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The only fruitarian hospital in England was founded by Dr Josiah Oldfield.

Dr Oldfield was a close friend of Mahatma Gandhi and together, while at Oxford University, they founded the Fruitarian Society to promote vegetarianism.

In 1908 Dr Oldfield founded an 'open air' hospital at Greet, a small hamlet southwest of the village of Doddington in Kent. The estate of Greet Farm was almost derelict, with its oast house (later known as Ellens Court) open at one end. The Hospital, named Lady Margaret Manor, was referred to as a Fruitarian Village and consisted of chalets, lodges and cottages for the patients. It was surrounded by countryside and woods where the convalescents and visitors could enjoy the sun traps, hammocks in the woods, sun and air baths, grass baths and dew baths'. The latter no doubt led to rumours and suspicions amongst villagers as to the 'goings on' at the hospital.

In 1935 the cottage at Lady Margaret Manor where Dr Oldfield was living was destroyed by fire, as well as his extensive library of dietetic books probably the finest collection in the world.

However, he remained living at the estate, almost as a hermit, in the 'Monk's Hut', a converted woodshed. A bathroom was added but had no door; the only access to it was through a hole near the eaves of the hut which was reached by a ladder. If he could access his bathroom, Dr Oldfield felt reassured he had not succumbed to rheumatism. He died in 1953 at the age of 89 years.

During WW2 Ellens Court at Lady Margaret Manor was taken over by a charitable organisation,which arranged holidays for deprived children living in the East End of London.

After the war Ellens Court became a youth hostel.

Today the building is run as a residence for adults with learning difficulties.

Photography © Jeremy Sage