Beginnings….
When we talk about beginning something, an event is usually how we date it. Looking back to seminal moments of change it becomes clear that life is so many different ways creates a pathway -a prediction of outcome, which when realised has us describe it as beginning. The Joseph Carey Psychic Foundation was founded on 14th May 1967 at 14, Moulin Avenue, Southsea, Hampshire -an outcome of two very different lives; Tony Ashenden and Leonard Burden. They met in the autumn of 1965 at St Joseph’s Spiritualist church, North End, Portsmouth.
Len, as he was most often addressed, was born in St Georges Square, Portsea, Portsmouth on 16th September 1929, at a house whose number is not recorded, a record of birth that gave promise of mystery –as indeed it proved to be. Psychically aware from an early age he struggled to reconcile his sensitivity and other world awareness with his Roman Catholic faith. Even as a boy he was aware of Joseph Carey, not as yet accepted as a reality. At night when Joseph appeared to him, he would dive under the bedclothes in an attempt to blot the vision out. His mother Margaret was also a highly sensitive person and her understanding alone of his ‘peculiar’ nature would have been sufficient cause for the close relationship he had with her. In teenage years he struggled to understand his sexuality until he accepted he was homosexual by nature.
Gradually his defensive and concerned nature gave way to understanding and love for Joseph Carey, who he simply addressed as Joey, and for other communicators who would announce themselves to him, often in the dead of night, awakening him from sleep. As the echoes of war died away his psychic nature led him to Christian Spiritualist gatherings –in those days still very much an underground movement. Great care was taken to ensure public meetings did not arouse condemnation from the orthodox Christian community, or visits from the police. The arrest of Helen Duncan in Portsmouth in 1944 was still fresh in Spiritualists memory. Meetings were held in private houses and parishioners would be known by name and arrive by invitation.
Attendance to seances and spiritual healing groups, often held to nurture the psychic and spiritual nature, and give healing by the laying on of hands, his innate abilities grew stronger. Never the ‘dumb instrument’ he questioned his psychic nature, probed, and studied not only Spiritualist writings, but also developed a strong interest in the occult sciences, embracing both the Rosicrucian philosophy and Theosophy. And very soon became known for his individual approach to mediumship and healing work. He had the rare gift of deep trance mediumship, and the personality and work of his communicators could clearly be witnessed as significantly different from Len’s earthly self.
He made a strong link with Mr and Mrs Homer who held the Helen Duncan materialisation seances in the 1940’s, who later in the 1950’s opened up the St Margaret’s Christian Spiritualist Church (No.49) in Kingston Crescent in Portsmouth. Len would often take meetings there, working in trance, giving clairvoyance, demonstrating Psychometry, Sand and Flower readings. When Len was known to be working the pews would be full and with other hopefuls standing. later in the 1960’s he became the resident medium at the St Joseph’s Christian Spiritualist at 10, Angerstein road, North End, Portsmouth.
Anthony, or Tony as he has always been known, was born in the village of Bearsted in Kent on Christmas Eve 1941, his father a builder, mother a farmer’s daughter, famed in the family for having green fingers -could make anything grow! By the time he was 10 years of age anything and everything connected we sea and ships was an overriding passion. Sensitive to nature and all living things, he accepted that as part of his upbringing. At 13 his parents finally succumbed to Tony’s desire for a sea life and placed him aboard the training ship Arethusa, an ex-P sailing ship, the Peking, moored on the Medway river at Upnor. It was here that Tony first acknowledged voices that spoke to him, even so, still inclined to regard them as a manifestation of an overactive imagination. After two years of education in both maritime and normal school subjects, he was all set to join the Port Line as a trainee deck officer. At decision time he suddenly changed his mind and elected to join the Royal Navy as an ordinary seaman.
At St Vincent training establishment in Gosport, Tony was chosen to be a junior instructor to a forthcoming entry of junior seaman -revealing a teaching talent that he would practise throughout his life. Eventually, as a Radar plot specialist he was at sea, visiting over 40 countries in two commissioned ships. Diagnosed with a severe conjunctival eye complaint that appeared to cause him see blips on Radar screens that were not there, Tony was sent to Haslar Hospital for further treatment and eye tests. The outcome was to either wear glasses and change branch or leave the Royal Navy. Again, he was prompted by inner voices, and left the Navy, only to be told at a pensions review examination there was nothing wrong with his eyes and he should stop wearing glasses!
