Following the launch of our exclusive Corenkyn Membership package, offering the chance to be part of our ‘founding family’, we have welcomed our first international member from over 10,000 miles away in Australia.
Mark Murray was born and brought up at Weetwood Farm just outside Wooler, attending the local primary school and playing rugby for local towns Alnwick and Berwick during his youth. He left in order to pursue his career and has spent the last 12 years living in Melbourne, Australia, however the rolling hills of Northumberland will always be home.
Mark recently returned to Wooler for the first time in six years and was blown away by our vision for the visitor experience and distillery. With his background in renewables and sustainable finance, Mark was especially impressed by our focus on minimising our carbon footprint and investing in the local community.
Commenting on becoming Ad Gefrin’s first international Corenkyn Member, Mark said: “I am very proud of my Northumbrian roots and my immediate family are still in the Glendale locality. As a boy I remember seeing Redpath’s lorries on the farm transporting livestock, and it was very sad when the business closed. The last time I was home I drove past the derelict yard, so when I returned last week, I was blown away to see how it has been transformed!”
“Wooler has always been home, and it always will be. Since leaving the area I have continued to support various local initiatives such as the Wooler Fountain Restoration Appeal, and as a whisky collector (and consumer!) I couldn’t miss the chance to become a founding member of the first Northumbrian whisky distillery located in my hometown.”
Sharon Howey, who leads our membership programmes responded: “It’s incredible to welcome our first member from the other side of the world, especially one who has firm roots and links with the area. Ad Gefrin stands for the spirit of belonging – bringing people together in moments that matter, and celebrating true Northumbrian hospitality. The word ‘Corenkyn’ comes from the Old English words for ‘chosen’ and ‘family’. Our Corenkyn members will be a very special part of the Ad Gefrin family – investing in our amazing journey from the very beginning, and joining us in building a positive future for the wider Glendale community.”
Corenkyn Members will benefit from lifetime access to the Exhibition and Distillery Tours and recognition within the new building in perpetuity. There will also be a bottle of Ad Gefrin spirit every year for eight years; initially an exclusive Corenkyn Blend Collection released with a different cask finish for the first five years, followed by a bottle of the Ad Gefrin Single Malt for the remainder of the term.
Mark concluded: “I am counting down the days until I can taste a wee nip of the Single Malt and am very proud to be part of something unique in my homeland. I’ll be back in a couple of years time to celebrate my 50th birthday and am very much looking forward to seeing the distillery up and running when I return.”
If you are interested in becoming a Corenkyn Member, then please contact Sharon at memberships@adgefrin.co.uk
