Phil Vallack has died at the age 85. A writer, artist and sculptor, Phil became well-known as author of
the "Free Sun" guide books through which many were introduced to the delights of naturist beaches in Britain and Europe.

At a time when information about naturism was only available to those willing to join BN or through the somewhat dubious pages of Health and Efficiency magazine, Phil Vallack's guide to "1,200 beaches in Britain and Europe where you can sunbathe and swim without clothes" was available on the shelves of your local W.H.Smith shop.

In the pre-internet era "Free Sun" was an invaluable source for would-be naturists or those looking for new places to visit. Many still find their by-now fragile and dog-eared paperback copies useful. The style was often as eccentric as the author himself, but contributions from readers and the publication of new editions - mine is a Sixth Edition from 1986 - kept the book up to date.

The book also gave the world the 'Free Sun Beach' - a term coined by Phil Vallack to distinguish those places frequented by devotees of a more open and less secretive style of naturism than that practised by sun club members and advocated by BN. He is also credited with having invented the term "Decent Exposure" to describe naturism.

Eventually, Phil 'retired' from publishing Free Sun (and its companion guide "Inland Free Sun") in 1992 and the title passed on to Coast and Country Publications

Free Sun was not the only book to emerge from the home in Hastings which Phil shared with his wife Diana. His other works included:

Naked as the Day (1983)

Nude as a Newt (1991) - A Sideways Look at Social Nudity" - was, by turns, both thought provoking and an hilarious perspective on social nudity.

Living Sculpture - Nudism into Art (1997) was Phil's last book. In it he looked at some of the myths and fallacies surrounding naturism and art.

Without doubt, many people owe Phil Vallack a debt of gratitude for opening up the secretive world of naturism and helping them toward a better way of life. Truly a 'grand old man' of British naturism, he will be greatly missed.

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