Join us at the Covid Memorial Woodland commemoration

You are invited to a short evening commemoration marking the opening of the Covid Memorial Woodland, near California Country Park.

• Date: Thursday 27 August 2026
• Time: 6.30pm to 7.30pm
• Location: Covid Memorial Woodland, 10-15 minutes walk from California Country Park car park.

The event is open to everyone. People who helped plant the woodland are particularly welcome.

Latest event update: Thursday 27 August

The commemorative opening of the Covid Memorial Woodland takes place this evening from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

More than 100 people are expected to attend, including residents, volunteers, partners, councillors and people involved in creating the woodland.

Free parking is available at California Country Park for those attending. Jacksons Café and public toilets will remain open until 8pm.

Visitors should allow around 10 to 15 minutes to walk from the car park to the woodland using the accessible pathways and follow temporary event signage.

The event is expected to go ahead as planned, with current forecasts showing a dry evening following rain earlier in the day.

What3words:

• California Country Park car park: ///stem.mimic.hops
• Covid Memorial Woodland entrance: ///enjoy.seated.rungs

About the commemoration

The evening is planned to include:

• a welcome and introduction to the woodland
• contributions from people involved in creating it
• a commemorative watering
• a period of reflection and remembrance
• an opportunity to explore the woodland as the sun sets

The event will take place outdoors, so please dress for the weather and wear suitable footwear.

Paths through the Covid Memorial Woodland are now open to visitors.

Getting to the event

• If driving, please park at California Country Park and follow the signs along the accessible paths to the Covid Memorial Woodland.
• Parking at California Country Park will be free for attendees from 5pm on the evening of the event.
• Jacksons Café will remain open until 8pm, serving light refreshments and hot and cold drinks. Toilets will also remain open until 8pm for event attendees.
• Please allow enough time to park and walk to the woodland before the commemoration begins at 6.30pm.

Accessible paths connect California Country Park and the Covid Memorial Woodland.

A place for remembrance and reflection

The Covid Memorial Woodland has been created as a peaceful place to remember and reflect on the impact of the pandemic across Wokingham Borough.

For many people, it will also be a place to remember loved ones, friends, neighbours and colleagues affected by Covid, while providing somewhere future generations can visit and reflect.

Much of the tree planting was supported through funding from the Woodland Trust.

How the woodland was created

The Covid Memorial Woodland has been created through the efforts of residents, volunteers, schools, community groups, partners and council teams.

More than 6,700 trees have been planted across the site. Community planting sessions in March and April 2025 saw 145 residents and volunteers plant more than 1,300 trees in just four days.

Children from Shinfield St Mary's Junior School helped grow and plant trees for the woodland.

Growing for future generations

The woodland is still in its early years and continues to establish.

Like many young trees across the country, some planting has been affected by two exceptionally hot and dry summers. Some areas have established more successfully than others and additional planting has already taken place where needed.

Despite these challenges, many trees are growing well. Any trees that have failed will continue to be replaced where needed, helping the woodland develop into a thriving place for nature, reflection and community use for generations to come. 

More than 6,700 trees have been planted across the site.

Nature already taking root

Wildflowers, butterflies and other wildlife are already beginning to benefit from the developing habitat.

This summer, volunteers have recorded several butterfly species across the site, while wildflower areas continue to establish alongside the young woodland and orchard.

The Covid Memorial Woodland will continue to evolve over the coming years as both a place for remembrance and a valuable area for nature.

Viper's Bugloss is among the wildflowers beginning to establish at the site.

Accessibility

Accessible paths lead from California Country Park to the Covid Memorial Woodland.

The paths are wide, flat and suitable for walking and wheeling throughout the year.

Photography and filming

Photography and filming will take place during the event for Wokingham Borough Council communications, media and archive purposes.

If you would prefer not to be photographed or filmed, please make yourself known to the photographer or organiser when you arrive.