Wokingham residents get three picks in park naming vote

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-17 18:19 2 min read

A whimsical green shrub shaped like a creature with large cartoon eyes in park.

By the demoduck.co.uk editorial team | Published 17 August 2026

Residents can now help name the living willow caterpillar at Dinton Pastures Country Park after 517 suggestions were narrowed to 10 finalists. Each person may select three names, although Wokingham Borough Council’s notice does not give a closing date.

Ten names make the Dinton shortlist

Rangers reviewed the ideas submitted earlier this summer and selected these finalists:

Bugsy
Dinny
Dinty
Tufty
Twiggy
Wiggles
Wilbur
Willowby
Willowmena
Winnie

The names appear in a random order for each participant, so their position on the voting form does not indicate a ranking.

How to cast three votes

Voters should open the council’s caterpillar-naming notice and use the “Choose your favourites” option. Up to three names can be selected from the shortlist.

Wokingham residents get three picks in park naming vote

The person who suggested the winning name will receive a family visit to Dinton Pastures, a photograph with the caterpillar and a handmade willow tree grown from its cuttings. The prize also includes boat hire at Dinton Activity Centre for up to five people, time with the Rangers and free parking for the visit.

If several people submitted the winning suggestion, one prize recipient will be selected at random. The council’s notice does not state when voting closes, so participants should check it for any deadline update before submitting their choices.

A park feature that needs regular care

The caterpillar stands near the children’s play area at Dinton Pastures Country Park. Rangers, volunteers and local students shaped, wove and restored it using living willow.

Unlike a fixed sculpture, the structure continues to grow. It therefore requires ongoing attention from the park team to retain its caterpillar form.

Source: Wokingham Borough Council

Context & actions About this article

Source check How this report was checked

The shortlist, voting rules and prize details were checked against Wokingham Borough Council’s published notice.

Checks

Confirmed that residents submitted 517 naming ideas.
Matched all 10 shortlisted names against the council notice.
Checked that each participant may choose three names presented in a random order.
Noted that the published notice does not specify a voting deadline.

Wokingham Borough Council Check wider coverage