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on-line News and Views page 2 Behind the Scenes There is Great Activity.... Those who watch our web sites, particularly SPAGAZERS.com will have seen a number of evolutionary changes over the last 6 months. We are making these changes to enhance the range of services that we provide under our Spagazer name, ensuring that we keep ahead of the market in terms of innovation and relevance in the future. Pick and Tick on SPAGAZERS.com now has many new and original search criteria to choose from, our Spagazer emailing now operates on a new system and the overall web site has been given a complete new look. These are just some of the changes enabled by Hyperstring.net our computer boffins. In the picture Chris and Paul can be seen outside their West London offices after a hectic weekend session with us from the SRF. If you think their skills are relevant to your business why not drop them an email at sales@hyperstring.net to find out more? It was Paul who created our web site in 2000 and this has enabled us to develop from a relatively small UK Directory into the galaxy of international services for the spa industry today. NEW 2007 Loyalty Package for entries on SPAGAZERS The Spas Research Fellowship has announced a new "all-in" package for long standing entries on Spagazers, the international spas directory. To qualify an entry must have been on Spagazers for more than one year. A typical entry on Spagazers can cost up to £300 per annum however an "all singing, all dancing" entry, which includes enhancements not normally available, can be had for £150 UK or $260 US. The Supernova entry as it is known, includes logo, up to 400 words of text, up to 10 flick-flack sequential pictures, background colour or design, animated message up to 10 words, link to spa web site, unlimited ticks under the Pick and Tick criteria, free construction and amending, and free BISA Accreditation endorsement if secured. To add an entry on Spagazers, go to www.spagazers.com by clicking on Spas Directory on menu left and click on "Add Your Details". For more information on the world famous spas directory click on "Directory info" on the menu top left. Did you see us at World Travel Market in November 2006, Excel, London? We presented two seminars: Monday 2pm - SRF - Health and Wellness Tourism - past, present and future. Tuesday 2pm - BISA - Accreditation - necessary new quality standards for spa tourism. These are available on our Occasional Papers (4 & 6) and Press Information respectively. In addition we had our stand in the spa area of the show promoting the new look Spagazers - The Spas Directory, together with BISA International Spa Accreditation, which was being relauched at the WTM. Click the panel left to find out more from the WTM web site. In the picture Sue Arnold of the SRF prepares for a busy four days on the stand. Dr Mike Langham We are sorry to record the death of Mike Langham, eminent spa historian of Buxton, UK in October 2006. Sadly Mike passed away on 8th October after a short illness bravely borne. He leaves a wife Barbara. He authored a number of major works on the history of Buxton Spa and these will become a permanent record of his scholarly abilities. His many friends will miss his considerable contribution to serious local history research. Patron Saint of local healing springs and wells rediscovered It is not everyday that a long forgotten martyr saint is rediscovered. The legend of St Werstan has been lost since the 16th century but has now been re-established thanks to original research. The history is spas is inextricably linked with that of Holy Healing Wells and for those interested in spa history this story makes facinating reading. "The Illumination of St Werstan the Martyr" by Cora Weaver & Bruce Osborne, is now published in 2006. It comprises 53 pages, 20 illustrations, 2 maps, Size: A4 This scholarly work re-examines the legend of the founding of Malvern Spa in the 11th century. It concludes that St Werstan was the original martyr saint who established his hermitage near the present day St Ann's Well. This site is believed to have been once called St Werstan's Well and was an original mediaeval Holy Well dedicated to this local saint. His legend is recorded in the ancient windows of Malvern Priory but has been erroneously dismissed by some historians as a fabrication. This published paper puts his life and work into a proper perspective and as such plays an important role in understanding Malvern's history and St Werstan's relevance to the local Springs and Wells. For further details see our Bookshop by clicking on the menu top left. The Spa at Boot Hill The infamous Boot Hill may not be the place to expect to indulge in spa luxuries and get healthy treatments. A headstone adorned with with a pair of crossed six-guns and the death hand in poker records the demise of the notorious Doc Holliday, who is commemorated in Linwood Cemetery on Jasper Mountain. However the locality is also where you will find Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where the Doc arrived in 1887. At the time it was a small frontier town, the big attraction being the hot springs and vapour caves. Some said the hot springs would heal the Doc of his consumption and Glenwood Springs was later to become a world-class spa resort. At the age of 36, in September 1887 the Doc lapsed into a coma. Having escaped the noose four times and been shot five times it was unbelievable that he would die with his boots off in bed. On the 8th Nov. he awoke and drank a large whisky. "This is funny" he said and passed away. The hearse headed for the Linwood cemetery but got stuck in mud so they buried him at the foot of the hill. Precisely where is lost and he may have been removed up the hill some time later, who knows? For more information on Glenwood Springs click on the view above. Only in America? Send us your funny pictures for inclusion on Spagazers. Over Due, Over Budget and Over Here! Britain's thermal water spa - open at last! Britain's only natural thermal source water spa is open from August 2006, years behind schedule and over budget. Located