday and the last Saturday of each month, starting at 9.30am and working to 1pm. They meet at the volunteer office next to the café.
Male Pochard Male Tufted Duck Bridging the gap
A new bridge has been put in across the lake. The bridge, which spans 20 metres and weighs 20 tons, was put in in mid-March.
Free events for all ages
April 9 - 12pm-4pm Arts and crafts in the park.
April 17 – 5.30pm - 8pm Get to know your trees. Booking is essential.
April 21 - 9am – 12pm Get to know your birds. Booking is essential.
May 5 - 5am - 8am Dawn chorus walk. Free activity but booking is essential.
May 12 -10am - 12:30pm Mini beast hunt. Booking is essential.
May 12 - 1pm - 5pm Schools music showcase. No need to book
May 19 – 10.30am - 1pm Wild food foraging. Booking is essential.
May 2 - 10am – 12.30pm Heritage trees walk. Booking is essential.
June 4 – 12pm - 4pm Arts and crafts in the park.
June 9 - 10am – 12.30pm Wildflower walk. Booking is essential.
June 12 - 6.30pm – 8.30pm Heritage trees walk. Booking is essential.
June 23 - 10am - 1pm Down by the river walk. Booking is essential.
June 24 – 12pm - 4pm Kent Kite Festival – This will include professional displays and lots of free activities for all the family we may even attempt a world record. No need to book.
June 26 – 6.30pm - 9pm ‘As You Like It’ Shakespeare in the park - Booking is essential. Enjoy an evening watching one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays. Enter by main entrance in Mote Avenue bring picnics, rugs or low-back chairs (no tables). Tickets available from 10am, Monday, May 7 (max. four per person) Call 01622 758611 or visit
www.hazlittartscentre.co.uk
July 7 - 10am - 12:30pm Get to know your butterflies. Booking is essential.
July 8 - 2pm - 4pm Bumble bees presentation and walk. Booking is essential.
July 14 – 6.30pm - 9pm The Tales of Beatrix Potter theatre in the park. Booking is essential.
Little Egret
There are other volunteering opportunities available including – administration, stewarding and helping at events and activities including play days and arts and crafts activities.
If you would like to join the team call Alan Frith on 01622 602119 or email
alanfrith@maidstone.gov.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64