“The support we’ve had from Cadwyn Clwyd has been invaluable.”
Park in the Past in Hope near Wrexham is a not-for-profit company that was set up in 2014 by Paul Harston, CEO of Roman Tour.
His vision was to transform an abandoned sand and gravel quarry into a 120-acre country park with a 35-acre lake, providing the local community with recreational opportunities within a beautiful green space, as well as being home to Britain’s Big Fort Build.
This is a unique experimental archaeology site, where a 1st century AD wooden Roman auxiliary fortress is being reconstructed using authentic methods and materials.
They host school groups, home education groups and other organisations for education days and hold numerous historical reenactor events on-site such as Roman Auxilia week and Viking weekends.
But, as a Community Interest Company (CIC), they receive no formal funding and had to raise the money needed for the running and development of the site through educational days as well as charging a small entrance fee. They also apply for grants, and recently constructed a composting toilet block with a National Lottery grant.
To enable them to self-generate income, Park in the Past wanted to build a reconstruction of a prehistoric roundhouse, with a capacity for 200 people.
They were supported in this through the Prosperous Flintshire Fund, administered by social enterprise Cadwyn Clwyd, as part of a £4.75 million package to support communities and businesses in North east Wales.
Their vision is to develop the site into a national centre for natural wellbeing – with the new roundhouse, named the Earth House, enabling them to host experiential workshops on site. The Earth House will also be used to host educational activities for schools and will be available for general external hire.
The grant from Cadwyn Clwyd enabled them to complete the construction of the Earth House by covering 70% of the roof’s cost. The roof is a unique structure, blending modern canvas roofing technology with traditional materials, including traditional yurt felt for insulation.
“Park in the Past is a green oasis that supports wellbeing within the community. It is used for recreational and sporting activities and provides amazing, hands-on educational experiences for young people.
“This grant and the creation of the Earth House will ensure that Park in the Past continues to lie at the heart of the local community.
“We will be able to continue developing the site which will have a very positive long-term impact on both Park in the Past, and the local community.”
Lorrae Campbell, Grants Officer Park in the Past