in the west of England, a mecca for spa enthusiasts since Roman times, it should have been finished for the Millennium. The original Restoration Development Brief for the project was formulated in 1988. Nestling into the town's Georgian architecture, the giant glass cube features a rooftop al fresco hot tub, open winter and summer, with dazzling views over the surrounding Somerset hills. Backed by the local Bath and North East Somerset municipal council, with lottery funding, the spa also should have cost £12.2-million pounds - but the final price tag will exceed £40-million pounds local officials say. Bath is the only place in Britain where hot springs bubble to the surface, but thermal bathing has been off-limits to the public for two decades, after a health scare forced the shutdown of previous antiquated facilities. For £20.00 visitors can now bathe in the new facilites for two hours. The nearby ruins of Bath's Roman baths remain one of the nation's top tourist draws. For details of the new thermal resort click on the picture. See also the book review - next news item but one. Flagellation - a cure at the spa? For those who keep up to date with Spagazers. com The Spas Directory you will know that we have considerable increased the number of search criteria that you can now search by. These are searched via our enhanced Pick and Tick facility. However how far do you go without straying into uncharted waters for a spa search facility? We recently had a suggestion that Flagellation was a therapy worthy of inclusion. It was pointed out that birch twigs used in a light scourging are a traditional addition to the sauna; intended to stimulate circulation rather than libido. Apparently the Romans used whipping as a cure for numerous ailments including rheumatism and fevers. The 20th century boarding school was known for its use of the birch to cure just about everything with boys. Also a good flogging in many historic scenarios was seen as a cure for personality disorders as well as a punishment. Then there are the places of ill repute and that is where we might be out of our depth. The question is should we include flagellation in our search criteria for therapies, regardless of what it stimulates? If you know of a spa that promotes such therapy please let us know where and what it seeks to cure. You might also check on Pick and Tick to see if we have decided to give it a go, by clicking on the hooker left she will take you straight to the right place - dare you resist? Bath, the UK's premier thermal resort has a new history published One of the most written about spas in the world has had another book published on its rich history. This is a new book timed fortuitously to coincide with the long awaited opening of Bath's thermal spa resort. But is there anything further to research and publish that has not already been extensively covered? Davis and Bonsall in A History of Bath clearly demonstrate that the answer is yes. History is continually being added and this book brings the reader right up to date with recent events. Also many historians specialise within a subject area and their work enables the overall picture to be adjusted as new facts are discovered and interpreted. A History of Bath brings the reader the modern day interpretation in the context of the overall panorama of Bath’s history since prehistory to present. And then there are advances in technology, not available to past historians. Davis and Bonsall use computer technology and modern publishing methods with magnificent and prolific full colour illustrations to produce an outstanding work. This is a substantial book of 335 printed pages and illustrations. It is not a quick read. For anyone interested or involved in the heritage of this health resort it is a “must have” item. Residents and visitors will see this book as a valuable addition to their collection, both as an immediate read and as a reference work for later. ISBN number 1-85936-112-9 or 978-1-85936-112-2 available at £20.00 from Carnegie Publishing www.carnegiepublishing.com and all good book shops. We have now publishing a more detailed review of this new book, to read it click archives/reviews on the menu top left and then scroll down. New spa as a haven of peace in the midst of conflict While all the news shows the terrible escalation of violence that is happening in the Gaza strip with Israel and the Palestinians, there are good things happening too including the opening of the amazing La Luna Day Spa in Nazareth. The owner and his family are working with Israeli Jews, Israeli Christians, and Israeli Muslims to create the day spa. The current conflict will probably reduce tourist traffic a little, but if you or someone you know goes to Israel make sure they stop by La Luna. They won't regret it. To find out more have a look at the entry on Spagazers.com by clicking the logo above. The Spas Directory goes into new era of development with Spagazers Established at the turn of the century, The Spas Directory was the first and original web search facility for spas world wide. With hits exceeding half a million a month, it quickly became a valuable tool for the rapidly expanding spa industry to use in promoting spa facilites to the consumer. Powered by a unique search engine facility, the spa user can search in a variety of ways for a spa that meets their specific needs. Now the Directory is enjoying a new era of improvements to its service, which includes integrating a range of services from the Spas Research Fellowship under its Spagazers label. This is seen as a progressive move that reflects the improved technology of the web yet still retains the core values that made www.thespasdirectory.com the greatest. To explore the ever improving world directory of spas go to www.spagazers.com or click on the logo. To find out more about Spagazer services go to www.spagazers.info MAKING A SPLASH AT WTM WITH HEALTH AND WELLNESS Health and wellness tourism - one of the industry’s fastest growing sectors worldwide - is a major focus at World Travel Market 2006. The global event will be working with the British International Spa Association and the Spas