Back in 2019 the Duchess of Northumberland contacted BN to invite us to visit the gardens of Alnwick Castle. It didn’t take us long to say yes and a visit was arranged, writes Billy Ritchie.
Following its success, SANER contacted the gardens to request a return visit, once we had come out of the lockdown restrictions. To our surprise they asked if we would take part in a programme the Duchess was filming over the following two years.
In July 2021 around 47 keen naturists, including several first timers went along to the Gardens, and were introduced to the film crew who asked for volunteers to be filmed. The water features were turned on and so we had some fun. One unexpected addition to the Naturist evening was the Head Gardener who stripped off himself. As the evening was ending the film crew conducted interviews with many of us, including the gardener. As the evening was drawing to a close, I was sitting in the seat answering questions, from the producer regarding the visit and the gardens. Thankfully in the final cut the producer didn't use the takes where I was sitting shivering in the fading sun.
All in all it was a great experience and appearing on National TV isn’t daunting,
The programme is now complete and available to see on Channel 4. It's called 'The Duchess and her Magical Kingdom' and our visit is featured in episode one. When it was first on, I just waited for the comments and sure enough my sisters got in touch to comment on the coverage - they were thankful that it was filmed above the waist as the last time they saw me in that state of undress was when I was a baby!