Up to the beginning of September this year, Jon Drake has been the focaliser of Cullerne, and the following is his report thereon:

“Cullerne Gardens this past year has been a process of revaluation and consolidation. We have continued to improve the grounds through judicious landscaping and extensive plantings of perennials, shrubs, and trees. Internal fencing from the previous owners has been removed to create a more open, flowing aspect – possibly a meditational woodland.

A shelter belt of mixed trees was planted on the perimeter to face prevailing winds, and a demonstration wood lot of alder and hybrid poplars on the south.

The vegetable fields were planted to meet our goal of providing wholesome food for the community. Unfortunately, the weather took its toll on harvest yields. However, there was satisfaction to our aims of good husbandry.

Capital improvements have not been made, excepting maintenance, in our urge to fill our commitments to debt reduction.

The greater number of guests participating in our work further indicates the tremendous drawing power of this asset. This year saw the reinstatement of an educational endeavour with a successful six-week intensive and a two-week tree workshop.

As a group, we have revalued Cullerne, drawing it further as an integral part of the Foundation, and consolidating our activities to enhancing its position as a horticultural backdrop to an educational experience called Transformation.

This year has been one of deepening rather than expansive, and we fully expect the next step to continue growing in positive directions.”

Jon Drake, Focaliser Aug 1984 – Aug 1985

Our next focaliser is Elizabeth Hume, our first woman focaliser, which to my mind is very portentous in the fusing of masculine/feminine energies within Cullerne.

The following is Elizabeth’s report on Cullerne’s propagation and ornamentals:

“This year about 5,000 new plants were propagated for the ornamental and spring bedding sales. About half were biennial/perennial herbaceous plants for permanent addition to Cullerne gardens. Others were for sales at summer fairs in Findhorn village and at Brodie’s ‘Taste of Moray’ country fair in August. These, combined with cut flowers (Lynn Barton’s sweet peas), houseplants, and dry flower bunches, all sold very well at the fairs. We keep on hand-potting perennials which we expect to sell more of this autumn.

Fred Barton’s alpines also seem to have maintained a steady flow of customers. We still seem to be maintaining  a steady flow of visitors, many of whom either purchase plants and trees or actually leave a donation for the gardens.

Because of the high costs of heating the tunnel SD 18, we turned off the heating in December and January and transferred our tender plants to Fred’s greenhouse and the main house. Consequently, this year there will be fewer tender plants. We hope to manifest funds for a new small, energy-efficient propagation glasshouse and make use of the cold frames for much of our vegetable propagation. Recovering of one or two of the tunnels will be a necessary expense next year. Cold frames will be rebuilt and reorientated, more permanently, possibly in a location more central to the property and more convenient to Fred and Lynn, who will be more involved with that process next year. Lynn has inherited the oversight of not only the alpine and heather beds, but also the perennial and herbaceous borders around the house, as Elizabeth has had to hand them over to undertake focaliser responsibilities.

The north woodland area is healing nicely after the removal of the chickens and the internal fencing. We hope to thin these woods this autumn in preparation for woodland gardens as part of our vision.

Nature meadow plants were planted out along the front fence and southeastern meadows and amongst the new popular energy forest on the Wilkie end of the property.

This summer the stable has been turned into a herb and flower drying room, with every inch of rafter dripping with dry flowers. These will be for use in pot pourri, teas, and floral arrangements for the community, and for sales and workshops next spring.”

Tima, our vegetable gardener, makes the following report:

“The smaller intensive garden plots—Butterfly, Pleiades, and Morven garden (the herb garden) had a wet but productive season. The Butterfly celebrated its second year as a rotational herb, flower, and vegetable garden. The soil is steadily improving with all the rich compost we have been able to make. The Butterfly continues to draw guests who enjoy working in its light, lively energy. The lettuce, cabbage, snow peas and carrots did especially well, and both bees and herbal tea drinkers appreciated that the fallow beds were planted to red clover.

