CROCODILES and eye-controlled video games may sound like a world away from the sleepy Cotswolds but a group wants to show that they are right on our doorstep.

The Rock the Cotswolds social enterprise group is highlighting that cutting edge technology and exotic creatures are just some of the attractions nestled among the picturesque rolling hills.

Now it is calling for more West Oxfordshire charities, organisations and businesses to come forward and promote their work to prove there is more to life outside the big cities.

Rock the Cotswolds was founded in June by Northleach resident Oli Christie, 43, who runs the mobile app company Neon Play in Cirencester.

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He said: “I spoke to people who said it was difficult recruiting people to work in the Cotswolds because everyone wants to go to places like London.

“It really frustrated me and I thought we needed to change the perception of it as a boring place.

“A lot of it is hidden under the radar but we want to get organisations from West Oxfordshire more involved.”

As part of its bid to change perceptions, Charlbury’s SpecialEffect charity and Brize Norton’s Crocodiles of the World conservation centre are among the “rockers” representing the district as Cotswolds ambassadors.

It will also invite them to attend networking events with other “rockers” – also including individuals, events and venues – in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.

The crocodile centre, a charity, was established in 2010 and originally based in Crawley, near Witney, before moving to its current Burford Road base in February.

It has 125 crocodiles and about 40,000 people will visit the centre this year.

Founder Shaun Foggett, 35, said: “There’s actually a lot more to the Cotswolds than people think and it’s great for people to see the different exciting things that they can do when they visit.

“People are very surprised to stumble across us and see the work we’re doing for these animals. There’s nothing like this elsewhere in the country so it’s quite a special thing to have in such a rural area.”

SpecialEffect, set up in 2007 and based at the Cornbury Park estate, adapts video game systems so they can be used by people with physical disabilities. Communications officer Mark Saville said it was the only charity that uses eye-gaze technology for video games, enabling people to play the driving game DiRT 3 using eye movements.

He said: “It’s a privilege to be in the Cotswolds because it’s a really central location in the country so it’s absolutely perfect for us in terms of accessing health and IT businesses.

“We also have the parking facilities that you wouldn’t get in city centres, which is important for people with disabilities.”

Other “rockers” chosen include public relations guru Matthew Freud, who owns the Grade I-listed Burford Priory, the Enstone-based Lotus Formula 1 team, and Finstock-based bespoke cap manufacturer Lucky Seven Caps.

 

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