THE plum job of managing the multi-million pound Sill landscape discovery centre on the Roman Wall at Once Brewed has gone to a Tynedale woman.

Sarah Glynn, who grew up in Hexham and now lives in Prudhoe, is giving up her job as manager at The Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle to steer the flagship centre, which is expected to become one of the North-East‘s top tourist attractions.

Sarah said: “I’m really excited by the bold ambition that lies at the heart of The Sill project. 

“Our main purpose is to inspire people of all ages and from all backgrounds to explore the wonderful landscapes of Northumberland.

”And while the building itself will be spectacular, it represents just one part of the overall project. We’ll be taking our events programme and the message of The Sill directly out into communities not only here in the North East but across the UK.”

Sarah studied geological sciences at Leeds University and gained a Ph.D. in marine geochemistry from Southampton University.

She Payin g tribuitjoins The Sill from Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums Service, where she became the first female curator in the Hancock Museum’s 131 year history

She oversaw the creation of more than 65 exhibitions and displays and was a key member of the team that led the museum though a £26m re-launch in 2009.

Sarah will work closely with local businesses, charities, communities, schools, universities and a range of other organisations in the £14.8m project, to develop an ambitious programme of events and activities that will get under way well ahead of the building opening to the public in June 2017.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has granted £7.8m to The Sill project to support the delivery of more than 1,000 unique events between 2017 and 2020.

Chief executive of Northumberland National Park Authority Tony Gates, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Sarah to our team. Although we’re still some 18 months away from opening The Sill it’s important to have Sarah in place now to drive our engagement with communities, volunteers and partners and to lead on turning this fantastic concept into a reality. 

“I believe Sarah brings the precise mix of knowledge, skills and experience needed to achieve our vision for The Sill and we are pleased to have secured her services and commitment to the role.”

Paying tribute to her work, , director of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums Iain Watson said: “Sarah has been a valued colleague and friend. Always energetic and resourceful, her leadership at the Great North Museum: Hancock has seen blockbuster exhibitions, excellent research projects with Newcastle University and the museum achieving record breaking visitor numbers. 

The Sill is being built on the site of the former visitor centre and YHA hostel at Once Brewed, adjacent to the Hadrian’s Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On completion, The Sill is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors each year to all-weather facilities such as hostel accommodation, retail outlets, a café and education facilities for learners of all ages.

It will also deliver substantial economic benefits to the region, including a rural growth hub to support the growth and development of rural enterprises, 100 new jobs and an estimated £5m of additional visitor spending annually.