Seniors are being encouraged to pen their experiences to mark the 30th anniversary of Age Concern and Bermuda's 400th birthday.

The Write It Down Project aims to gather people's stories on what it means to be a senior, with plans to publish such reflections in 2010.

Fred Hassell, MBE, director of the Bermuda Senior Islanders' Centre and a past chairman of Age Concern, made the plea at a service to celebrate the organisation's 30th anniversary.

Mr. Hassell said: "Support our Write It Down Project in recognition of Bermuda's 400th anniversary.

"Have those 65 and over pen 500 words of what it means to be a senior living on the Island. They can write about their families, politics, or express their profoundest joys and fears of life and ageing."

He told The Royal Gazette: "If we can get these essays together we could ask Government to publish it to celebrate our anniversary.

"Stories about making nets for fishing boats and seeing the first car on the road, extraordinary things which, if we don't capture them, will disappear forever.

Governor Sir Richard Gozney, Minister of Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler, and Shadow Minister for Health and Seniors Louise Jackson, were among the dignitaries present at yesterday's commemoration at St. John's Anglican Church, Pembroke.

The Mount Zion AME Church Male Voice Choir sang a musical tribute while Age Concern patron Lady Jacqueline Swan and chairman Paget Wharton read selections from the Old and New Testaments.

The vision of Age Concern is to ensure that through collaboration with Government, businesses and non-profit organisations, everyone in Bermuda will receive "high quality, affordable services throughout their ageing years".

The charity began in Bermuda in 1978, and was founded by Tony Muirhead, who is now 93 and living in Florida.

Addressing the congregation yesterday, Mr. Hassell said: "Be reassured officers and members of Age Concern that your colleagues in Government ministries, senior homes, clubs and civic groups are happy to be your social partners.

"It's not difficult for us to follow your lead in accessing and addressing the humane and developmental issues facing seniors."

He said Age Concern also had a role to play in helping people to cope with death, dying and grief, with the decline of the traditional reliance on religion.

"Apprehension and the contemplation of the end of life, the inscrutable mystery of eternity and annihilation of the body and going to the unknown are fears that inspire us," said Mr. Hassell.

"Traditionally, faith communities guided us through these life changes, but with the decline in following institutions of faith, some may look to Age Concern for spiritual, psychological and philosophical guidance."

Reverend Nicholas Dill said: "We've come together to celebrate 30 years of Age Concern on these Islands. What a tremendous accomplishment has been achieved by this agency.

"I think the soul of a nation is revealed by those who care for those on its margins. Age Concern says something about our soul.

"Today we give thanks for the work of Age Concern. Today we want to pray that this land of Bermuda will never lose its soul, that it will continue to support those on the margins."