THE JAMES C. THOMSON and C. LESLIE THOMSON MEMORIAL TRUST

WORKS IN THE SPHERE OF HIGH LEVEL HEALTH EDUCATION THROUGH THE NATURE CURE APPROACH

THE SYMBOL

The Nature Cure symbol was designed by one of James C. Thomson’s tutors, Dr Henry Lindlahr, who set himself the task of making a pictorial diagram of the Nature Cure philosophy. Nature Cure believes in the wholeness of man and thus approaches health and disease with this whole concept resolutely in mind.

The symbol represents man as a circle divided into three parts: at the base is the physical and on the sides are man’s mental and ethical qualities. The faculties that study each of these aspects are named on the sides of a truncated pyramid, truncated as no one area of research has yet arrived at the whole truth. Man will continue to learn more and more about himself and these inter-relationships as time unfolds. At the four corners, outside the circle, are the simple symbols of man’s origins: earth, air, fire and water.

Nature Cure is at the forefront in helping human beings as whole people. Reaching a greater understanding of this philosophy and its practical application was the life-time work of the two Nature Cure pioneers, James C. Thomson and C. Leslie Thomson. The Trust’s objectives are to continue their work by developing the practice of Nature Cure and by extending opportunities for education in the principles and methods of Nature Cure philosophy.

THE JAMES C. THOMSON AND C. LESLIE THOMSON

MEMORIAL TRUST

Founded in 1961 by the incorporated Society of Registered Naturopaths.

Registered Charity No. 200058

The objects of the Trust are: -

To promote and encourage the study and practice of Naturopathy: -

(a) To foster advancement of knowledge in Naturopathy by promoting research therein.

(b) To promote and further education of students and practitioners in Naturopathy and in the general practice of Nature Cure and Natural Healing.

James C. Thomson (1887-1960) was a courageous pioneer who by personal experience of severe illness was directed towards the Naturopathic approach to health and its maintenance. This was, in fact, a renewed interest at 18 yrs of age due to having developed a desperate state of ill-health whilst in the Navy. Discharged from the Navy with an acute lung condition, he now clutched at straws and looked at his previously acquired books on water treatment, physical culture and dietetic reform. These books, which he had earlier used for amusement with his medical student friends, were now read again with a sense of desperate hope, which, coupled with his inbuilt love of challenges, set him on the road to personal health development.

This search for a higher standard of health, later achieved, was the beginning of an outstanding career; both have has been vividly described in his son’s biography of his father, “James C. Thomson: Pioneer Naturopath”, by C. Leslie Thomson. Copies of this are obtainable from the Trust’s secretary.

C. Leslie Thomson, B.Sc., (1914-1992) trained as a Naturopath with a four-year, full-time course at The Edinburgh School of Natural Therapeutics (E.S.N.T.) which was founded by his father in 1914. When qualified, he became his father’s very able practitioner assistant and later Director of Studies at the E.S.N.T., a position which he held for many successful years.


James C. Thomson 1887-1960	C. Leslie Thomson 1919-1992

Both James C. Thomson and C. Leslie Thomson had very extensive professional experience of educating patients towards improved health using the Naturopathic methods that James C. Thomson had practised so successfully upon himself.

James C.Thomson pioneered the highest standards for training Nature Cure practitioners in Europe, and his E.S.N.T. course developed into a five-year, full-time training, which, when it was associated with the Kingston Clinic, gave the students very extensive practical experience before qualifying.

James C. Thomson and C. Leslie Thomson have both been most important authors of Nature Cure literature, much of which is still available from T.K. Publications, Coach House, Kingston, 293 Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh, Scotland EH16 5UQ. A s.a.e. will obtain the current book list.

The Trust in recent years has co-operated with The Incorporated Society of Registered Naturopaths (I.S.R.N. which in 1994 celebrated its 60th year of professional standards and activities) in its active training programmes. Although there is no longer a full-time training programme, the I.S.R.N., with the Trust’s co-operation, runs post-graduate training courses in Naturopathy for allied professional practitioners; for example, qualified osteopaths, and other qualified manipulative therapists.

