Editor’s note: The following article by Olwen Knott was previously published in One Earth Magazine Volume 4 Issue 3, Feb/March 1984.

“I retired after 50 years in offices and came to Findhorn to grow younger.” Stan Clapham

TWENTY-FIVE of us who live at the Findhorn Foundation are over 60. Except for the few who prefer not to be attached to any age group, we meet for tea in the Family House once a month. It’s a time to be together, to discuss com­munity affairs and to keep our special role here clearly defined.

We see that role as giving stability and depth to communal life. Often by the time one reaches 60, life’s most impressive experiences have occurred-its lessons have been either learned or rejected, its obstacles overcome or stumbled over. Much joy and pain have woven them­selves into the pattern of one’s life, smoothing off the rough edges and adding a little polish. When this milestone age is reached, it is expected that a more mature, balanced, loving, c0mpassionate and wise individual has emerged with the strengths of the spirit that can combat the problems and anxieties that beset the older person in today’s society.

The older people at Findhorn are aware that the latter years of life are special, that they are a time to cultivate spiritual growth. We have been attracted here for this very purpose, to serve the unfoldment of God’s plan for this centre and, in doing so, to further our own growth.

We come from many different backgrounds and paths. We are single, married, divorced; parents and grand­parents. Augusta Lumbley, our energetic lady from Texas, is a great-grandmother. Eighty years old, she works in the garden and in the greenhouse at the Park and makes delicious Southern cookies for com­munity celebrations.

Our oldest member, Ross Stewart, resigned as Chairman of the Trustees last year shortly before his 90th birthday. He and his wife, Aileen, continue their active support of the community and celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary with us recently. Another couple, Kay and Floyd Tift from the USA, have focalised Cluny Hill College for the last two years, during which time Kay has also been on Core Group.

Elfreda Coy, a Foundation member for 13 years, is in charge of the guests who work in the Publications department. Stan Clapham is a longtime member of the gardener’s group while his wife, Joan, focalises the Over-Sixties group and sews and bakes for numerous community func­tions. Elsie Dean, here for 14 years, is in her late 70s and though she no longer works full-time, she continues to lend her support by serving tea and baking cakes.

Constance Marcham manages the whole foods area of the Phoenix, the com­munity shop; Joannie Hartnell Beavis and Doris Oulton work with community finances; Inara Sheridan is our Park librarian, works part-time at Phoenix and focalises occasional guest weeks. Fred Bar­ton, after many years in the Park garden, is now busy with the greenhouses and or­namental plants at Cullerne. Lucia Spowers and I work in Publications-she with distribution and trade sales, I with the One Earth magazine.

A few of us work outside the communi­ty as well. Sara Marriott and Barbara D’arcy Thompson are actively involved in health and healing workshops here and abroad. Eileen Caddy flies off frequently to give talks and workshops, touching in with our extended family all over the world.

Quite a number of the Over-Sixties have a keen interest in healing techniques such as reiki, metamorphic, reflexology and massage. We type, operate computers, taxi-drive to airports and train stations; we babysit, caretake homes while members are away, mind cats, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters and feed chickens. Our lives are very busy.

Findhorn is not an easy place to live for any age group. There are a lot of pressures with so many people from different nationalities and cultures interacting and many feel the stresses and strains of com­munity living. Here, I think our age becomes an asset because we are often able to function with greater equanimity. It is easier for us to sort the trivial from the more important issues and we have gathered the inner strength to face crises more adequately.

Nevertheless, Findhorn is somewhat reluctant to accept older people as members, particularly as there is as yet little provision made for those who need special care and attention. Jenny Walker, an 89 year old Scottish woman and staunch supporter and member of the Foundation since the early days, has in the last few years become quite frail physically. A few months ago, she had to move to the geriatric wing of the Forres hospital when community members tak­ing care of her were not able to meet her increasing needs. Evelyn Sandford, a wonderfully gentle and loving soul who devoted herself to the community for years, died in hospital 40 miles away. It’s a distressing situation for those of us who are over 60. Hopefully we’ll be able to set up a welfare department in the communi­ty as the planetary village comes into be­ing and communal awareness grows deeper.

Living at Findhorn has its challenges but it is also a lovely place to be. The Scot­tish Highlands make a delightful location. We can walk in the forests or along the wind-swept beaches of the Moray Firth. We enjoy spectacular sunsets (and sunrises too, for early risers) and winter’s Northern Lights. Occasionally we visit Iona and relax in the special atmosphere of our community cottage, Traigh Bhan or we visit our brothers and sisters on the Isle of Erraid. This is a land of outstanding physical beauty-all of us enjoy living through its changing seasons.

While the roar of the aircraft from the nearby base at Kinloss reminds us that all is not well on Planet Earth, life in the community is loving and supportive, peaceful and harmonious. We are privileg­ed to be at Findhorn at this challenging time in human affairs.