A NEW book on one of the pioneers of Malvern's water cure has just been launched.

Janet Grierson's Temperance, Therapy and Trilobites is a biography of Dr Ralph Grindrod, who was one of the major figures in Malvern life at the end of the 19th Century.

The book launch, under the auspices of Malvern Civic Society, was held at the Lyon Room, Malvern College, where the guests included the Malvern of Mayor, Whinray Coates.

At the launch, Janet Grierson was elected an honorary life member of Malvern Civic Society in recognition of her generous gesture of donating all the profits from the sale of the book to the society.

Dr Ralph Grindrod, a man of typical mid-Victorian zeal and energy, was distinguished in not one but several areas of interest. Not only was he a qualified medical practitioner, he was also a leading light in the then-powerful temperance movement, lending his intellect and oratorical powers to the fight against the demon drink.

Born in 1811, he moved from his native Lancashire to Malvern in 1850, having become interested in the water cure.

He set up shop in Townshend House, on the corner of what is now College Road and Priory Road, and began a successful practice. His influence on Malvern in the second half of the 19th Century was profound. He set up the Malvern Advertiser newspaper, was deeply involved with the town's sanitation, and was one of the first to lobby for the creation of a hospital, following a horrific accident in the town centre involving sulphuric acid.

He was also interested in science and built up a formidable collection of fossils, including trilobites; at the end of his life the collection was sold to Oxford University Museum.

Janet Grierson is the author of another study of a water cure pioneer, Dr Wilson and his Malvern Hydro, which may be familiar to many readers. Temperance, Therapy and Trilobites is published by Cora Weaver and is available at £5.99, from Beacon Books, W H Smith, Malvern, and direct from the publisher at 4 Hall Green, Malvern, WR14 3QX.