Earlier this year a resident approached Buxted Parish Council with the idea for a COVID memorial which would include planting cherry trees following a nationwide initiative to plant tree circles across the UK ‘to help signal reflection and hope’ following the Covid-19 pandemic. Nearly £500.00 was donated by enthusiastic local residents, the balance being paid by the Ionides Trust. A plan was drawn up to plant three specimen cherry trees on the Ionides land, near to the entrance of Buxted Surgery, where there already were some maturing cherry trees. A bench, slightly higher up on the slope, was included in the plan. On the 15th of October the trees were planted, and the bench installed. Two tree guards, which had originally been situated in the Millennium Wood, were also installed. The tree guards had specifically been made for Buxted and were donated as they were no longer being needed at the Millennium Wood.