A nature space in Ruthin was honoured with the Wales in Bloom 2024 awards.

The Llanrhydd Street Nature Space was recognised for its contribution at the recent awards ceremony in Abergavenny.

The space first started in 2022 and was created by Denbighshire Countryside Services alongside Denbighshire County Council’s Climate Change Team, and volunteers to bring new life to the old school field next to Ruthin Hospital for nature and the local community's enjoyment.

Almost 800 trees were planted on the site with the help of local school children as part of the council's ongoing initiative to cut down carbon emissions and improve biodiversity.

Almost 800 trees were planted on the site with the help of local school children as part of the council's ongoing initiative to cut down carbon emissions and improve biodiversity (Image: Denbighshire County Council) An outdoor classroom area was also built on the site, not only to help the children learn about biodiversity but also to help out local nocturnal residents.

Craftsperson Huw Noble built the wooden classroom, which also has a ‘bat roof’ that was specially designed to provide the features bats need to roost during the day.

Wildflower meadows, a pond, and picnic benches were also added to the site, alongside pathways.

The site has been managed since by countryside rangers with the support of volunteers backed by Nature for Health.

Llanrhydd Street nature space entered the Wales in Bloom awards for the first time and was classed as Level 4 ‘thriving’ under the Royal Horticulture Society and Wales in Bloom It’s Your Neighbourhood awards 2023.

The space first started in 2022 and was created by Denbighshire Countryside Services alongside Denbighshire County Council’s Climate Change Team (Image: Denbighshire County Council) Jim Kilpatrick, senior countryside ranger said: "We are really pleased that through the work of all volunteers young and old alongside our rangers has helped this fantastic site for nature and the Ruthin community be recognised.

"It’s developing really well since we began in 2022 here, the meadows are thriving in season and the trees planted are really coming on strong."

Cllr Barry Mellor, lead member for environment and transport and council biodiversity champion, said: "The volunteers and staff have made a real positive difference to what was once an old school field at Ruthin thanks to their dedicated work to improving biodiversity and the surroundings for the community.

"It’s brilliant that they have received this recognition for all their hard work."