The Little Oaks Memorial Garden is a welcoming, friendly space for anyone looking for a place to remember their loved ones. The landscaped area features seating area where stones can be painted in memory of a loved one, a pergola, and a post box where letters can be written to those they have lost. The letters will be shredded and recycled in a new wormery, with the compost being used in the woodland, ensuring the messages become part of the living memorial.

The idea for the garden came from discussions that the Bereavement Services team at Warwick District Council had with the midwives and chaplaincy at Warwick Hospital, wanting to create a dedicated space for parents and families that were experiencing bereavement.

Several of the Council’s contractors contributed to the project through their social value commitments, donating materials and time to bring the garden to life.

The garden was officially opened on Saturday 10 May at the Oakley Wood Crematorium open day.

Cllr Will Roberts, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood said:

“I’m delighted to see the memorial garden come to fruition, providing a peaceful space in this beautiful woodland setting.

“The whole garden really is a testament to what we can achieve when we’re working together with our partners to provide something truly meaningful for those that need it. I would like to thank the team at Oakley Wood for bringing this vision to life.

“We hope the Little Oaks Memorial Garden will be a place of peace and tranquillity for parents and families who are bereaved through losing a pregnancy, a baby or a child.”

Contractor contrributions

• Allworks – surfacing of the area
• Idverde – donation of the stones in the gabion benches
• Pinners – carpentry labour for the gabion benches
• Ian Williams – donation and installation of the pergola
• Columbaria Company – donation of bench plaque
• Bell Group – donation of paints and wood stain
• Teleshore – Little Oaks slate sign