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I wonder if any of you ever visited what used to be called Tyringham Naturopathic Clinic, near Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire? It is no longer in existence and some years back Tyringham Hall was sold as a private residence, but it is a place that holds a special place in my heart.
I was in my early 20s when my mother booked for the two of us to attend for a week. My mother was not in the best of health and thought that a few days of nurturing would do her good. Sadly, though, in the end, they would not accept her due to her health issues but she suggested I should go on my own. It was quite an adventure as I had never been to anything like a spa or health farm but I was excited to learn about wellbeing and I was also keen to shed a few lbs.
Little did I know then what a profound effect it would have on me. In fact, it ignited a flame of interest in the world of health and wellness that led me toward my life-long fascination with the subject of diet and fitness.
But Tyringham Clinic was different from a Health Spa. It was based on the principles of naturopathic remedies and involved only raw food and it was all about making you feel well. It did not offer pampering. And there is no question, it was invigorating and cleansing and gave everyone a tremendous ‘tonic’! At the end of my week, I felt so well I was ready to conquer the world!
Some of the treatments were ‘interesting’ – my euphemism for challenging! This included the ‘sitz bath’ where one sat in a bath with two halves – one filled with hot water and the other with freezing cold! You sat in one and placed your feet in the other then, after a few minutes, turned around and swapped over. This process was repeated several times. Another treatment was the ‘Scottish Douche’ which involved standing in a shower naked with an attendant who had two jets of water – one hot and the other cold - and a tub of sea salt. After jet-washing my back with ice-cold water, she rubbed sea salt all over my back, rubbing it in quite hard! Then I was hosed down with warm water, then cold again! That sequence continued several times. Once I got over the shock, I have to admit it made me feel amazing!
I smile as I remember attending the yoga session and feeling incredibly impressed by the age of the teacher who was in her 70s!
A key part of the week was fasting as everyone was put on a three-day fast! No food at all for two days - just water – then I think we had apple or vegetable juice plus water for day three. From day four we were given raw food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but not in large quantities. It was so welcome after not eating for three days.
At the end of the week, I felt incredibly alive. No question. I only lost a couple of pounds which was disappointing as I had hoped for more after such drastic food reduction but the benefit to my general wellbeing was extraordinary. So much so that I came away wanting to help other people to be fitter and healthier in their lives too.
Today, the subject of fasting has become very fashionable and science has proven that periods of fasting are unquestionably good for our gut. We don’t have to fast for three days thankfully, but leaving a longer gap overnight between meal times, or during the day, can really help our insides to be healthier. Mary explains the science behind this research in her section later. I am sure you will find it fascinating.
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The Hall was the work of architect Sir John Soane (1753 – 1837) who is widely recognised as one of England’s greatest architects during the late Georgian era. Over his long career he developed a highly idiosyncratic neo-classical style yet sadly, by the late Victorian era, with its largely gothic architectural influences, Soane’s legacy was deemed unfashionable and fell out of favour. Half of his buildings were either demolished or altered beyond all recognition, including his work on the Bank of England building in Threadneedle Street, London.
Perhaps his most recognisable work surviving today would be the Grade II listed Georgian manor known as "Cricket House", built in 1786 in Cricket St. Thomas, Somerset. Now a Warner's Hotel, it was previously owned by the Father-in-Law of scriptwriter Peter Spence who famously used it as "Grantleigh Manor" in his 1979 sitcom To the Manor Born. 
