Wokingham’s free Covid woodland commemoration at sunset

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-18 15:56 3 min read

A wooden bench in a peaceful woodland setting during a golden sunset.

Wokingham residents are invited to the free Covid Memorial Woodland commemoration on Thursday 27 August, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. The outdoor event will take place at the woodland near California Country Park in Wokingham Borough, Berkshire.

The commemoration is open to everyone, with residents who helped plant the woodland particularly encouraged to attend. An RSVP form must be completed in advance so Wokingham Borough Council can plan parking, facilities and other arrangements for the evening. One person may respond for an entire household or group.

The one-hour gathering will mark the opening of the woodland as a place to remember and reflect on the pandemic’s impact across the borough. It will also recognise the residents, volunteers, community partners and council teams involved in creating the site.

A short programme followed by a sunset walk

The evening is expected to begin with a welcome and an introduction to the woodland. People involved in its creation will contribute before a short reading and a moment of reflection.

The planned programme includes:

Wokingham’s free Covid woodland commemoration at sunset

A welcome and introduction to the woodland
A contribution from people involved in creating the site
A short reading and moment of reflection
Commemorative watering
Time to walk through the woodland as the sun sets

The entire event will be held outdoors. Visitors are advised to dress for the weather and wear footwear suitable for the paths and ground conditions.

Parking, paths and facilities at California Country Park

Drivers should park at California Country Park and follow the signs along the paths to the Covid Memorial Woodland. Visitors should leave enough time to park and walk to the site before the commemoration begins at 6.30pm.

Accessible paths connect the country park with the woodland. Anyone with accessibility or other participation requirements can provide the relevant details when completing the RSVP form.

The café and toilets at California Country Park will remain open for the event. No additional transport arrangements are listed in the council notice.

Thousands of young trees form the memorial space

The Covid Memorial Woodland was created as a peaceful place where people can remember and reflect on the pandemic’s effects in Wokingham Borough. Thousands of young trees have been planted alongside grassland and areas of wildflowers.

Paths allow visitors to explore the site and observe how the woodland develops in the years ahead. Much of the tree planting was supported by Woodland Trust funding.

Residents, community groups, partner organisations and council staff took part in planting sessions. Further planting and work to establish the woodland continued through winter 2025/26 with support from the Countryside Service and community partners.

RSVP and photography arrangements

Photography and filming will take place during the commemoration for Wokingham Borough Council communications, media and archive purposes. Anyone who does not want to be photographed or filmed should tell the photographer or event organiser on arrival.

Visitors planning to attend should submit the council’s short RSVP form before the event, noting any accessibility requirements that would help them reach the woodland or participate. A single response can cover a household or group.

Source: Wokingham Borough Council

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The date, time, location and attendance arrangements were matched against the council notice published on 18 August 2026.

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