In the early 80s the finance department boffins recognised that the Findhorn Foundations’ economy was so drastically in the red that we were at a sink-or-swim moment. Then the owner of the FBCP (Findhorn Bay Caravan Park) property and business wanted to sell up and asked Peter if FF would be interested in buying.

To become the owner would mean FF was paying ground rent to itself (or its trading arm, which needed to be set up for the purpose), would benefit from the income of the public holiday homes and residential mobile homes, and could be in control of its future building stock.

It represented a mammoth undertaking. The only way to raise the sale money, about £350,000, was to ask for donations. So the community meetings sought inner guidance on both the existential question whether or not to buy, and then the practical one of how to raise the funds. (At this stage I began taking sewing into meetings because by keeping my fingers busy my mind stopped wandering from the discussions. I still have some beautiful felt Christmas tree decorations to show for all those hours)!

Once the choice was made to buy we then had to mobilise our 12,000+ mailing list to be inspired to donate. At the time a young US woman, Linda Delfinich, had joined the Community after working for many years raising funds for the American Cancer Society. She gave us extremely useful advice including that Eileen should personally sign every single letter (which she did!) and when preparing the mail-out each envelope should have a wee handwritten note on the back saying e.g. “With love and blessings from us all at Findhorn”. Which they did!

The figure was eventually raised both through large lump sums and touching £1 notes from pensioners, accompanied by touching notes along the lines of “I’m so sorry I can’t afford to give you more, but I do so want to support you, and send this with loving appreciation for the work you are doing”.

Another significant aspect to the manifestation ‘machine’ was that Eileen and Joanie wrote thank you letters to every single donor, from the multiple 000s to the £1.

Amanda Haworth