Spring is traditionally a time for having a thorough tidy up, however the staff at Audley Mote House retirement village decided to go one step further when they became concerned by the potentially damaging overgrowth surrounding the historic Volunteers Pavilion, situated on the east side of Mote Park.

The pavilion was originally erected in 1801 by the Volunteers of Kent as a tribute to the Lord Lieutenant, the Earl of Romney.  The circular structure, which is surrounded by columns and covered with a dome, had been left to its own devices and ash saplings had sprouted around the edges with their roots causing damage to the building.

Shayne Brown, Head Gardener for Mote House explained, “Although the Pavilion is located in the public area of Mote Park and we are responsible for the 11 acres surrounding Mote House, given its historical importance we just couldn’t bear for the damage to continue.   The work needed to be carried out before the prime growing time as the roots would have become uncontrollable.  We have spent over 40 man hours sorting out the undergrowth and trying to bring some order to the vegetation growing around it.  We liaised with the Parks and Open Spaces Department and Properties Department (MBC) and a volunteer from Friends of Mote Park came along to help out too."

The pavilion was erected close to the site of the original Mote House but soon afterwards it was destroyed. A new house was built in the location found today where it forms the magnificent centre piece of Audley’s Mote House retirement village. 

Due to open by this time next year, Mote House will once again be a social hub of activity with its own restaurant, bar bistro and health and fitness facilities as well as hair salon and treatment rooms.

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