Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, today attended the annual Coppetts Wood festival. This is a long running event, organised solely by local volunteers, which brings together a range of activities such as face painting, local musicians and morris dancing. It also provides the opportunity for local groups such as the Finchley Society and the Pinkham Way Alliance to set up stalls and meet local people.
Local ward councillor, Kate Salinger, has also been attending the event for many years and was there today.
Following the event, Theresa said: "It was great to be able to attend another Coppetts Wood festival. Coppetts Woods is a wonderful part of my constituency. When you are visiting this beautiful and peaceful wood, it is hard to believe that it is just yards from the busy North Circular Road."
"30 years ago, the Coppetts Wood Conservationists were set up to campaign to protect the wood and other nature sites in the borough. They are all volunteers and their hard work has continued right up to the present day."
"I would like to commend Dr Oliver Natelson for all the work he has gone for Coppetts Wood and nature conservation in Barnet over these last 30 years."
"There is no one with greater expertise in local conservation issues than Ollie Natelson. As a community, we are very lucky to have him championing the importance of the natural environment."
"Today he told us about the crucial importance of ivy in Coppetts Wood and its role in providing a home for insects which are crucial for pollination and for providing food for other wildlife. I am sure all those attending this year's festival will have enjoyed hearing what Ollie had to say and also will have had a great time in the spring sunshine."