Local pupils help grow Covid Memorial Woodland

A special moment took place at the Covid Memorial Woodland this week ahead of its official opening this year.

On Monday 26 January, Year 6 pupils from Shinfield St Mary’s Junior School visited the woodland, which sits on land just north of and accessible from California Country Park. The site is being created as a peaceful place to reflect on the pandemic and to honour everyone affected across Wokingham Borough.

The pupils have spent the past year collecting local seeds such as hazel, hawthorn, crab apple and rowan, then growing them into healthy saplings. They said they enjoyed spotting the seeds they collected last year now growing as young trees across the site.

Using locally sourced seeds helps support biodiversity and creates a stronger and more resilient woodland for the future.

The pupils were supported by Matt Knight, Head of Ecology at Shinfield St Mary’s, Regional Lead at The Tree Council and co-founder of local fruit tree planting charity Freely Fruity. Having helped plant more than 10,000 trees across the area, he was well placed to guide the pupils. He said:

“There’s no better thing than bringing pupils outside the classroom and getting their hands dirty. We’ve loved finding local seeds, nurturing them into young trees and planting them in their new home.”

The pupils grew more than 130 saplings, which they have now added to the Covid Memorial Woodland. The new saplings join native species already taking root, including hazel, oak and wild cherry. Wildflower seeding is also underway to support biodiversity across the site.

The woodland, which features around 7,000 trees, is due to officially open in 2026, with further details to be shared soon. It was originally planned to open last year, but the particularly warm and dry weather meant many young trees struggled to establish even with increased watering. New planting is now underway where needed and the space is taking shape.

We will share more updates over the coming weeks as the woodland continues to grow.