The centre, which is housed in the Old Prison, was launched in July 2010 and helps to raise awareness of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as encourage people to explore and enjoy the landscape and natural beauty.
Denise joins the Conservation Board from Gloucestershire Geology Trust and formerly Oxfordshire Geology Trust where she was a project director. She also brings to the role a wealth of experience in primary, secondary and further education teaching. Commenting on the appointment, Board Director Martin Lane said: "We are delighted to welcome Denise to the team. She has a great deal of energy, enthusiasm and ideas that will help put Escape firmly on the Cotswolds map". Denise added: "I am looking forward to working with the Northleach team to help increase the potential of Escape as a vibrant visitor centre for the Cotswolds."
Escape to the Cotswolds will be open Wednesdays to Saturdays, including Bank Holiday Mondays, from 11am to 4pm. Volunteers are also being sought to help out during opening hours. If anyone is interested in volunteering, they should call the Conservation Board on 01451 862000.
The Old Prison is currently being purchased from Cotswold District Council by the charity organisation Friends of the Cotswolds. The Cotswolds was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1966 in recognition of its rich, diverse and high quality landscape.
The Cotswolds AONB is looked after by the Cotswolds Conservation Board - an independent organisation established in 2004 which has 37 members - 15 nominated by local authorities, 8 by parish councils and 14 appointed by the Secretary of State. The Cotswolds is the second largest protected landscape in England after the Lake District National Park and represents 10% of the total AONB area in the UK. It covers 2,038 square kilometres (790 square miles), stretching from Warwickshire and Worcestershire in the north, through Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, down to Bath and Wiltshire in the south. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), along with National Parks, are considered to be the most special landscapes in the country and belong to an international family of protected areas
