Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers has helped plant fifteen trees in Whalebones in High Barnet to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

At a ceremony earlier this month organised by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), Ms Villiers joined HSS supporters, Veer Sumaria and Sujal Depala, to plant the saplings in the grounds of Whalebones House, the home of Paddy and Helena Shanahan.

The trees will grow next door to fields that Ms Villiers and locals have been fighting to keep in a long-running campaign to stop houses being built on them.

The saplings came from the Queen’s Green Canopy Project to mark Her Majesty's 70-year reign.

Prior to the planting, a colourful Hindu ceremony took place thanking mother earth (Bhumi) through the scattering of scented red coloured holy powder and rice. Vedic mantras were chanted and Vishal Shah of HSS UK welcomed the guests on the auspicious day of Varsh Pratipada - Hindu New Year.

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Ms Villiers said: “Planting these trees will be a positive legacy and a fitting tribute to Her Majesty’s unstinting service to this country and the Commonwealth over 70 years.

“It is wonderful that HSS have been able to organise the event. I very much enjoyed the ceremony and the tree planting on a chilly but bright spring day.

“It will be a pleasure for everyone involved to watch the trees grow and become part of Barnet’s natural world.

“Thank you to everyone who got involved to make this happen, especially Paddy and Helena, who have generously allowed this planting to take place on their land.”