VISITORS to a nature reserve had a lesson in survival tips from Flintshire’s very own Ray Mears.

Skills such as fire lighting, shelter building, plant identification were all on display during a bushcraft day at Rhydymwyn Valley.

The event was hosted by the Friends of Rhydymwyn Valley.

Secretary, Pip Perry of Connah’s Quay, said: “The day went very well. The weather did not put anybody off and it was a good day. Everybody enjoyed the fire lighting and shelter building.”

Group member Saul Burton, a countryside ranger who works on the Wirral, led the day’s activities and taught a wide range of skills.

Pip said: “He gave a demonstration in a range of skills, he taught water purification and what plants you could make use of, he showed that you can make rope out of nettles.

“He also showed them how to start fires without using modern tools. They are important survival techniques, the kind that Ray Mears uses.”

The site, which covers 86 acres to the south of the village of Rhydymwyn, was home to a weapons factory during the Second World War.

Since 2004 it has been open to members of the public as a nature reserve and is home to a wide range of wildlife.

Pip said: “The friends was set up so that people could enjoy the site. It is a closed site so it is only open when it is manned by security.

“It is wonderful for the community and it has the road system so people in wheelchairs and children in pushchairs can use the site.”

For more information visit www.rhydymwyn-hendre.org.