This valuable work of the Trust and the I.S.R.N. has been made possible through the generosity of past patients of J.C.T and C.L.T, and of other I.S.R.N. practitioners. By leaving gifts to the Trust in their wills, or, as so many have done, giving money from time to time, they have supported the educational programmes in which the Trust and the I.S.R.N. are actively involved.

The financing of Nature Cure education is entirely in the hands of such individual supporters, unlike training in most other spheres of education which receive money and equipment from government and from industries which stand to gain from the research carried out by the students. Nature Cure offers little if any advantage to industry other than perhaps the shoe manufacturers and the organic food industry!

The Trust’s activities are in the hands of the Nature Cure supporters. The Trustees are ever mindful of the value of the support received over the last thirty and more years and would welcome your consideration of the pages that follow.

Donations, no matter how small or large, now or in the future, will be gratefully received and put to good use. The Trustees would like to see a training establishment in the future, one that would maintain the Thomson standards of Nature Cure qualification. This dream could become a reality with your help.

The Trust celebrates the lives of James C. Thomson and C. Leslie Thomson and other practitioners of Nature Cure in its educational activities with the I.S.R.N. Please help us to continue this valuable work which does not receive, and is unlikely to receive, any government or industrial finance.

ALL COMMUNICATIONS CAN BE SENT TO:

Hon. Secretary:

H. Leslie Harrison

Orchard Croft

24a Beckfield Lane

Acomb

YORK

Y02 5RJ

THE TRUSTEES ARE: -

Peter Fenton

James W. Johnson

James Leask C.A.

Mary C. King B.A., M.A., Ph.D.

H. Leslie Harrison

Thank you for your attention

A copy of C. Leslie Thomson’s Biography is also obtainable from the Trust’s Secretary or T.K. Publications

THE JAMES C. THOMSON AND C. LESLIE THOMSON

MEMORIAL TRUST

A brief word about donations.

All financial gifts are welcomed by the Trustees, whether they be single payments, regular payments or bequests.

However, it may be worthwhile emphasising that the Government encourages certain types of charitable giving by offering special concessions both to the receiving charity and, in some instances, to the donor. This is subject to the proviso that the giver is a U.K. tax payer.

All single donations of £250 or more enable the Trust to claim back the basic rate tax previously paid by the donor. Consequently, a single gift of £600 would actually be worth £800 to the Trust. Should the donor be a higher rate tax payer, the difference (currently 15%) may be claimed by the donor in their annual tax return. In this situation, the above example would cost the donor only £480.

Similar concessions are available as a result of donors who are prepared to covenant a regular amount for a period of at least 4 years. In this instance there is no minimum amount, and the covenantor would be released from their obligations upon death or on expiry of the covenant, whichever occurs sooner. Should special circumstances prevent the donor from continuing their covenant, the Trust will give special consideration to releasing the donor from the covenant.

Forms are provided overleaf for single donations (either by cheque, postal order or credit/charity card) and also for covenanted donations. For those donors prepared to covenant, a direct debit is provided for their convenience.

The Trust employs the specialist services of the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) to administer some of these facilities and to ensure that all tax due is collected. Should you have any queries, they will be pleased to advise you. CAF may be contacted on 01892 540040.

DONATIONS, COVENANTED DONATIONS OR BEQUESTS WILL ALL BE MOST WELCOME BY THE TRUSTEES AND WILL ASSIST THEM TO FULFIL THE AIMS AND OBJECTS OF THE TRUST.

DONATIONS

Cheques and Postal Orders payable to: -

THE JAMES C. THOMSON AND C. LESLIE THOMSON

MEMORIAL TRUST

REGISTERED CHARITY No. 200058

Please post to:

THE HON TREASURER

c/o ORCHARD CROFT

24A BECKFIELD LANE

ACOMB,

YORK Y02 5RJ