How Findhorn Ecovillage recovered from arson attack
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A gathering has been held in the Findhorn Ecovillage's new community garden to mark the anniversary of last year's devastating fire.
In the pre-dawn hours of April 12, 2021, folk woke to the terrifying sight of fierce flames leaping metres into the sky.
People sleeping in homes just metres from the inferno were hurriedly evacuated as crews from seven fire engines battled to contain the blaze.
Two buildings – the community centre and the sanctuary – were burned to the ground as more than £400,000 of damage was recorded.
Shock then spread as it became clear it had been done deliberately.
Last week the anniversary was marked in a garden which has been lovingly nurtured to cover the scars left by the fire.
Caroline Matters, of the Findhorn Foundation, charity said: "There’s still a lot of grief reverberating through the community.
"It was a shocking event – lives could have been lost.
"Our focus now is on coming together as a community to design and build anew to serve both the needs of the charity and the community.
"We are starting with a new sanctuary and hope to break ground by the end of this year, perhaps around the community’s 60th birthday in November.
"Building the new community centre will take more time."
Six new benches – four in the community garden and two more at the sanctuary site – have been put in place.
These were made from Scots Pines trees which were badly damaged by the fire.
Yuko Sato, who's worked to create the garden, said: "If you look closely you can see darker areas on the benches where the trees were impacted by the fire.
"I think it's a really graceful way of making something beautiful, useful and new out of the old which we loved but needed to release."
Ash Balderson, who's also a part of the garden team, added: "I’m so happy in my heart and full of love for the life that’s come back in this beautiful space that we’re creating together."
Joseph Clark, who had recently been made redundant for the Findhorn Foundation charity, handed himself into the police the day after the fire.
The 49-year-old was held on remand for six months after instructing his defence lawyer not to apply for bail.
He was later ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid community work and placed under the supervision of social workers for three years.
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