Inspired by the flowing lines of the Butterfly garden, the Pleiades garden was created this spring as a meditation, companion plant plot based on the energy of circles. Perennial herbs, vegetables, and flowers are planted in seven groups of seven circles, each in accordance with the basic principles of companion planting. The paths were mulched with straw and attracted a lot of guests and visitors to spend time experiencing the gentle, peaceful energy of the garden. A large rose quartz was placed in the centre to symbolise earth healing and love. Stones from all over the world have been placed around the quartz in the same spirit and harmony.

Herbs from all three of these gardens, in addition to other areas within Cullerne, have been dried in our homemade dryer and packaged for use by the Community. The success and prolificness of herbs such as lemon balm, lavender, mugwort, chamomile, and various mints has encouraged us to increase both production and allocate space for herbs next year.”

Alexander, another of our vegetable gardeners, makes the following report:

“Just when we had finished planting and seeding, Doug Johnson, who was looking after the vegetable fields at the time, left Cullerne for Sudan, and I took over and have managed since on my own, with the invaluable help of our guests, especially our long term guests. The season was late and we had continuous rain which took its toll of our crops. Due to lack of manpower, all the land was not in use but I have intensified the culture on approximately one third of the fields. In general, we aim towards a more intensive use of the land and are experimenting with mulching techniques to reduce weeding labour and keep more moisture in the soil. Except for the cauliflowers, all the crops have grown well. The only plague we have experienced has been woodpigeons, so we have had to use netting on all plants in the cabbage family and on the peas.

The harvest has been quite good, despite the weather, but we do expect to produce one third less crops than usual, but otherwise, our cumbersome sandy soil has saved our plants this season from drowning!”

***

Editor’s Note: in the same folder we also found the following text attributed to Alexander.

Cullerne: Garden Sanctuary

Any form of garden school will separate Cullerne from the Findhorn Foundation, as the vision and purpose of the FF is: The advancement of religion and religious studies and practices (see FF Trust Deed). So, as part of the FF Cullerne should advance spirituality in working with nature. Attunement with nature. What is the spiritual approach to nature?

1. That you, as a human being, pray for the plants and animals that they may find liberation (bless them). That you do the same for all nature spirits and beings and be sensitive to them and their needs(!!!): wild gardens, sacred groves, places of refuge.
2. That you get an understanding of the Deva’s and work under their guidance. So rather than horticulturists, we should have experienced people who “teach” this to our guests.
3. That you get in touch with the non-material side of plants in general. Has the plant a soul (spirit) of its own or is a spirit being attached to it? We could work more with study materials like Dorothy Maclean’s books and tools like the Nature Love Game.

Cullerne: Mystery Garden

The Inner Garden. The garden as metaphor for the soul. The Paradise Myth. Let’s create a paradise! (Heaven on earth). A non-conformist approach. We have had conformist gardening (“proper gardening”) long enough now. We should have the courage to try something new, unheard of and unthought of as yet. Adventure! Pleiades Garden is the start for this. Maybe not produce veg at all? No, work with veg (not “produce”) in a new way. New intuitions. Intuitive gardening on the basics of proper soil and proper plants: plants should not suffer from our experiments.

The garden school or production garden to me implies weeding machines, composting machines, etc., just effective and boring stuff that works. Nature as a mystery school is what people come for, not to learn “proper gardening.” They would rather do that somewhere else. People come here out of spiritual interest and impulse. I think at this stage, workshops though are a waste of our time and energy. We should host workshops of Guest Dept. (Ed. Branch) on nature and healing.

The garden as a reflection of your own inner being: plant life has a reflective nature to humans. Plants do not move or intrude on us. They wait for us to look at them, work with them. Earth healing, human healing, plant healing, nature spirit healing (they are hurt!). Create a refuge for them and us. Dare to do it! So: Harmony and inspiration are more important than a thousand leeks or a million bedding plants! Or a “proper lawn” or any such Old Age concepts. Where is the New Age garden? It’s never been there yet, I think. It’s about time there is one. Why not Cullerne?

The balance feminine-masculine:

The Old Age garden is predominantly masculine, as most Old Age endeavors are!! So I suggest some ultra-sensitive gardening and weed-gardens and other daring projects along with the masculine lawn and other super-selective gardenings. The wonder of seeing nature at work on wasteland, etc. Things that don’t interest anybody because we are not really interested in nature at all! We only look for a pretty picture. National Geographic and Reader’s Digest’s “Nature.” A glamour trip.