Deciding to live and work in Portsmouth, yet not having any friends or family there, he decided to learn ballroom and Latin dancing to socially meet people of his own age. He quickly became proficient and was encouraged by an experienced dance teacher to pass the professional examination, which he did, and became an Associate of the Dance Masters Association (ADMA) to become employed as a dance teacher at a newly formed school in Portsmouth. Once again his teaching talent changed the course of his life. Tony continued to pursue his passion for writing that began on publishing an article in the Nautical Magazine whilst he was still a pupil on the TS Arethusa and would bash away on a portable typewriter when free from teaching. Career-wise Tony was thinking of getting into the musical theatre.
Are you sure about this? Asked his close friend Shirley Middleton, who persuaded him to seek the advice of a local medium, Grace Hickey. Not wanting to offend and to satisfy Shirley’s persistence Tony agreed. The result was life-changing. Not only did he receive irrefutable evidence of his uncle’s presence, who died before he was born and was helping him with his writing, he was given description of two key communicators. His consciousness was dramatically affected during the reading and for some time after. It felt as if the top of my head had been opened up and my world had suddenly changed, he said. Gracie’s key message was, “You are a medium. Go, seek out Len Burden and he will teach you”.
In the subsequent two years, with Len’s guidance, Tony developed his mediumistic ability, as a clairvoyant, in trance, as a psychometer, and an inspirational writer. He stopped teaching dance and took a steady 9-5 job which gave more time to develop his psychic and spiritual interests. And now people were attracted to be taught by him. Following discussions between Tony and Len on the need of organisation to help persons wanting to develop psychic and spiritually without having to be a member of a Spiritualist church, Tony suggested it should be named after Len’s main guide, Joseph Carey. With Len in trance, Joey made it known he would like to address Tony and his principal pupils on that subject. To that end all assembled prepared for deep trance mediumship which they had witnessed before, however, it became apparent from the outset that something different was being planned.
On Mr Burden’s instructions, his mouth was sealed with wide sticking plaster, his hands and feet bound with white adhesive tape to the arms and legs of his chair. The tape was marked by signatures which were to be examined after the séance concluded. After this was completed two folding screens were placed at right angles about his seated form to create an open topped box ‘cabinet. A reel-to-reel tape recorder was switched to standby, and all lights were extinguished so that the room was in total darkness. Ron, Nicola, Ellen and Tony were seated in a semi-circle about the cabinet. Tony gave invocation to the Spirit.
After approximately ten minutes of silence, sounds resembling speech were heard to come from the “cabinet”. These sounds were soon recognised as Joey’s greeting. Joey then explained to the sitters that a “voice box” of energy had been constructed in the solar plexus region of the medium Len Burden’s body, and it was by such means that his voice manifested. Joey was then asked what he feels is the purpose of the Foundation and how it should be formed. What follows here is the transcript of the inaugural address.
As you have seen fit to call it a Foundation, then that word is good. It will be a Foundation whereby all creeds and denominations, all people who are psychic by right of birth; can express themselves in any manner, that the guide is able through them. Where there will be no indifference of colour or creed, or personality. A Foundation for all earth plane children where the opportunity is given them to develop their natural abilities if they so desire. Where people can meet on common ground; where there is no station, rank or file; where all have the same right of opinion, where all have the same right of expression.
We are coming closer to your earth plane as we have never done before. Remember little brothers and sisters this is the last age of all. We do not judge, we seek to return to your earth plane to help, instruct and guide you. We seek to return in order that your earth plane which is full of trial and tribulation, where brother, father and son no longer love one another; where there is turmoil and ignorance as well as fear of physical death, to help each and every one of you. Indeed, now that you have brought yourself nearer, we seek the opportunity to instruct and guide you more fully.
Tell others, have debates, have discussions. Let no one think they are more advanced than another, and if it is so, then far better they walk back in order that the one behind can walk forward and catch up with those who are going ahead.
We say we like the word Foundation; we approve of it. Where all those in the Foundation that you have named after me can appreciate and express themselves, whether they follow the teachings of the Master Jesus or whether they follow the work and examples of Buddha and Moses. Whether indeed they are agnostic and have not conceived or acknowledged the understanding of what is termed God. Even the atheist can be respected for his views, provided he respects yours.
We are returning with Love, coming closer to many young people, who are old souls that have been born so that the light
which is dim can be much brighter in the years that lay ahead. In your Golden Age, the last years of all, we
seek to assist and become as one with you. There is division only by volume not by love or mind.
The body, however, is not the full extent of expression; it is merely the extension, like your hand, of the mind. If you paint and your hand holds the brush, your hands are the extension of your mind. What is being expressed on that canvas comes from that inner flow, that inner spark. When you write words, it is merely that your
hand holds the pen; the pen is expressing your mind. When you speak, your voice is the expression of your higher Self, whether the actions be good or bad. FOR THERE IS ONLY ONE LAW, THE LAW OF GOOD, BUT IN EXPRESSING THAT ONE LAW THERE COMES DISHARMONY. We approve of what you call a Foundation.
