Conor McGinn MP was joined by pupils from St Peter and St Paul’s Primary School to plant two trees in Haresfinch Park as part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, a network of forest conservation initiatives which involves all 53 countries of the Commonwealth.

The trees were given to Mr McGinn thanks to a partnership between the Woodland Trust, Sainsbury’s, ITV and St Helens Council as part of the Queen’s ambitious legacy project which brings together her deeply held commitment to the Commonwealth and her little-known love of trees.

Mr McGinn formally planted the trees alongside local children from St Peter and St Paul and their head teacher Mrs Rigby, Moss Bank councillor Trisha Long and St Helens Council Cabinet Member for Parks Cllr Lynn Clarke, and with the help of the Council’s Parks team.

Mr McGinn said:

“I was delighted to have this opportunity to take part in this 53 countries-wide initiative to help raise awareness of the importance of trees to our environment and mark the Queen’s service to the Commonwealth and the country.

“It was lovely be joined by pupils from St Peter and St Paul and to have the chance to explain to them that the trees – one called Peter, and one called Paul – being planted would be there for them to see growing for many years to come, and that by doing our little bit here in Haresfinch, we in St Helens were joining thousands of others in taking park in a much bigger and very special global event.”