The Gefrin Trust was formed in 2002 to ensure the preservation of the internationally renowned Anglo-Saxon site at Ad Gefrin - located just 4 miles from Wooler at Yeavering. Over two decades, the Trust has focussed on securing free public access to the site. It has also established a framework to direct archaeological research at Yeavering and in the wider landscape. More recently, the Trust has broadened its focus to help promote wider public awareness of the rich historic landscape of the Kirknewton and Till Valley area, by engaging with local communities, promoting educational materials and more generally helping to develop the area as a tourist destination. We have recently acquired the lease on the Maelmin Heritage Trail at Milfield to restore and develop the trail and ensure it meets local needs.
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The Gefrin Trust was formed in 2002 to ensure the preservation of the internationally renowned site of Ad Gefrin in Northumberland.
The work of the Trust over the last two decades has focused on securing free, public access to this important site through sympathetic, management, conservation and investigation. We have published an archaeological research framework to help direct research on the protected site and in the surrounding, wider landscape. Now our programme of research-led investigation is underway (including archaeological excavation) we are turning our attention to developing other aspects of the Trust’s work with the local community, exploring the potential for volunteering and learning opportunities and developing a visitor destination with local partners.
The Trust has ownership of an important paper and photographic archive relating to the site of Ad Gefrin, supplementing the internationally important archive held by Historic Environment Scotland. The Trust also has ownership of the artefacts and organic samples relating primarily to prehistoric and early medieval settlement that were recovered during archaeological investigations by Brian Hope-Taylor between 1953-1962 and Dr Anthony Harding in 1976. The new phase of archaeological investigation at the site begun in 2021 is currently adding additional material to this archive.
We are now embarking on a new adventure to develop local partnerships and deliver new initiatives and have recently acquired the lease on the Maelmin Heritage Trail at Milfield to restore and develop the trail and ensure it meets local needs.
We will continue with our core functions of site management and protection while working towards a business model that transforms our profile, engages new audiences and enables us to raise the necessary funds to deliver our priorities. We already have a good working relationship with the Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum and Whisky Distillery, College Valley Estates and Ford & Etal Estates and proposals for several new initiatives are under development.
Importantly we aim to develop and deliver projects that will attract visitors to the area, create volunteering opportunities and curriculum-linked learning programmes to schoolchildren in the locality (supporting the Northumberland National Park Authority and schools at primary and secondary level). We also want to work with tourism and creative partners to develop a vibrant annual events programme, through research, loans and skills-sharing to engage the wider community.
Our Vision:
Ad Gefrin is rooted in history, a place where myth, archaeology and tranquillity come together. We aim to inspire everyone with the extraordinary story of Ad Gefrin (Yeavering), by giving people the power to experience something of the magic of this place and its people.
Our Mission:
To explore and communicate the contribution Ad Gefrin (Yeavering) has made to our understanding of the heritage and history of Northumberland and the British Isles. We are building on the archaeological and historical investigations of the past, by supporting and promoting an increase in knowledge and understanding of the site and environs.