And a Foundation for many in time it will surely be. ………………………… And God Bless you “.
A short while after the close of communication the Medium rapped on the chair arm to indicate his return to consciousness. Light was let into the room. All present examined the tapes binding Len Burden to the chair and the tape that sealed his mouth. Signatures made across the joins in the tapes were undisturbed and there was no evidence present to suggest that the tapes had been removed and replaced. Everyone concluded that given this impressive
demonstration of Direct Voice mediumship and accounting for all that was said the Foundation should become a physical reality without delay.
Joey as he is affectionately known was born in 1834 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Born of parents who were freed slaves, hardship and poverty overshadowed his earthly life. He married, raised a family and practised his inherent psychic faculties as the occasion demanded. In 1901, at the age of 67, he passed on into the next world.
In his new life, Joey dedicated himself to understanding and developing his latent psychic nature. He chose the spiritual pathway of guiding mortal souls and to that end became the main guide of the Medium Leonard Burden. The entire process of Joey’s guidance is directed toward the goal of self-realisation, encouraging others to make life enhancing decisions and increasing their awareness of personal responsibility. Joey teaches that understanding is not realised without effort and spiritual value achieved without self-sacrifice. Further, if man is to survive himself, the persuasion of Real Knowledge must influence the very roots of our human consciousness. Learn humility he urges, be cheerful in spirit, and listen to the intuitive voice of ageless wisdom.
Initially Tony and his pupils who formed the JCPF met at Moulin Avenue and at the house of Ron Pomroy in Fratton, conducting healing sessions and trance teaching communications. Later during 1968 it was realised that a formal structure would be necessary if the ideas implicit in Joseph Carey’s inaugural address were to be developed. Objectives and a ruling structure was created and submitted via a solicitor to the Charity Commission in 1970. The final draft describing the JCPF as religious based organisation was approved in June 1971 by the Commissioners as meeting the requirements of a charity. A special meeting was convened in October 1971 and these rules accepted as the J.C.P.F. Constitution. In 1977 full charitable status was achieved. Initially Tony and his pupils who formed the JCPF met at Moulin Avenue and at the house of Ron Pomroy in Fratton, conducting healing sessions and trance teaching communications. Later during 1968 it was realised that a formal structure would be necessary if the ideas implicit in Joseph Carey’s inaugural address were to be developed. Objectives and a ruling structure was created and submitted via a solicitor to the Charity Commission in 1970. The final draft describing the JCPF as religious based organisation was approved in June 1971 by the Commissioners as meeting the requirements of a charity. A special meeting was convened in October 1971 and these rules accepted as the J.C.P.F. Constitution. In 1977 full charitable status was achieved.
A research activity was also set up to foster interest in the developing relationship between psychic and spiritual practice and the material sciences. Astrology was added to the programme of services by Jenni Shell who later set up the MAAT society that held its meetings at the combined hall and house centre. Public meetings were held there providing Spiritualist services, demonstrating mediumship and lecturing on psychic science and philosophy of Spiritualism. Several healing activities were formed to provide services to the public. The JCPF became a member of the British Alliance of Healing Organisations. In 1989 these premises were sold and new premises bought in College Street, Portsmouth. A floatation chamber was installed and complementary and alternative therapies given facility to practise. These premises became known as the Phoenix Holistic Centre. The symbol of the phoenix having been given by one of Len’s communicators some years previous, along with a quote from the roman poet Horace –the quote ‘seize the day’ became the motto of the JCPF.
Pam Ashenden now a Astrology teacher set up an Astrology programme and Tarot programmes were also added to our services. Activities were conducted in the Southampton area and in Sussex. Whilst the JCPF practised successfully during this occupation the administrative effort was considerable, mostly borne by Tony, his wife and a few dedicated members, so these premises were sold in 2001 and activities continued to be carried out in the Buckland Community Centre until in 2005 when shop premises were leased in Kingston road and named the Phoenix Healing Centre.
Since 2009 until the pandemic closed all our public activities in 2020, the JCPF was holding its public meetings and some of its development courses in community centres. Regularly holding Mind Body Soul fayres in public venues and courses developing mediums and healers.
Whilst the charity had to be set up as a religious organisation its Spiritualist values have always been interpreted as an expression of psychic and spiritual development in a worldwide context. A philosophy that accepts guidance and direction from the World of Spirit, dedicated to the study and unfoldment of man’s latent possibilities as a spiritual being incarnate. The Religious Philosophy and Psychic Science of Spiritualism are recognised to embrace both orthodox and unorthodox interpretations.