Research Fellowship to assist delegates understand more about where social trends find immediate reflection in the latest developments. “This is no longer the sole domain of well-heeled women with nothing else to do”, said Fiona Jeffery, Managing Director of World Travel Market. “Well Being is now the bottom line for every consumer. People want to look and feel better, lose weight, slow the effects of ageing, relieve pain and discomfort, manage stress and use vitamins, natural minerals and treatments to improve their health. Spas in particular are becoming extremely relevant to today’s traveller and are becoming more affordable, targeting the middle income groups as well as the wealthy. We are delighted to be working with our friends at BISA and the Spas Research Fellowship who are at the forefront of this whole sector. They will help us provide the right kind of information that is now crucial to almost everyone working in the industry." She said that the health and wellness focus at this year’s World Travel Market at ExCeL London between 6-9 November was part of WTM’s Insight programme, working with leading experts to provide the very latest market intelligence. BISA, set up by professionals to establish quality standards in tandem with education and training for the spa industry, and the Spas Research Fellowship, promoting education, research and scholarship into all aspects of spa and health resorts and the use of mineral and spa waters, will be organising seminars on health and wellness at World Travel Market. BISA also plans to launch a third generation development of its international spa accreditation scheme on the opening day. Dr. Bruce Osborne, Chairman Spas Research Fellowship and BISA Council member said: “Spas are now a key consideration for many holidaymakers and in recent years the quickest growing segment of the hospitality industry has been Hotels with Spas and Destination Spas. The indications are that spas that include overnight accommodation will become an even bigger factor in the consumer choice of destination. Rather than being merely an amenity offered at a hotel or resort, spas are the deciding factor. Spas are now a key consideration for many holidaymakers because they offer a relaxation and health component to the traditional holiday or break. For many professional and affluent holidaymakers the combination of accommodation and health enables the limited time available for a break to be utilised to maximum effect. As a result we have seen the spa industry world wide develop at an exponential rate in recent years." “Destination spas are the vital component in providing accommodation and general tourism services alongside health and wellbeing. The corresponding growth in air travel has enabled this effect to spread to every corner of the globe. There is a wide variety of therapies and treatments available, many of which have a distinct ethnic or regional bias. Others specialise in traditional spa treatments utilising natural waters. While many resorts offer pampering and general therapies, others can provide serious mainstream medical procedures. This all means that consumer choice is enormous. When sited in attractive locations, the combination of leisure and wellbeing is irresistible. Quality standards are essential if the industry is to prosper in the future and this is why the BISA Accreditation Scheme is vital. It gives consumers worldwide a measure of confidence in booking their adventure.” "The vehicle for promoting spas and BISA Accreditation is Spagazers.com, the Spas Directory. Operated by the Spas Research Fellowship, the Directory amasses data on spas and disseminates this information to consumers in a searchable format through Spagazers." He added: “We look forward to being at World Travel Market to help delegates understand more about the health and wellness sector, as well as details of our services and what they can mean for both the industry and consumers." For further information contact: World Travel Market - Jane Larcombe, telephone +44 (0) 1892 785071; email jane@janelarcombecommunciations.com New Research Findings - Spa Treatments for rehab. of alcohol and drug abusers Becky Wright, after considerable research into the subject, has now published her paper "Spa Treatments as a potential tool in the rehabilitation of people with alcohol and drug problems. Becky's background is with the Somerset Partnership, National Health Service and Social Care Trust UK. The lack of high quality, radomised clinical trials and controlled studies means that hard scientific evidence is just not available, a deficit that should now be addressed. What she found was that there was a mass of experience and anecdotal evidence that indicated that very positive effects could be achieved by "taking the waters". In particular detox procedures played an important role. The future opening of the Bath Spa thermal water complex was heralded as a valuable development including the more esoteric aspects of water worship at Bath. The potential value of proven treatments for drug abuse means that this subject should be identified as an information gap and that both the industry and external resources directed towards detailed scientific corroboration of her findings. For more details on this important paper see "Journal of Substance Use" April 2006; 11(2): 151-159 or contact Becky Wright spa.research@virgin.net (mention Spagazer News) St Chad - patron saint of medicinal waters St Chad is regarded as the missionary who introduced Christianity to the East Saxons. He was educated at the monastery of Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, of which he became the bishop. Upon his canonization, St Chad became the patron saint of medicinal springs. St Chad died in 672 and his body was buried near the church of St Mary’s, Lichfield. We have now investigated the background to St Chad and his relevance to spas through his connection with healing waters. If you would like to find out more click on the menu left "Occasional Papers" and then click paper 5. Bored with the news? Go to SPAGAZERS.com and explore the Spas Directory. Click here to go to spagazers.com