Introduction

As the topic of what happened at the time the Caravan Park was purchased has recently come up, I thought it would be interesting to see what we have in the Foundation archive files so we can replay the exact sequence of events. Based on documents I have found so far, I have constructed the sequence below. What I found particularly interesting from reviewing these documents is that the process of purchasing the Caravan Park took many years (one offer to purchase was made in 1977), and that there were many setbacks along the way – including not having all the funds required at the time the purchase was originally due to complete in November 1983. However, ongoing persistence, creativity and commitment to seeing this through meant that the community did finally take full ownership of the Caravan Park and Pineridge in November 1984 when the loan needed to fund the purchase was fully repaid.

This historical perspective is a work in progress, and I’ll update as/when I find other documents which fill gaps in the story.

Mark Anderson
FF Chair of Trustees

October 1977
An offer to purchase for £300,000 Findhorn Bay Caravan Park, Pineridge and stock and equipment was rejected by the Caravan Park owners.

1 January 1983
The Foundation and NFD took over running of the Caravan Park, on the understanding that all stock and fittings would be purchased outright on 17 November 1983. The sum payable was £100,000 payable in instalments from 15 May 1983 to 17 November 1983.

13 April 1983
Foundation Trustees made a formal offer to purchase the land of the Caravan Park and Pineridge for £280,000. This offer was accepted and Missives were completed on 7 July 1983 with a Date of Entry agreed as 17 November 1983.
(note – the price was subsequently altered – see below)

Around this time the Land Purchase Appeal was launched by the Foundation.

16 November 1983
A “Declaration of Trust” was registered 16 November 1983, having been signed in January and February 1983 by a quorum of 3 trustees. There is reference to the Declaration coming from a Trustee meeting in December 1982, but I have not yet located minutes relating to that.

The key content of the Declaration is:

…the Trustees adopt the following aims and aspirations as the policy of the Trust under their care so long as same are not in contravention of or contrary to the aims and conditions of said Trust as at present constituted or as may be amended from time to time: That is to say, the aims and aspirations are:

THAT all lands and properties under the custodianship of the Foundation, whether owned by the Trust or not, shall be so managed that they not only provide facilities for the furthering of the immediate objectives of the Trust but that they shall be also replenished and preserved for the use and enjoyment of the future generations of the Earth.

17 November 1983
Purchase of the Caravan Park, Pineridge and the stock and fittings was due to be completed. (given further offer 23 November below, it does not appear that the purchase of the land was completed on this date)

23 November 1983
The original purchase agreement was modified by an offer on 23 November 1983, accepted on 7 December 1983. The modification reduced the price to £261,000 of which £119,000 was a loan to be repaid by 17 November 1988 at the latest. It was repaid 17 November 1984 (see below).

8 December 1983
A resident trustees meeting discussed the Caravan Park purchase. Key points from this meeting:

  • The Turtle Island grant had not been made.
  • About £140,000 was still required to repay the loan and cover other costs.
  • Reference is made to a “Land Commission” and its “statement of intent” which is not yet approved by Trustees. I have not yet found anything confirming when or if a statement of intent was approved by Trustees.

25 January 1984
A resident trustee meeting further discussed the Land Commission.

Key points:

  • A grant of $50,000 from Tides Foundation (in turn from Turtle Island), was confirmed.
  • Reference was made to a letter from Michael Lindfield to the Tides Foundation, relating to the Turtle Island Trust grant. I was able to find the full letter:

28 February 1984
The Caravan Park Purchase and Land Commission were further discussed at a resident trustee meeting. Key points:

  • Funds still needed to be raised to cover payment of the Caravan Park.
  • There is reference to the Turtle Island Grant covering £35,000 to cover the purchase of Pineridge.
  • There was still ongoing discussion about the Land Commission and a “Land Council” with broader membership.

17 November 1984
The Caravan Park loan was repaid in monthly instalments with the final payment on 17 November 1984. The Foundation now owned the Caravan Park outright.