The Tree Project may not fit into all this. What does it mean education-, mystery- and healing-wise to Cullerne? Not very much as far as I have seen. I feel it is just “sitting there.” I’d rather have a small tree nursery for our own and the rest of the community’s use, in its place.

I feel guest accommodation at Cullerne is of vital importance for our workforce, stability, finance, atmosphere, and service to the community and I think the Fellowship housing, alias the “barrel project,” would be a real gift to Cullerne.

If Cullerne would become any kind of garden school, it would move out into the “Village” and leave the Foundation, or the spiritual centre and, as I want to stay within the centre and not become part of the Village, I would have to leave Cullerne.

Cullerne is entering its second seven-year cycle (wasn’t it bought in 1978?), so: a new life!

Alexander.

Linda, our Tree focaliser, makes the following report:

“The Tree Programme at Cullerne is financially independent from the rest of the property, generating money from donations, grants, and sales of trees. This year few expenditures were made in order to review the financial management of the nursery. Approximately £150 came from the sale of trees this year. Linda Parker is the only member now working and is responsible for other tree related activiities outside Cullerne. There is and open position that has not been filled.

Project work this year included the front woods, shelterbelts around the property, creation of a small wood for fuel wood, and the tree nursery work. The front wood coming up the drive was planted with broadleaf tree species to start developing multiple layers for a woodland garden. This area will be developed for woodland walks and meditation.

Shelterbelts planted along the perimeter were continued with a Community planting at Spring Equinox. Another Community planting is scheduled for the end of September. Trees were shifted from other parts of the property to form windbreaks. A laurel hedge was planted in the vegetable fields.

A small woodlot of 500 poplars and alders was planted on the upper bench next to the tree line of Wilkie’s property. A quarter of these trees are planned to be coppiced in 5 years, creating a 20 year rotation.

The tree nursery serves as the main educative demonstration of the tree programme. There are over 6,000 trees in the nursery. This year no seeds were bought, relying on seeds collected last autumn. Over 1,500 seedlings were grown and potted up, with the main emphasis on native species. Thee other main thrust in the nursery has been to get trees planted out. Nearly 800 trees have been planted out in the lower caravan park, Wilkie’s Wood, Pineridge, and Cullerne. There are still 2,000 trees ready to be planted out.

The Tree Programme initiated at Cullerne has grown to embrace all tree work within the Foundation, represented by a group called Trees for Life. This group of 8-12 people meet once a month to meditate, share, coordinate and initiate projects together. The work and accomplishments reach outside Cullerne and are due to the initiative of individuals within the group e.g. Trees for Life T-shirt for sale at the Phoenix; Trees for Life 2 week workshop; tree planting in local schools, etc.”

Maureen makes the following financial report:

“We have continued to rationalise our capital and costs this year, and increase our revenue through a greater number of guests and a 6-week workshop focalised by Rory and Linda. The workshop was a great success due to the prodigeous efforts of Rory and Linda – and a little help from their Friends at Cullerne! In fact, the revenue from it paid for our June dividend payments. Obviously, workshops are going to be a good source of revenue for the future.

We hope this year to actually make a small profit on our current costs/revenue, having kept well within our budget this year. This has been due to no capital investment this year; increase in guest/workshop revenue; strict monitoring of bills and other costs.  Two years ago, our capital outstanding on Cullerne was around £55,000 and the outstanding capital is now £35,000.[1] Our dividend bill as a consequence has been reduced, although it is still quite high at £4,450 and it is our intention to continue paying off the creditors whenever we are in funds.

In conclusion, I would like to dedicate the success of Cullerne to the inspiration and hard work of the wonderful group that has been here this year. For five years Cullerne struggled with debts, despite the magnificent work of such people as Dick Barton. Now we seem to be steering on course and it is very uplifting to the group to, know that instead of being the average of £5000 in debt at the end of year, we may, God willing, actually make a small profit. This, to me, is a reflection of the work and clarity of thought the group has brought to Cullerne this year.”