Like a sardine in a can of worms, I squirmed in an Over-55s Club. I am 64. The air buzzed with endless chatter about grandchildren, who's doing what, who's got what, and so on—an unending stream of talk that felt completely alien to me. Awkwardly I tried to join in but with nothing to say, I could only speak about my life on the road, touring and in bands.
Sadly, every word I spoke was met with silent disapproval and smirking disbelief, as if my experiences had never really happened. After a life of sacrifice, hard work, and earned respect, I was faced with a harsh question:
‘How did I end up here, with the life I lived dismissed as fantasy?’
Like many who took the risky path of a creative career, I gave up conventional security and family for my art. As a woman, the climb was steeper—recognition came slowly and only through struggle. It wasn't easy, but it was worth it.
Yet I here found myself amid the same small-minded judgment and gossip I worked so hard to leave behind in my youth. It’s baffling how the respect you fought to earn can erode so easily with age.
This realisation sparked the creation of the Temple of Ideas.
The Temple emerged as a sanctuary for creative spirits who chose the road less travelled, bypassing conventional paths to pursue their passions. It also embraces those whose creative calling was unrequited, snuffed out by fear, doubt, or societal expectations. Our mission is to honour the experiences and contributions of older artists, writers, musicians, and creatives, providing both a real-world platform and an online presence for those bypassed by the digital revolution.
Our gatherings are inspired by the salons of the 17th and 18th centuries—relaxed, yet vibrant. They often feature impromptu poetry, spontaneous dancing, music, comedy, group karaoke sing-alongs, or unexpected debates. Members bring their music, art, photography, poems, or ideas to share.
For those who’ve always wanted to explore their artistic side but feared looking foolish: if you can’t afford to look ridiculous now, when will you? Our events are so lively, you'd think everyone was drunk—though we don’t serve alcohol.
We're not about networking, dating, social climbing, or the cutthroat rat race of careerist ambition—we left all that behind in our youth. Instead, we focus on genuine connection and creative fulfilment.
Our events are member-run, with everyone pitching in—bringing food to share, contributing to the entertainment, and helping to clean the space so it's left better than we found it. While most events are free, we welcome donations to support the community. Our gatherings include salon-style afternoons, open mics, afternoon discos, film meetups, Indian vegetarian buffets, lunch dates, artist showcases, and co-hosted events with other community groups—these are just the beginning.
Our ultimate goal is a permanent, 24/7, member-run clubhouse in Central London—a warm, living room-style sanctuary for creation, performance, and connection. This space will be a stark contrast to the corporate coffee chains that dominate the city.
We envision comfy sofas, armchairs, a kitchen, Wi-Fi, and a performance area. This is designed to address the isolation many older artists face, especially in light of London's property crisis and rising fuel costs. With one in three older adults facing chronic loneliness, our clubhouse aims to restore a sense of community—a second home for creative souls who often live in cramped spaces and have little room for connection.
It’s a far cry from the usual Over-55s facilities, and that’s the point. We aim to transform senior spaces by offering a sense of empowerment and agency to older people, who are often patronised and treated like children.
My drive to protect and preserve the respect and legacy of older artists stems from a painful personal experience. In 2002, I co-founded Gearslutz.com (now Gearspace), a major online forum for audio engineers and music producers. But my journey took a dark turn when my closest friend of 25 years and business partner stole the business, along with my pension for old age. Decades of trust were shattered, and I found myself embroiled in a traumatic legal battle. I had put my music career on hold for five years to build the business, and the lawsuit dragged on for another three. Though I won, lawyers pressured me into accepting a small one-time settlement, sacrificing the long-term security I had worked for. The betrayal was like a Shakespearean tragedy, leaving me broken and leading to a PTSD diagnosis. But it also sparked an unshakable determination to fight for what older artists deserve: dignity, legacy, and the security we’ve earned.
After a respected career as a recording artist, songwriter, music producer, and website entrepreneur, my hard work and achievements should have ensured a comfortable retirement. Instead, I find myself isolated in a cramped London flat.
But I suspect I’m not alone—there are others like me, those who didn’t get the winning lottery ticket and are dismissed for not hitting the jackpot.
The Temple of Ideas isn’t just a group—it’s a movement. It’s for anyone who has been side-lined, marginalised, ridiculed for their dreams, or told their best years are over. We are a collective of rebellious creative souls over 55, still pushing boundaries, still challenging perceptions, and proving that the best is yet to come…
Meg Lee Chin - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meg_Lee_Chin
https://gearwarz.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/templeofideas
https://templeofideas.org
Ditto !!!
Love this guest blog ...... thanks for sharing the opportunity to join the temple of ideas!