New wood to remember those who died with Covid in Wokingham

The woodland will be established by Wokingham Borough Council, to remember the 427 people who died with Covid-19 on their death certificate in the area.

That sombre figure was taken from Government coronavirus data.

The woodland will stretch across a 7.7-hectare site, with around 6,600 native trees and additional wildflower seating being planted.

Work can now begin as a policy to create the woodland was approved by Wokingham Borough Council’s executive committee.

Welcoming the news councillor Clive Jones (Liberal Democrats, Hawkedon) the council leader, said: “Having come up with and proposed this idea, I’m delighted to see it come closer to reality.

“For every death in the pandemic, many more people were dealt the cruel blow of a sudden, unexpected loss which they will carry for the rest of their lives.

“While we offer a wide range of support to our residents, many in the borough are still coming to terms with the past few years’ events.

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“Even for those whose friends and relatives thankfully remained well, it was a deeply frightening and unsettling period.

“It’s important that people have a peaceful space to reflect on these things and to know that, as a community, we stand together and recognise those who are still grieving as well as those who are no longer with us.

“The benefits will last for many generations, even for those not yet born, as time spent in nature improves people’s well-being generally. Given this and the positive environmental impact, it’s a sound investment which will more than pay for itself.”

Councillor Clive Jones leader of Wokingham Borough Council, at the site where the Covid Memorial Woodland in Finchampstead will be created. Credit: Wokingham Borough Council

Although cllr Jones states that came up with the idea for the wood, that is disputed by the Wokingham Conservatives.

Cllr Gregor Murray (Conservative, Norreys), the previous executive member for emissions, suggested a covid memorial wood should be created in a motion that passed at a council meeting in November 2021.

Cllr Jones said the memorial wood idea was accepted and adopted by cllr Murray in the motion that bound the borough council to seek Tree Cities of the World status.

The memorial wood will be established at Rooks Nest Farm in Finchampstead, immediately north of California Country Park, and will also feature a sculpture or similar memorial, footpaths and two benches for future visitors.

The Covid Memorial Woodland, located near California Country Park in Finchampstead. Credit: Wokingham Borough Council

The council owns the farm, and it had previously been allocated as a possible site for 270 homes in the Wokingham Local Plan update.

However, such a development is unlikely to go ahead, as councillor David Cornish (Liberal Democrats, Finchampstead South) won election to the council in 2022 while campaigning against houses being built on the land.

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The creation of the woodland was approved at the executive meeting on Tuesday, March 21.

Cllr Jones was unable to attend due to illness, with deputy leader cllr Stephen Conway (Liberal Democrats, Twyford) chairing the meeting.

A council spend of up to £188,385 was agreed upon, with the cost of supplying and planting the trees can be funded through the Woodland Trust’s Emergency Tree Fund, which has committed £300,000 for planting across the borough.

The council’s Liberal Democrat administration stated that costs will be offset by people spending money at facilities such as California Country Park and ‘biodiversity net gain’ contributions from developers.