THE community of St Dogmaels recently got back to nature to give bees and butterflies a helping hand.

Volunteers from the village’s youth club and herb garden enjoyed a ‘Wild Weekend’ as part of a Keep Wales Tidy campaign to encourage people to improve food sources and natural habitats for pollinators.

They were among more than 230 successful applicants across Wales who applied for free National Garden Centre vouchers, receiving £150 to buy plants, tools, compost and wood.

During the weekend the volunteers rolled up their sleeves to improve the soil and planting of the community herb garden, which is opposite the Coach House and adjacent to the Mill Pond.

They also created a bee hotel which consists of pallets, hollow tubes, dead leaves, pine cones, drilled logs, and masonry. It mimics the conditions suitable for bees and provides a suitable habitat for many other insects.

The project was supported by Penrallt Garden Centre in Moylegrove and St Dogmaels Community Council.

St Dogmaels youth club leader Lisa Head said: “It was great to see volunteers of all ages and for the youth club members to get involved in this project."

Jen Carrick, the founder of St Dogmaels herb garden, added: “The community herb garden has suddenly taken on a much needed lease of life and together with replanting and replenishing is already vibrating with new energy.

“We are so grateful to Lisa for approaching us and look forward to continuing to provide not only a source of herbs for the community, but also a safe haven for our endangered bees and insects."