Smurfit Westrock helps to bring ancient Rome alive for thousands of visitors

Disused quarry was transformed as part of heritage and conservation project

The Smurfit Westrock-supported ‘Park in the Past’ has been a very popular addition to North Wales since opening earlier this year.

Over the summer, the reconstructed Roman fort attracted thousands of visitors keen to get a first-hand experience of ancient Roman life.

Smurfit Westrock provided over 240,000 tonnes of excess soil, which became available as a result of an extension at its nearby Mold facility, which formed the basis of this important heritage attraction.

The full-scale fort is the first of its kind in Britain for over 2000 years and is one of several amenities set against over 120 acres of natural beauty. These include a lake, which has established itself as a popular location for paddleboarding and open water swimming, and numerous walking trails. A park run also takes place there every Saturday and wildlife has been flourishing with kingfishers, peregrine falcons and even beavers being spotted at Park in the Past.

The park has had a busy summer since opening with school tours, academics, historians and a group of over 1000 scouts coming to immerse themselves in an authentic Roman experience. The site is continuously being developed with the latest addition being an Earth House which will be a novel setting for events. The Smurfit Westrock Foundation is also supporting the creation of an eco-playground and learning zone for children, conservation pond, eco-trail and therapeutic spaces to foster a connection with nature.

Eddie Fellows, Smurfit Westrock CEO of the UK & Ireland, said: “It’s been a real pleasure seeing this important heritage initiative coming to life before our eyes and we were delighted that the soil from our Mold plant extension was going to such good use. We are passionate about supporting our local communities and this initiative is another example of our circular approach to business.”

Paul Harston, Operations Director of Park in the Past, added: “A reconstruction of a 1st century AD settlement, along with such an extensive rewilding project, hasn’t been attempted anywhere else in the world and is part of our huge push to support health and wellbeing in the region.”